- Bend In the Road

This morning, as I was pondering what to write in this Blog today, my new and "breast friend" Neri emailed me. Neri (see photo below, far right) is a fellow breast cancer survivor and one of the facilitators from our Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer support group. She sent me this beautiful poem:

BEND IN THE ROAD    Helen Steiner Rice
 
When we feel we have nothing left to give
And we are sure that the song has ended.

When our day seems over and the shadows fall
And the darkness of night has descended.
 

Where can we go to find the strength
To valiantly keep on trying
Where can we find the hand that will dry
The tears that the heart is crying.

There's but one place to go and that is to God
And dropping all pretense and pride.
We can pour out our problems without restraint
And gain strength with Him at our side.
 

And together we stand at life's crossroads
And view what we think is the end.
But God has a much bigger vision
And He tells us it's only a bend.
 

For the road goes on and is smoother
And the pause in the song is a rest.
And the part that's unsung and unfinished
Is the sweetest and richest and best!
  
Helen Steiner Rice had many blessings in her life, but also several tragedies, such as the death of her father at a key point in her life, and the suicide of her husband, which left her a widow at a young age. Yet, decades later, her marvellous poems continue to inspire millions.

I was thinking this morning about how glad I am that my plans were disturbed and that I did not go to Hawaii after all. 

Huh? 

Why on earth would I say that? Montreal, Quebec, Canada in the winter is proving better for me than Kona, Hawaii, land of sand, surf and sea????

Honestly, I was thinking today just how blessed I am to be here, right here, in the land of about-to-be-ice-and-snow. Glad to be here, going through what I'm going through, even though it's not always pleasant, and being here, spending time with . . . you!

Because the crazy thing about it is . . . it feels . . . well, right. It's just feeling right to be right here, right now . . . meeting these precious ladies . . . going to support groups . . . having the amazing opportunity of doing this documentary . . . Liliana and her film crew  following me through this journey of cancer . . . and yes, even going through chemo. 

And it all has to do with God using us to help others. It's supposed to always be about others. It's not always supposed to be about us.

You see, my friends, that is the very reason I was going to Hawaii in the first place . . . I wanted to help others. To teach English to internationals for awhile, and then to move on out into the world to help other people in other countries.

But then I got Breast Cancer. 

Except that now, He seems to be using me to help others right here. And in a far larger, greater way than I ever imagined. 

And so . . . I am content.

Here I am, singing Menopause for the girls, 
since chemo for Breast Cancer brings it on!

So to quote from Helen's poem above,  

"...together we stand at life's crossroads
And view what we think is the end.
But God has a much bigger vision
And He tells us it's only a bend.
 
For the road goes on and is smoother
And the pause in the song is a rest.
And the part that's unsung and unfinished
Is the sweetest and richest and best!"

Two parts of the Bible that seem to be JUST for me lately!!! ~

Proverbs 19:21

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

James 4:13-15

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 

Yup, I really get both those verses, now. Got 'em, Lord! Committing them to memory!

And so, the journey continues. It will be SO interesting to see where it leads! The most important thing? My hand is in His, and for now, that is all that matters.

Be blessed, my friends, and walk softly through this life.  

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."  - Plato


Love and prayers for you,

Wendy