Category: Faith

Tell Me Something Good – Sheilia’s Story

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“Is your follow up appointment for the CT scan results still today?”, I texted Sheilia.

“Yes. It’s at 9:30 my time.”

“I know the results are already in. I’m sure it’s been difficult to wait. I’m praying for a clean slate but also for peace…either way.” Peace, either way. His will be done, either way, I was thinking, but also holding my breath for the answer. Please please, let there be good news.

A few hours later, she wrote me back. “Everything is good! I don’t need to go back for another two years.”

Sheilia and I have been friends for nearly as long as I have been married (25 years!). John was in the Navy at the time of our wedding which was in New Mexico. He was stationed in Bremerton, Washington and I moved there with him to begin the rest of our life together. He took me to the church where he was a member and I was a stranger. Sheilia and her family were one of the first to welcome me into the church and we hit it off right away. It wasn’t long before we were singing together in the choir and in a ladies’ singing group. We spent hours at each other’s homes playing games ’til way past midnight. We went shopping often and even taught elementary school together. When I was in the hospital in labor getting ready for Jonathan’s birth, she (and her kids!) were in the hospital room with me – during contractions and all. Well – not for everything. They did stay back in the waiting room for the rest of the time. They took to Jonathan like family and I almost had to relinquish custody of him when we were with them. They loved him as one of their own. Sheilia even went with me to pick Jonathan up from the hospital after he was released. Due to his premature birth, he had to stay in the NICU for three weeks. We were close. Her family has a very special place in our hearts.

She was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma the end of June 2010. It was Stage 3 – in the spleen, lymph nodes in her neck, and lymph nodes in her back area. She had surgery in August of that year to remove her spleen. Chemo lasted between six to eight hours and was every four to five weeks through February 2011 before becoming cancer free. For the next year and a half, she had to keep the port that was put in her chest just in case she needed more chemo treatments. Every five weeks, the port had to be flushed out with saline. Life was exhausting for her. For the first five years after chemotherapy, she went to the doctor once a year for a CT scan, for blood work, and for a checkup. Then it was every two years. Unless she feels any symptoms coming on, she does not need to see the doctor but once a year for just blood work and a general checkup. Her white blood cells were up a few weeks ago which caused the doctor to schedule the CT scan. She said it could have been just an infection. She has been considered CANCER FREE for nine years now. “Praise the Lord”, she declares.

“People ask me about my cancer every once in awhile and I don’t mind at all, telling them about it. I don’t get any of those feelings of anxiety when I do, but when it gets close to the checkup time, that anxiety rushes in, even though I know the Lord’s in complete control. Then after the checkup, I’m fine again. But I praise the Lord every day for His grace.”

When Sheilia shared with me that her CT scan was clear, I was so relieved to hear the news. There is so much bad news in the world right now that it can be depressing. Do you feel that way as well? As I was reflecting on Sheilia’s news, I wondered what other good news was out there. I started asking friends to “tell me something good” and explained about my friend Shielia’s cancer free update. I can’t help but share it with you because maybe you need to hear some good news, too. Positive things are happening, God is still working, and He is still with us no matter what.

If you liked this post and would like to share your story, comment below and “Tell Me Something Good”! I have a few more stories to share in the coming weeks.

Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

Psalm 145:2

Motivation Daily

Published on by Rebecca Gilbreath2 Comments

People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing — that’s why we recommend it daily.

Zig Ziglar

Are you doing ok during this pandemic? Have you been able to keep your sanity, motivation, and sense of well-being? The changes in society lately have thrown life a curveball with many adjustments needing to be made. Some days, I don’t even know what day it is! Yesterday, I looked at my husband’s medication organizer and saw that he had taken Thursday’s medication. “It’s only Wednesday”, I thought. “Poor man got his meds confused and doesn’t even know what day it is”. I thought about it for a minute because something seemed “off”. Did he take a double dose of medication this week? I looked at the calendar on my cell phone and was shocked that it was Thursday and not Wednesday. I had lost track of a whole day somehow.

So much has happened since COVID 19 has taken over. My husband was hired to work for the VA in Waco, TX. Within a few weeks time, he had a much needed shoulder surgery, we packed a few things, rented an apartment – sight unseen, moved from El Paso to Waco, and he started working. The whirlwind of activity started in June. A month later, we are settled and very happy that John is able to work during this crazy time frame.

