On the Journey With...
Joyce
I have to be honest, doctors have not always been my favorite people, nothing personal, just hated to go. But I have always kept my appointments.
So, when I first noticed blood in my stool, alarm bells didn’t immediately go off. At the time, life was quite stressful. My parents had just divorced, my dad was battling kidney cancer, and I’d become his primary caregiver – which turned out to be a rather demanding role – filled with multiple hospital visits for his high blood pressure, dizzy spells, and frequent falls. His care became so all-encompassing that I had to leave my job, all while still raising my boys at home.
Given that intense period, it wasn’t surprising that my body seemed to be protesting. But when the bleeding persisted, my husband insisted I see the doctor again. This time, the recommendation was a colonoscopy. My immediate thought was disbelief: “Wait, what? I’m too young for that!” Annoyance doesn’t even begin to describe my reaction. After some procrastination, I finally scheduled the procedure. The results were shocking: seven polyps removed, and one identified as cancerous.
I was floored.
No family history of cancer, an active lifestyle, and only 46 years old – this wasn’t supposed to happen to someone like me. The oncologist’s initial discussion about a colostomy bag left me utterly confused. They’d removed the tumor, it was stage one cancer, so why such a drastic measure? Thankfully, a collaborative decision among the doctors offered a different path. Given my age and overall health they decided to try chemotherapy and radiation first. But candidly, even after hearing the news, the reality of it all hadn’t fully sunk in. I realized I wasn’t prepared for any of this.
But I am a survivor and a fighter.
So, on February 5th, 2025, I began treatment. It was brutal. The unwavering support of my family and church community became my saving grace. Meals arrived for weeks, prayers were offered constantly, and I joined a cancer support group. While helpful, it was also a challenge to be on the receiving end. My nature is to be the doer, the giver; that’s where I feel most comfortable. Feeling needy and like a burden was difficult, but the truth was, I couldn’t escape the fact that I needed the help.
As my diagnosis became more widely known, I was inundated with information, it was often overwhelming and sometimes interacting with my friends made it seem all the more dire. I quickly realized I needed to be selective about who I listened to; I was constantly praying for discernment to help navigate the noise.
I did my best to stay grounded.
Throughout this ordeal, I held fast to a truth I had learned long ago: there is always purpose in pain. God doesn’t inflict it, but He always uses it. Past challenges have taught me that I can always rely on God to see me through, even when the path ahead is unclear.
On March 14th, I rang the bell. Treatment completed. WHEW!
While that milestone is significant, the journey has left its mark. Like many cancer warriors, a quiet undercurrent of anxiety remains. Did they really get it all? What if it comes back? Did the treatment do damage from which I may never recover? I suspect those fears are a lifelong companion on this path.
But one profound change has occurred: my prayers are different now. They are no longer a mere routine; they are raw, heartfelt lifelines. I understand afresh my lack of control. He is my ultimate source of hope, and that is what I cling to all the more fiercely these days. He really does hold my future in his hands, and I am increasingly at peace with that.
Soul Care with
Pastor Jenn
To Pastor (verb): to shepherd, advise, and guide into a place of deeper spiritual understanding
“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb…”
John 20:1
I’ve been thinking quite a bit this week about the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Given that this is Easter week, I’m certain I’m not alone. In particular, I’ve been thinking about the uncertainty of those days between his death and resurrection. For us, we’ve always had the privilege of knowing the end of the story. But the disciples and followers of Jesus were at the mercy of time…waiting to see if Jesus really would be who they believed him to be.
It’s wild, if you think about it. In this moment, Mary went to the tomb to anoint the dead body of Jesus. She was still deep in the process of loss and grieving, going through the motions of what was considered appropriate for death at that time; but also processing that this man, her Savior, had died. It’s unimaginable. But waiting just around the corner was hope. Because, as you and I know, the tomb was empty. Jesus was risen – the Son of God, just as he had said – come to save the world.
I wonder how often our hope is right around the corner, we just can’t see it yet. We are caught in the mercy of time…waiting. Take courage, dear friend. Jesus is every bit who he says he is…the way, the truth and the life. We only have to have patience. But know this – the tomb is empty. Hope has risen…
Caregivers Corner with
Lori Smith
To Support (noun): to provide assistance that enables one to function or act.
This week, I want to extend a special blessing and prayer to you, dear caregiver. May it be a breath of fresh air as you carry on with your tasks.
Father, I come before you asking for refreshing for those who are tasked with caring for a loved one with cancer. You know the burden that they carry as they watch from the sidelines of their person’s illness. You know how they wish they could fix it, and how helpless they can feel. I pray you will strengthen them this week. Hide them under the shadow of your wing. Carry them with your mighty arm. Surround them when they feel alone. Lord Jesus, bless their coming and their going.
I pray specifically for their ability to rest. You know how hard it can be to rest when we are walking through the valleys of life. I pray that they will come to you, and that you will give them rest, just as you promised. Jesus, send helpers into their lives at just the right time, in just the right way. May others be a fountain of refreshment for their weary souls. I pray for timely phone calls and texts, hugs from just the right friend, a word aptly spoken, a gift card sent. Thank you for using others to uplift those who are walking through storms. Remind us how we need each other.
Jesus, we praise you for your goodness. We are grateful when we get good news, and also thankful for your with-ness in bad news. Help us keep our eyes fixed on you, the author and finisher of our faith. We know that everything has been brought under your authority, including cancer. So, we thank you for your sovereignty and your goodwill towards us. We look forward to the restoration of all things.
