After three breast biopsies and a mammogram, I wanted to hear good news. The news would not be good for me in early 2002. I had breast cancer. There was that dreaded word no one wants to hear. I was in a tailspin wanting to know how and why this was happening to me. I kept thinking about the 23 Psalm (KJV) and the first line: “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” I wanted to be free of this disease and not have to deal with it. “He leadeth me besides the still waters.” The waters would not be still for I had a long road of recovery ahead of me. I knew that Jesus was always with ... Read the Post
Archives for September 2018
Life with Margins
In the summer of 2018 The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, warned high temperatures, drier conditions, decreased snowpack, and large amounts of grass posed an “above average to extreme” wildfire risk. Danger increased due to population growth and suburban sprawl where homes litter brittle burn-prone forests. By the time July ended, over 2 million acres had been burned by wildfires in that single month. If not for margins put in place before the first spark, the damage would’ve been more widespread. Scan western hills or plateaus covered by prairie grass, sage, or ... Read the Post
Though I Walk Through the Valley
I’m an ugly crier. I guess most of us are. Every time I see a scene on television where a woman is bawling her eyes out one minute, smiling prettily the next, I can’t help but roll my eyes. Most often we tell the story about our tears well after they’ve dried. That’s the triumphant place; the place where victory has been obtained and we’re bidding the trial a fond farewell. And in that place of triumph, we speak from a sense of great relief at seeing our faith rewarded. But I’m writing this from the valley… with swollen eyes and tissues at the ready. I’m writing from the ... Read the Post
The Four Words that Ruined My Life
Four little words altered the course of my life forever. “Sara, I’ve messed up.” And it was in the next few moments my now ex-husband revealed devastating news, which at the time, I was certain would end my life. There was no getting around it. The damage had been done. Families were ripped apart. My storybook marriage and life came crashing down. And I found myself in control of absolutely nothing. I cried out to the Lord BEGGING Him to save my marriage. I wanted my life back. I wanted to wake up the next day with everything back to normal. There was NO WAY I could face my family and ... Read the Post
Upside Down Serving
This year was to have been my 5th year riding in The Agony Ride, a 24-hour road bike fundraiser for Christian Encounter Ministries, a Christian ranch for troubled teens. I had diligently pedaled many miles, pursued sponsors, fine-tuned my bike, and gathered all my gear. I was ready—or was I? God sometimes turns things upside down in our lives, which leaves us wondering why. Why when plans were made, life was comfortable, and we had looked forward with anticipation to fulfillment of a dream, vacation, gathering, or an event? Four weeks before the ride, I came down with an intestinal ... Read the Post