Today is the first day of the rest of your life. That’s what the Lord woke me up with yesterday.  It was just what I needed to hear. A recent medical diagnosis has made the last few months very hard for me, physically. That naturally affected me emotionally and spiritually.  But, I woke up yesterday feeling better than I have felt in a long time.  The medical prognosis is still the same. That hasn’t changed. Although, it is good. Well, as good as it can be given the diagnosis.  And, I know there may still be challenging days ahead both emotionally and spiritually.  However, my attitude and my perspective has changed.   

I spent a great deal of time during the last few months wondering if people would treat me differently once they found out I have cancer. A serious illness can cause some serious reflection.  The truth of the matter is difficult situations do not have to change relationship. However, they can reveal the true nature of them. 

For a long time it was hard for me to be comfortable sharing this news with anyone who didn’t have to know.  Now, I’m less concerned with making everyone else comfortable than I am with holding myself accountable. Not just to others, but to God.  

What is your challenge today? Mine is to allow God to walk me through this season of cancer at his pace, not mine. Yours might be walking through unemployment, divorce, the loss of a loved one to Covid-19 or simply a bad day. Just remember, whatever you are facing, you are not facing it alone.  Find solace in the words of Joshua 1:5.  The Lord will never leave you or forsake you. 

I recently wrote an essay called The Things we Tell People. Which although it was about my cancer diagnosis, was more about how we share our lives with others. How honest or dishonest, transparent or secretive we are about what we are dealing with.  The scripture 3 John 1:3 reminds us that above all else, God’s desire for us is to prosper and be in good health even as our soul prospers.  We can be in good health with a medical condition. We can prosper and not be wealthy.

Meditate on that today. God hasn’t changed. He hasn’t left you. His will can still be done in your life for the rest of your life.  Whether that’s a few months or 20 years, it starts today.  And, that same amount of time will pass whether you use it to live life abundantly or let life pass you by. Do you know what God has in store for the rest of your life? Why not ask him today?