I have a friend I want you all to meet. I have never met her in person, but consider her a dear friend. We ‘met’ through her brother, who introduced us via Facebook when I was going through treatment for cancer. He knew I needed to know his sister. She is a miracle survivor, living with stage 4 breast cancer. Her cancer metastasized to her bones & brain, but her tumors are staying stable and ‘quiet.’
She is truly a miracle, but she knows that her status could change at any time.
She knows pain, both physical and emotional. While her cancer stayed quiet, she watched her brother-in-law suffer with a reoccurrence of brain cancer, and was there for his family as he battled long & hard, and her faith never wavered. I wrote a bit about his life here.
Michelle is one of the most courageous people I know. She lives her life in the moment & knows what it means to be thankful. Her words encouraged me many times during my fight, and they continue to do so. She updated her Caring Bridge site this week, and what she had to say just blew me away. I knew I had to share it with you all, as it was such a tangible example of what Thanksgiving is all about.
{The Mellinger Family}
It is an honor to introduce you to my friend, Michelle Mellinger:
THANKSGIVING:
We are celebrating one of my favorite holidays of the whole year on Thursday. It causes me to be sentimental, family-oriented, and most of all thankful. I wanted to share why I am THANKFUL FOR CANCER. Yes, that is hard to say, but so very true when I look back over the last three years.
Cancer has given me HOPE: Many people find that hope and cancer don’t go hand in hand. But without hope cancer is debilitating. Without hope, you spend your days wallowing in the how and why’s and spend little time enjoying the sights and sounds around you. Hope does not mean that I am in denial about what is to come, hope is the empowerment to know that whatever is to come I can handle it.
Cancer has given me COMPASSION: Before my diagnosis, I really didn’t SEE those around me. Cancer has given me the ability to look into someones eyes and feel their pain. It is given me empathy and a desire to want to help and encourage people.
Cancer has given me a FUTURE: most people immediately think that cancer takes away your future. I used to believe that too. I used to live in the moment, not worrying about what was ahead for my life. I didn’t use to dream about my future or what God had in store for me. Now my future is tomorrow, next week, next month, next year. I am investing in today so that my future will live on through my children.
Cancer restored my RELATIONSHIP with my Savior: I had a hard time BC (before cancer) wanting to spend time with Jesus. I didn’t have a passion to be in the Word or kneeling in prayer. I had it under control. My life was going exactly how I had planned. I had a great job, awesome husband, and two beautiful children. But it didn’t go as planned, my life wasn’t unfolding the way I had envisioned. I have found that God had a new plan. I don’t always like the new plan, but I am trusting in Him to show me what it is that He wants me to do with my life.
Cancer has shown me that MIRACLES do exist: I am a miracle! It is not of my doing. It is God’s doing. I used to think miracles only happened in Bible times, but they still happen today. If you looked at my medical records they would show a woman that had six months to live. They would cause some doctors to throw their hands up and say there is not much we can do. My God has allowed the medical treatments at the hands of my doctors and nurses to do amazing things. They have kept me alive for three years longer that most would have imagined. I still don’t know why God allows some people to do well and others he takes to his heavenly home way too quickly. I just know that that there is something more I am to do before he takes me home, maybe it is to remind people that miracles do still exist.
Cancer has given me a THANKFUL heart. I am so thankful for my family and friends who stand beside me everyday and encourage me to keep on plugging along and not give up. I am thankful for my children who remind me how important hugs and kisses are and inspire me to be a better mother. I am thankful for a husband who loves me when I am not lovable and gives me a reason to keep on fighting and living.
I hope you all find hope, compassion, a future, Godly restoration, miracles, and a thankful heart. Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
Michelle
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Amazing insight, isn’t it? It just touched my heart so much to read her words, and made me think of this song I’ve shared below. She lives this song everyday. I love how she said. “Hope does not mean that I am in denial about what is to come, hope is the empowerment to know that whatever is to come I can handle it.” I know that she can say this because of her trust in God, and because of this trust, she can and does live out 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give Thanks In Everything.”
This was a great post!! Last Sunday the Lord and I had a long talk, mostly me talking and when I stopped long emough for air, He said are you done?? Yes, I am Lord! This may not be the way I want to spend this holiday, but it is the way I will spend it, reflecting on His love for me!!!
Jess
November 22, 2012 at 3:18 pm
Beautiful post… I pray both of your families have a wonderful Thanksgiving 🙂 God Bless!
Thank you so much for this post. Her words are so inspiring and full of truth. Gods truth the reality we get to live in, if we choose. I so needed to hear this today. We lost our 9yr old son to cancer two years ago, and we know that God is faithful in all things. I am not at a place where I can thank Him for his death (honestly I don’t know if I will ever be), yet I am so thankful for the beauty that has come through the ashes. God is faithful. Always.
BARBIE
November 24, 2012 at 4:23 amTruly inspirational. Thank you for sharing.
upnorth
November 22, 2012 at 9:34 pmThis was a great post!! Last Sunday the Lord and I had a long talk, mostly me talking and when I stopped long emough for air, He said are you done?? Yes, I am Lord! This may not be the way I want to spend this holiday, but it is the way I will spend it, reflecting on His love for me!!!
Jess
November 22, 2012 at 3:18 pmBeautiful post… I pray both of your families have a wonderful Thanksgiving 🙂 God Bless!
Vikki
November 22, 2012 at 3:23 pmThank you so much for this post. Her words are so inspiring and full of truth. Gods truth the reality we get to live in, if we choose. I so needed to hear this today. We lost our 9yr old son to cancer two years ago, and we know that God is faithful in all things. I am not at a place where I can thank Him for his death (honestly I don’t know if I will ever be), yet I am so thankful for the beauty that has come through the ashes. God is faithful. Always.
karen gerstenberger
November 22, 2012 at 3:16 pmThank you for sharing this with us, Amy. I am thankful to know you. Blessed Thanksgiving to you and your family!