One year ago, he graduated from college but could barely walk due to hip pain. One year ago, I wondered how many days would he spend in bed because it was too painful for him to move. One year ago, he had his first total hip replacement surgery. One year ago, when he had moments of coherency, he started looking for work, putting his resumé out into the world. And one year later, he is able to work all day and still be able to come home and be functional. One year can make a difference. One year ago, we were very concerned for our little church in Mexico who had no pastor because John did not have the strength to preach. At times, we were very discouraged and wondered when all the surgeries would end and if our church would ever have someone be able to take over for us. John mentioned the other day that he had been under anaesthesia seven times in four years due to various procedures. I am glad to report that John is doing well and that our church has a man who has taken the work for us. We are very pleased with the direction the church is taking and we are so grateful our church family has a good leader present – especially during this year and all its craziness! Everything from the surgeons John has had, to the healing, to how the details came together for a National to be willing to come to the church, to the way the job offer happened, to the way the apartment we rented is just perfect for us in every way…it is ALL God working. One year ago, all this seemed impossible.

It is challenging to be motivated to trust God when we do not feel like it. Motivation is a daily choice. It has to be taken (chosen) daily like medication or vitamins. The last few years have not been easy for us, but we kept each other motivated to keep pressing on. We took one day, one surgery, one physical therapy appointment at a time. We decided to trust God’s heart when we couldn’t trace His hand. We would have never guessed that we would be making such huge moves during a pandemic. I can only hope one year from now, things will be less confining and confusing in the world concerning the virus. There is still more work to be done on John, but the fact that he has been able to do so much in such little time has been encouraging. To witness the church’s determination to keep the doors open and to see the amazing ministry that is happening now is beyond any feeling I could describe to you. We love our church family deeply. I just talked to a member today on the phone and the sound of her voice nearly made me cry. We had such a good conversation and the church is doing well even in these uncertain times. Good things are happening. Thank you, Lord.

The motivation to keep going may not show results today, but amazing things can happen in the next year if we don’t give up. God is still working – even right now.

Thank you for reading today’s record of graces. I value your time and your encouragement.

The Master Craftsman

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When we take the threads of our lives, our prayers, our service to God and man and weave them with faith in God’s power to heal, provide, and guide, He takes the interlaced threads and creates a beautiful tapestry of testimony and grace for every believer. I read that in weaving, it is the process that is more important than the time it takes to weave something. A beautiful tapestry with all the colors and intricate design takes a long time to be born. And so it is with my life. I need to keep weaving in faith. When anxiousness and worry cloud my mind, I need to shift my focus to the Master Craftsman. God is more interested in the refinement of a beautiful testimony of faith, glory, and hope than in the time it takes for all to come together for His honour. He is the Creator of time, after all, and can use it as He sees fit. When I feel impatient, when I wonder how long will God be working on me, I will remember the painstaking work it takes for a tapestry to be completed. Every detail matters. Every thread is important and necessary to complete the transformation which leads to a beautiful and useful masterpiece.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:11

Grace Goals for October

Published on by Rebecca Gilbreath1 Comment

My anxiety doesn’t come from thinking about the future but from wanting to control it.

Hugh Prather

The topic of anxiety has been in my thoughts this October. I have been reading about how chronic anxiety is affecting our lives in unhealthy ways. Many are seeking sedatives to help them cope with stress. Many are experiencing emotional, spiritual, and sometimes physical paralysis due to excessive anxiousness. A few signs of a nervous mindset:

  • Restlessness
  • Insomnia
  • Difficulty going to sleep and staying asleep
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Muscle tension
  • Excessive worrying
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Easily startled
  • Overeating or Undereating
  • Chest pains

Sadly, I can put a ‘checkmark’ next to most of these in doing a ‘personal checkup’ on how I am doing in this area. It is quite disheartening!

