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Flying Lessons by Sharon Stock
On April 12, 2005, I went to the ER with severe abdominal pain and came home with a CT scan showing signs that ovarian cancer had returned after a year-and-a-half hiatus. What you're about to read are the thoughts and feelings I had shortly after I got that news. So, fasten your seat belt and relax while we take a faith-empowered spiritual flight departing from the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Destination: Heaven. Estimated Time of Travel: Eternity. Cost: Paid for by Jesus' death on the cross 2,000 years ago.
Please don't feel sorry for me. I have the privilege and joy of displaying God's glory by just sticking close to Him while I encounter the pain and difficulties associated with cancer.
If you did a CT scan of my heart right now, you'd see that it is fully intact, and that it is filled with incredible joy. I'm also waiting with expectancy to see what God is going to do next. I've read God's love letter, and it says that no matter what happens, it's all good.
I'm good to go – either way. Whether I live or die I win because Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection freed me from the death penalty I deserve. My body doesn't always cooperate, but I can assure you my spirit is flying.
The Love of my Life has given me this awesome gift in a package the world doesn’t accept. Hmmm. Sounds a lot like the Messiah’s coming in the package of Jesus that people of the time threw away on the cross.
And, so it is with intense gratitude that I walk this road, knowing that I fly under the power, and in the glory of, the creator of the universe and the very embodiment of Love.
In a sense, these are just flying lessons because I'll be spending eternity in a supernatural, freedom flight with others who have entrusted their lives to the only One who is truly trustworthy.
Sharon Stock is a California-based writer, editor, and graphic designer with more than 20 years experience in print and Web communications. Most recently, she has accepted a Web design and content development position with William Jessup University in Rocklin,California. She is an unmarried mother of three college-age children: Eric, 22, Megan, 20, and Brianne, 17. Sharon has been in remission for 18 months. She continues treatment for chemo-related nerve damage in her feet, legs, and right arm, and for hearing loss and memory deficits.
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People pray for good health, but what they don't
understand is that sometimes our Heavenly Father chooses to allow sickness to
glorify Him as we remain faithful to Him in the midst of intense
suffering. Job complained about his affliction, but he still remained faithful. It was a testimony to
God's work in his life and it still is when God's people do that today.
