I’ve talked a little with you about my guy and the fact that he’s facing cancer. I shared with you that I’m a cancer survivor (nearly 24 years ago when I was a young mom) and how hard it was to hear that we were going through this again.
I told you that my guy is the one who makes me laugh until I race to the bathroom, squeezing my legs, laughing so hard that tears run down my face, and that I’d rather it be me again then him.
What I didn’t tell you is that he’s facing surgery next month.
It’s a big surgery. An hour in pre-op, five hours in the operating room, and two to three hours after. We’ve been in a honeymoon phase for the last several weeks, not having to think about it other than a few tests and the bills that showed up in our mailbox afterwards.
Now it’s a month away and it occupies a space on my calendar. It’s something we are planning for because he’ll be home for a while afterwards while his body heals.
Now that it’s on the horizon, worry wants to slip in uninvited and whisper in my ear all the things that could go wrong. It wants to remind me that my healthy guy, the one who loves nothing more than an early morning run, is going to need a little extra TLC. It wants me to worry about hospital bills and insurance and all the things that come with cancer.
But I’ve made a promise to myself.
It’s what I say out loud when worry knocks on my door like a bossy solicitor who won’t take no for an answer.
I’m not going to be a worrier, because this girl’s a prayer warrior.
I’m a Jesus follower and He’s promised to lead me through the valleys and on the high tops of mountains steeper than I can climb alone.
So I’m not going to spend one more minute on “what can be” so I can live in what “is.”
I’m going to laugh, because cancer doesn’t change the fact that this man I married is a funny, funny guy.
I’m going to treasure every single moment we have — before, during, and after — because there are a lot of beautiful little faces (aren’t our five little monkeys beautiful?) who will take their cues from us on how to face harder times.
I’m going to hit the floor with my knees because that’s my Source — where I find everything I need. Where I can be real. Where I can weep or celebrate or scoop deep into His peace.
So, why worry when it produces nothing but angst, and prayer produces strength?
I’ll let you know as we get closer the actual day of surgery.
I’d love for all of you around the table to join me in prayer for this sweet man I love. But for today, I want to hear your story. I want to talk about worry and how it affects us and how we can live free in times that might tempt you to worry. And I want to pray. If you’re in a hard place and you just need a group of brave girls to circle around you, well we can do that too.
Why worry when we be prayer warriors together, right?
Resources
The Mended Heart: God’s Healing for Your Broken Places
JoyKeeper: 6 Truths that Change Everything You Thought You Knew About Jo
If you’ve tried to heal, but keep ending up in the same place
whether the battle is in your heart or out in the open where everyone can see—this book is for you.
People throw quick fixes at you, or tell you to pull yourself up by your bootstraps (whatever that means). You don’t have to fix yourself—Jesus loves you right where you are. In fact, he has already completed the work that you long to take place. The Mended Heart will encourage you to trust Him, to give and receive grace, and to move ahead even stronger than before.
Suzi, Thank you for your diligent walk of faith in spite of the personal storm that you are facing. God bless you for your personal example of faithfulness to a walk of obedience, and to others, during this season. Like you, I know from personal experience that we serve an amazing, powerful God who uses our darkest, blackest nights to create something beautiful in and through our lives. I have also witnessed that the choice to pray during these storms can change what we believe to be hopeless into hope-inspiring. I will keep you and your family in prayer. And also, thank you so much for hosting Live Free.
God bless,
Letetia
I love hosting #livefree. It’s one of my highlights during the week. Thank you for your beautiful, encouraging words.
You are an inspiration. I am learning that those difficult days that we cannot quite wrap our minds around seem to bring God so much glory as we walk through them in His strength. Praying for your sweet hubby and for you as you walk this path. God is with you every step of the way. Love & Blessings to you and your man.
Cancer has hit in everyone’s life at some point and can leave a negative impact. Thank you for sharing your battle and now your husbands. Hope is what we, my family have been hanging on to. Thank God, we have something so positive to hold on to when in the valleys of our lives. Just to hear whispered words of: we are praying for you and your family, these are uplifting and encouraging love notes to remind us where are focus needs to be, on our Heavenly Father. Thank you and may God, keep you and your husband wrapped in his loving arms.