Along with thoughts on anxiety, I was reminded of Philippians 4:6-7, “Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Anxiousness can be all about control and perfectionism. I worry that things won’t turn out ‘just right’ or how I imagined they should. I get concerned about what the future holds. Being too careful about issues holds stress in and blocks grace out. I am guided to let it go. But not just that. I am instructed to replace that anxiety, the negative energy, the unproductive worry with something productive. And right there is the key: anxiety is never productive when it breaks down mental and spiritual stability. I am given an active step to take. I am to transport from myself all the worry, all the stress, all the questions …every thing to God with a thankful heart. I want to ask, “Is that it? That is all there is to it?” It sounds too simple to just stop worrying and to start praying. I wonder if this is not about worrying versus praying, but more about where I place my trust – in myself or in the One who gave His life for me. Another way to look at “be careful for nothing” is “be distressed for no reason”. Through the action of making my requests known to God, I acknowledge my humanness and His sovereignty. In doing this thankfully, I recognize that I do not have to carry any burden and that He will bear it for me. Only then will I have the promised peace, the stability of heart and mind, which cuts through my human understanding.

Being thankful, contented with what I already have and in what God can do, comes through a willful shift of the mind and heart, the purposeful handing over the heavy cloak of control.  I am not only given an active step to take in place of worrying. I am not only promised peace by letting go of control, but I am also given something else to think about in place of doubts and fears.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8

My self-inflicted wounds caused by anxiety have never been found worthy of any good. Christ’s wounds, however, were for my benefit and for God’s glory. If I can trust Christ for salvation, for eternal security in Heaven, surely I can trust Him for earthly security on earth, for the day to day, for every little thing. Daily, I have a choice as to where I will put my trust. Daily, I can opt to live in a prison of anxiety – robbed of peace, sleep, and focus – or I can embrace the peace of God and trust that He knows my needs and cares and has a plan unfolding right now ready to be revealed in His timing.

The presence of anxiety is unavoidable, but the prison of anxiety is optional.

Max Lucado

God’s Purposes

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God’s purposes are not for me to understand His plan: His plan is for me to understand who He is.

Fixed on Faith 14

Advocate. Bread of Life.

Chief Shepherd. Comforter.

Deliverer.

Emmanuel (“God with us”). Everlasting Father.

Foundation. Friend of Sinners.

Guide.

I Am. Life. Light. Love. Master. Mediator.

Messiah. Mighty God. Physician. Prince of Peace.

Purifier.

Ransom. Redeemer. Refuge.

Savior. Teacher. Truth. The Way.

Wonderful Counselor. The Word.

The True Vine who nourishes and sustains, giving me energy and life so that I may live for Him effectively.

Faith Is Confidence

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Faith must be tested because it can be turned into a personal possession only through conflict…the final thing is confidence in Jesus. Believe steadfastly on Him and all you come up against will develop your faith…Faith is unutterable trust in God, trust which never dreams that He will not stand by us.

Oswald Chambers

We can face Monday and any other day in faith with confidence. When approached by two blind men crying for mercy, Jesus asked, “Believe ye that I am able to do this?” and they answered, “Yea, Lord.” He then touched their eyes and told them that they would be healed according to their faith (Matthew 9:28). Pretty strong stuff.

According to my faith, how much can God do in my life?

According to my confidence in His power to heal, to change, to move mountains, how much can He do?

When my husband was trying to communicate to his VA doctor that his hip pain was more than arthritis, that the severe degeneration in his hips was causing great pain and discomfort affecting his ability to move and work, we did not know how long it would take for something to be done. God’s time frame and our time frame are often in different time zones. All the frustration we felt melted when we saw God’s hand in it all – the timing, the surgeon, the hospital, and even the physical therapy. How much time did I spend fretting and worrying instead of choosing to be confident that God knew everything and that He had a plan for surgery, for an amazing surgeon, and for a very helpful in-home physical therapist? Fretting and worrying are never a wise use of my time or energy.

While my husband cannot work at present, we are dependent on his VA disability medical benefits. Due to a complete hip replacement, the benefits should temporarily increase. We worried whether or not the increase in means would come in. It did. Not when we expected it to, but it came through. God came through.

He only asks for ‘faith as a grain of mustard seed’ (Matt 17:20). That does not sound too complicated, right? And yet, most times, I fret and worry, and I feel anxious. Does God fret? Does He worry? Is He feeling anxious?

Isn’t He all-wise, all-knowing, all-present, all-powerful? He is everything good and right and holy in times when I trust, and even when I choose not to.

