When I announced the news to my math classes a few weeks ago, one of my students asked me a question that comes back to mind frequently in my brain, “Miss Harris how did you feel when you found out you had, you know (motions with hand) cancer?”
My response to the classroom: “I was sad. My fiancé and I each had our sad moments because cancer can be a scary word, but there is a lot of joy to be had too” I went on to explain.
Despite knowing this cancer has a 95% cure rate and having the knowledge that the journey of chemotherapy is temporary, mixed with all of the wonderful provisions, it is still easy to have sad moments over the joy.
Recently there have been more moments of worry, sadness, and situations that deem unwanted conversations and decisions as a result of the “domino effects,” as I call them, of cancer. And I have honestly begun to see more and more places where the enemy, spiritual warfare, tries to wiggle his way in and grab and twist with his claws in areas where he simply has no place of being.
Through sad tears on the altar, I was so refreshed by the time of prayer and anointing oil from my church this morning in Lynchburg. In my attempt to be strong, the tears still came. The pastor explained to the congregation and my church family my diagnosis, began to anoint me in oil, and boldly pray over me and over Ryan. This hymn was sang right before that time of prayer and the melody continued through the pastors words. “All the way my Savior leads me…” I couldn’t help but continue to replay and replay that promise in my head.
Even as I walked out of church I was stopped not once, not twice, but three times by separate individuals with encouragement for healing. They didn’t say much but they said enough, enough to bring joy.
Unknown Woman: “I just want to let you know I am praying for you. I had cancer when I was 34.” She said as she stands there full head of beautiful hair, husband beside her, healthy today.
Unknown Man: [literally stopped me by the exit stairs] “Jordan I just couldn’t help but be touched by your story and wanted to let you know I’ll be praying for you. I want you to know I get it, a part of what you’re going through, I had Stage 4 bone cancer.” I learned more that he went through 11 months of chemotherapy and multiple surgeries. He also stood there, young college student, now healthy and full of life.
Despite the enemy’s ways of trying to twist and decieve, I can’t tell you how encouraging these witness were and to see their testimonies through just them standing there before me helathy, giving reassurance that “life isn’t over at 25” for me.
It was simply too good not to share (even though I am biased becaues I have always had a soft spot in my heart for old hymns). That hymn ringing true that God IS a God of THROUGH (not beside, not infront of, but through) and that it’s because of Him, “ though a spirit joy I see”
Link to Spotify: Chris Tomlin (the modern version of the hymn)
Traditional Lyrics:
All the way my Savior leads me–
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
2 All the way my Savior leads me–
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for ev'ry trial,
Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.
3 All the way my Savior leads me–
Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.
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