I am going to be a prayer warrior instead of a worrier. My son has special needs and has had some surgeries, they all scare us. We almost lost him last year due to pnemonia and a collapsed lung. He never had a fever or complained of pain till the lung collapsed. It’s frustrating that he can not tell us where it hurts, it could prevent him so much pain. He just has to hope we’ll figure it out. In a few weeks he has to have all his wisdom teeth cut out because they are impacted. I know this is not a major surgery, but I have been worrying. What if he gets dry socket, what if he needs more pain meds, what if they won’t give him the pain meds he needs? All these run a continuous loop. Well I am going to give God the control, because ultimately he has it anyway. Thanks for this well timed, in my life, post. If anyone can pray for him that would be awesome. His surgery is for the morning of May 15th.
Hi Kristie,
I have placed a reminder on the calendar in my phone to pray for you and your son on the morning of his surgery. My daughter is a special needs educator. She spent a few years working with children who were in the moderate to severe category and I remember how much she struggled with the fact that these precious young people could not tell her when they had pain and were not feeling well. It is a very hard position to be in. I know that God has got it and will give you the insight to know if your son is in pain and a voice that will be HEARD by his medical practitioners if he has extenuating needs.
Donna
Thank you Donna, your words and prayers mean the world to me!
Suzie,
Thank you for living the scripture that has touched my heart deeply in these last few days. My prayers for your strength as a caregiver and cheerleader in this fight. And, prayers for healing and strength for the fight to him. May God be honored through both of you in this time that is so hard to explain and understand.
We have laughed, even recently, over the fact that he’s never been sick. Ever. We have no idea how he’ll be in recovery. I have no idea what kind of nurse I’ll make. <3 It's an adventure!
That is a precious picture, Suzie! Prayers for you and your family:)
Kristine! I tried leaving a comment over on your post but I kept getting an error! I’m hoping you get this here! I really enjoyed your words today! No! You are not alone. I’ve struggled in the past with some of the Old Testament. Thank you so much for making a story come alive for me! I love taking care of all the details when we are gathering for a group of women to worship, praise, and study. I’ve always felt God was one who noticed the details and prepares for us in such a way to not leave anything out. How beautiful to see this displayed and to see the our obedience leads to Him filling the very place he has called us to prepare!!! Love this post . Thank you!
Thank you for letting us past your front door and into your heart, Suz! Thank you also for the reminder to pray for you and your wonderful man. We want to lift you up!
One of these days I need to walk you through those front doors and have you stay with me for awhile!
Suzie,
I will be praying for you and your husband as you face this difficult experience. Rest in His presence. Blessings,
Sandra Sheridan
Suzie, we can! We can be prayer warriors! What a privilege to carry everything to Him in prayer! My walking time always reminds me to pray for you, your ministry, your family, your Potter house girls! Now when I see monikers I bet I will think of you two and pray! Blessings sweet friend! The mountains we climb make us strong!
Praying Isaiah 226:3 over both you and “your guy.”
“Thank You, God, that YOU will keep Suzie in perfect peace because her mind is steadfast, because she TRUSTS in YOU and You alone!! That truth, her faith in You, is enough to guarantee that YOUR peace will guard her heart and mind. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Love you,
Wendy
I reach for those words and hold them close! Thank you, beautiful friend.
Praying for your sweet hubby, Suzie. Please keep us updated. I wish i could get to WF this Saturday to see you and hug your neck! Thanks for always encouraging us no matter what and for providing this #livefree community for us to gather in. Have a great day, Kim
Suzanne,
I will be lifting you, your husband, and your dear ones in prayer. Your words, prayer warrior not a worrier, they are the catalyst for hope in your heart. Thanks for setting the example, because worry can consume so much precious energy that we need to live like 1 Thes 5 says
..praying, rejoicing, trusting.
May His peace be the grace that carries you through the days ahead.
Blessings,
Dawn
Dawn, I love this –> worry can consume so much precious energy that we need to live.
It’s powerful!
Your five monkeys aren’t the only ones who are observing and learning as you and Richard face this challenge, my friend. I’m soaking in every faith-filled, joy-fueled word and action. I love you two, and you’ll be in my prayers. I’m going to war with you!