It’s in Jesus’ mighty name we pray and ask it all. Amen.
Worship Moment
with Joel Salabarria
To Inspire (verb): to fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
Song: You Really Are (Spotify, YouTube Music and Apple Music)
Band: Elevation Worship
From: Lion (2022)
Passion week is not just about the events that transpired long ago, it is a reminder of the depth of love that he has for us AND an invitation. I want to respond to it and this song expresses perfectly my sincere desire. The simplicity of just confessing (without shame) that I just want to know God better – and in some deeper way. Maybe especially when I am going through a season I don’t fully understand, I purposefully posture my heart to say, “I want to know you…MORE!”
I want to know You
I want to know You
I want to know You
For who You really are
I want to know You
I want to know You
I want to know You
For who, can we say that?
Poetic Encouragement with
Julie Clarke
To Encourage (noun): to give support and hope to someone so that they will do or continue to do something.
Dear Ancient of Days
Yesterday I let fear win
With a wave of doubt,
and temptations to sin
Because yesterday
I heard some news
Replayed my thoughts
Rehearsed the blues
But today I turn
My eyes back to you and
I run this race
With only YOU, I pursue
And I drop the scripts
That told of distortions
In this twisted world
With Gen 3 proportions
And I lift my eyes
To remember your truth
The gospel that moved me
In those days as a youth
When your heartbeat of
Love. .. .. ..
Beat through me
Like a beacon
Shining bright for the lost
Like a 9 year old deacon
So move this orphan heart along
Away from orphan status song
With any wise way,
Or support apparatus
And keep my eyes, solely
Fixed on Christ’s status
Above the break ups
Any beyond the blues
Please, move my heart
To care for something
My ministry paused
To support this old thing
Please restore my health
And strengthen my bones
And move my hands
To pick up the phone
And reach for you
In the darkest of days
And renew my heartbeat
Dear Ancient of Days
Nutrition Nuggets with
Suzanna Hake
To Nourish (verb): the act or process of being nourished.
OK, there are times where I like to suggest some things that might sound a little outside the norm. But I know you are the folks up for that kind of thing. You probably already know that coconut oil can make your food taste delicious. But have you ever heard of oil pulling?
It is an ancient practice that involves swishing oil in your mouth and has numerous benefits.
Oral Health🦷: Reduces harmful bacteria, lowering risk of gum disease and cavities.
Fresh Breath🌱: helps freshen breath by cutting down bacteria and plaque build up.
Whiter teeth✨: Helps remove surface stains for a brighter smile.
Overall Health🌟: Boosts digestion and reduces inflammation.
Use 1T and swish it around in your mouth for up to 20 minutes. Spit out in garbage, not in sink so it doesn’t clog the pipes. Give it a try.
Piet's Ponderings
To Ponder (verb): to think about something carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion
“Every day is a new day”
This is a phrase that resonates even more deeply when we think of it through the lens of Passion Week. It becomes a daily invitation, much like the unfolding events of those pivotal days, to shed the weight of what came before – the triumphant entry giving way to betrayal, the shared meal preceding the agony. Each new day within that infamous week, and indeed every day since, offered a starkly different reality, a fresh set of challenges and ultimately, the promise of profound personal transformation.
This isn’t just a platitude; it mirrors the inherent renewal woven into the fabric of that sacred time. The darkness of Good Friday yielded to the dawn of Easter, a clean slate bought at immense cost. Each day of our lives now holds that same potential: a chance to rewrite our narratives, to find strength in the resilience Christ displayed, and to cultivate a deeper appreciation for the moment we are living in, knowing its inherent significance in light of His sacrifice and victory.
Whether it’s a spiritual rebirth echoing Easter morning, a renewed sense of hope amidst our own trials mirroring the disciples’ eventual joy, or simply a chance to begin again, every new day is a gift, a testament to the ongoing grace offered through Christ’s journey. It reminds us that we are constantly being offered the opportunity for growth, forgiveness, and new life, just as the world was transformed by the events of that week.
So, yes, go take on your day, knowing that even in the face of difficulty, the promise of renewal, born from Passion Week, is always present. You got this, empowered by His enduring love.
A Healing Prayer
Based on the Events of Passion Week
To Pray (verb): Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer ad petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God )Philippians 4:6)
O Lord, our Healer, we come before you mindful of Passion Week’s journey – the joy of entry, the intimacy of the last supper, the agony of betrayal, the weight of the cross, and the glorious dawn of resurrection. From this profound narrative of sacrifice and victory, we lift our hearts in prayer for healing, both within ourselves and in the world around us. Just as you bore our infirmities on the cross, we ask for your gentle touch to mend our physical bodies, soothe our emotional wounds, and bring clarity to troubled minds.
We pray for healing that mirrors the wholeness you offer. Bind up the brokenness in our relationships, fostering forgiveness and understanding where there is division. Look upon our hurting world, Lord, and bring your justice and peace to places of conflict and despair. May the hope born from your empty tomb break through the darkness that surrounds us, bringing light and restoration.
Lord Jesus, just as death could not contain your resurrected life, we pray that no sickness, sorrow, or brokenness will have the final victory in our lives. Empower us with the same resurrection power that shattered the chains of death. Grant us the faith to believe in your healing presence, the courage to seek your restoration, and the unwavering trust in your perfect and compassionate will. Amen.
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The Van Waarde Foundation underwrites and supports a variety of projects related to supporting, educating, and encouraging fellow cancer warriors and their families.
Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration.
https://www.patreon.com/c/pietvanwaarde