Faith is stretching out my hand in confidence: ”Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief”. (Mark 9:24)


Faith is Conviction

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You never can measure what God will do through you if you are rightly related to Jesus Christ. Keep your relationship right with Him, then whatever circumstances you are in, and whoever you meet day by day, He is pouring rivers of living water through you, and it is of His mercy that He does not let you know it…It is the work that God does through us that counts, not what we do for Him.

Oswald Chambers

We can face Monday and any day with conviction.

  • The conviction that it is not up to us to change another person’s life. It is not our work, but the work of God.
  • The conviction that we do not live merely for ourselves, but that God is using us in whatever circumstances to pour living waters into someone else who is in need of mercy. We may not know how God is using us, but we can know His glory can shine in ways we may not expect.
  • The conviction that our life is not measured in terms of ‘usefulness’ by man’s standards, but by how much worth we put in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and what He has done and can do through us.
  • The conviction that we are frail and that nothing done in our own power will amount to much. Our emphasis should be on faith in God Himself and in the power He is willing to give if we only seek Him first.

LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is, that I may know how frail I am.

Psalm 39:4

Faith Is Courageous

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Last week, the city of El Paso was greatly shaken by the shooting which took place in a local WalMart. While the city is moving about more, there is still fear and uncertainty surrounding this horrific event. We have a choice as to how to move forward. We can let evil create panic, dismay, and even division or we can look for God’s light to filter through to show us a better way. As Christians, our faith is courageous when we choose to believe that God is not merely a light at the end of the tunnel, but that He is the Light guiding us through it. Courageous faith is believing in Him, that He is faithful during the easy days as well as the oh-so-hard-ones.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

Grace Goals for August

Published on by Rebecca Gilbreath1 Comment

When you find yourself facing an issue in your life, the purpose or reason or good thing that might come out of it being completely hidden from you–what do you do? Do you worry or fret, become preoccupied with the problem? Do you ignore it or avoid it? Do you complain about it, do you want to run away from it? Or do you see it as a situation in which you might be able to experience the power and grace of God at work? Do you watch for the work of God that is to be done in this situation?

from Patches of Godlight, by Jan Karon

In any situation, do I watch for the work of God or do I panic, doubt, and fear first? This month’s grace goals focus will be about faith and about being on the lookout for the power and grace of God. As for stray gifts, I thought I would wait to be surprised instead of having a specific theme.

Happy August and happy hunting for stray gifts in your life.

What Faith Carries

Published on by Rebecca Gilbreath1 Comment

July’s blog theme has been about seeking what is necessary for this phase in life’s journey. I have written about letting go of items and emotions that no longer are of benefit in order to move forward effectively in life. To be mindful of the treasures I have and to manage them well has been a continuing work-in-progress.

We are but strangers and pilgrims on this earth and it would be wise to remember this in life. My journey is different than yours, but what we need for each journey is the same. Doubt? Fear? Despair? They have no place in the Christian’s heart. In letting go of excess effects and emotions, I am more able to carry steadfastly confidence, courage, and hope.

“We are not citizens of this world trying to make our way to heaven; we are citizens of heaven trying to make our way into this world. That radical Christian insight can be life-changing. We are not to live so as to earn God’s love, inherit heaven, and purchase our salvation. All those are given to us as gifts; gifts bought by Jesus on the cross and handed over to us. We are to live as God’s redeemed, as heirs of heaven, and as citizens of another land; the Kingdom of God…We live as those who are on a journey home; a home we know will have the lights on and the door open and our Father waiting for us when we arrive. That means in all adversity, our worship of God is joyful, our life is hopeful, our future is secure. There is nothing we can lose on earth that can rob us of the treasures God has given us and will give us.”

Borrowed from Patches of Godlight by Jan Karon

July’s Stray Gifts: Red, White, Blue, The Number Four

The two photos of red flowers are of our crepe myrtle tree and of oleanders. This crepe myrtle has been stepped on quite a few times by our dog running over it to catch a ball and by us when we were planting our Lady Banks rose bush nearby. I thought for sure we had killed it by now, but it’s still alive. I saw the oleanders on UTEP’s campus one day when I took Jonathan to class. Gorgeous! White and blue morning glories are gracing our yard now in various places. And there are four bunches of yellow bells on the bush. We planted them last year and they have come back in full force.