Steven Curtis Chapman has a song entitled "Glorious Unfolding" that speaks about life typically not moving (unfolding) in the direction that you always thought it would. The lyrics remind us that God's plan for us supercedes our greatest dreams.
The song begins;
Lay your head down tonight
Take a rest from the fight
Don't try to figure it out
Just listen to what I'm whispering to your heart
'Cause I know this is not
Anything like you thought
The story of your life was gonna be
And it feels like the end has started closing in on you
But it's just not true
There's so much of the story that's still yet to unfold
And this is going to be a glorious unfolding
Just you wait and see and you will be amazed
You've just got to believe the story is so far from over
So hold on to every promise God has made to us
And watch this glorious unfolding.
A year ago I was stunned to find myself back in the middle of the story of fighting cancer, having thought that story was long finished. A year later that story is still being written. On one hand it feels like a really long year. On the other hand the year has flown by with multiple doctor visits, medications, mysterious side effects, tests, tests and more tests. Some chapters of this story have been dark but God has been good and faithful to bring light to other chapters. Like being able to take care of my grandbabies, continuing to travel to visit friends and do what I love and feel called to do (I write this from Oregon where I am staying with my good friend Thelma and preparing to speak at a retreat this weekend). Each chapter of this story has been unique and the story is far from over.
Medically there have been a few set backs and new developments but I try to rest in the knowledge that God has this, too, covered. Currently I am transferring my oncology care back to Grand Junction. Not because I don't care for my current doctor in Fort Collins (she has been awesome!) but simply because the 5 plus hour drive is getting wearisome and the ability to see my doctor when I need to and coordinate with other medical personnel has become important. Plus, I'd prefer to make that drive purely to see my Ellie and Darius and their parents than the anticipation of medical care!
This weekend I am speaking to the theme, "Faith Trumps Fear", certainly not because I have this down perfectly, rather because I know what it is like to struggle with fear and waver on faith. Sometimes I feel my fear has trumped faith but then I hear a song like "Glorious Unfolding" and am reminded to simply "watch and see and we will be amazed".
We will watch and see and we will be amazed
If we just keep on believing the story is so far from over
And hold on to every promise God has made to us
We'll see the glorious unfolding