You are a treasure, Amy. I will never let you go as my friend. <3
I had a friend who wrote a song, “I refuse to worry just as long as I can pray”. Worry comes easy, but when it does I am learning that prayer can chase it away. Prayer and praise for God’s faithfulness. Recently I was struggling as I am facing some serious eye surgery. I sat with a dear couple and shared some of my story and how God had brought me through some really dark places. In doing so I found myself able to look ahead and trust that the God who has been with me for 64 years will not abandon me now. I saw His faithfulness to me, just as you can if you look back on your lives. God has not changed. He is faithful and will sustain you to the end. I have gone through divorce and become a widow, struggled with finances and health issues and I know God has been there for each step, even when it seemed to difficult to go on. He is there for you as well. Joshua 1:9 is a verse I lean on. The God of Moses, and all the others is your God Suzie! He will carry you and your family through this valley. There will be NO darkness, for God is the Light!
Thanks for the privilege of joining you on this journey through my prayers. You bless my life with your words. Hugs!
Thank you, Mary. Isn’t it incredible how those hard places become light later on? We’ve been through this before and the hard places are really our beacons now. We know who God is in the hard places. We know where to turn. We know how worry paralyzes and how faith sustains. I love your insight. Thank you so much!
I have tears in my eyes as I read. Such a beautiful story of love and hope and trust and fear all mixed together. Love you Suzie.
Yes, I’ll sit with you at the table, Suzie. Absolutely. Gosh, I wish this storm could simply be taken from you. Thankfully God is faithful, and prayer is sweet communion in the middle of (often stinky) storms. And, you’re standing strong, but very real, in the midst of it. Such sweet words about your husband. What a beautiful marriage. I’ll continue in prayer for his healing and strength for both of you in the midst of the trial.
We do have a sweet marriage. From the beginning I’ve liked this guy as much as I’ve loved him. Thank you for your kind words. Yesterday was another doctor appointment and when he came home, he said, “It’s really becoming real, isn’t it?”
We prayed together before we went to sleep. It’s me, my guy, and God (and a whole lot of beautiful family and friends) in this together.
Suzie, I know your pain as my husband Rick for 27 years has lung cancer (non small cell) that is not operable, or curable. It is treatable but this is an agressive cancer and one that doctors treat for pneumonia as that is how it presents to look in the lungs. He started with this Feb 2014 and did not find out it was cancer till the end of June. He didn’t start any treatment till Aug 1 due to being able to get a PET scan done as the machine was not working for 3 times and finally had to go out of area to get one. He is unable to work now and on home oxygen since the beginning of Dec. He has lost 45-50 lbs and my heart breaks for him. I will certainly add you and your husband to our prayer list. Rick is a lay pastsor and for our small congregation and so he is recording his sermons at home and I take them fo church for the service. He is hoping if the weather warms up soon he could go to services. We do know that God is the one in charge and we pray everyday for His will in our lives. I feel I have witnessed more to others since this has happened. I can’t say I never worry but I do know that God is the one in charge and He can heal in an instant if that is His plan for us. It is a very difficult time but I am certain that God will see us through. I aslo know He will see you and your husband and family through as well.
Oh Pam, how hard is that. I’m so sorry. I pray today that you sense God so close and that His hand is over your husband’s life in every way. I pray that the bills are taken care of, and the medical care is insightful and spot on. I pray that He can breathe deeply, and that He feels God’s presence with every breath. In Jesus name, amen.
Suzie, Thank you so much and I will read your reply to him this evening. I have found you can’t pray enough or have to many paryers from others. It give me strength, hope and trust in our Father as well.
Pam
Suzie, praying for you and your hubby today. I love your style, prayer warrior princess. Thanks for reminding me to keep my “game face” on. Hugs
I’m almost feel like I need a cape. <3 Love this encouragement. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your experiences! It’s encouraging!! Blessings
Thanks for the connection with #livefreeThursday.
Love,
Tayrina from TGAWrites
Dear Suzie,
Please know that you and Richard are in my prayers. May God comfort both of you and protect you always. Thank you for sharing your heart. I am praying for healing for Richard. What a sweet couple you are. What a loving family you are blessed to have. Thank you for being a woman of God.
Thanks, Marilyn. <3
You gave me goosebumps, dear warrior. You made my heart jump at the chance to pray for you. Don’t give up the fight; because God has won this war. Oh, how well pleased the Lord is through your fight of faith. Keep going. Don’t back down. Please imagine me giving you a big hug right now…
Going forward with faith and hope and laughter and joy.
Taking it to the throne of grace! Your man has BIG sisters, with BIG hearts, who serve a BIG God, and are expecting BIG miracles!
you both have been and will continue to be in my prayers!!!