Whitnee's journey with Christ

In the beginning when we first found out my mom was diagnosed with cancer we did what we were taught to do; pray and trust God. In my heart I knew God didn’t bring her this far to let the story of her life end just now so we can began to pray. I don’t recall praying and asking God to remove the cancer because I knew it was going to bring blessings and glory to Him.

During this journey that began on the 18th of February I have not one time heard my mom complain. The average person would say, “Lord why me.” Instead of having that attitude, she has thanked God for using her to show others His grace and mercy.

In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon received an invitation from God. With this invitation he was open to receiving whatever he wanted. Solomon prayed and asked for wisdom!

If you received an invitation from God to receive anything…what would you ask for? Would you ask for riches, health, the fountain of youth, curse on your enemy, an end to this pandemic, an end to world hunger, racism, inequality, etc. I mean really think about this thing.

My son, do not forget my law,

But let your heart keep my commands;

For length of days and long life

And peace they will add to you.

Let not mercy and truth forsake you;

Bind them around your neck,

Write them on the tablet of your heart,

And so find favor and high esteem

In the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3: 1-6 NKJV

What did Solomon’s wisdom teach him? How has King Solomon’s wisdom bless not only him but how has it shaped your life?

The Bible tells us that the God-given wisdom taught Solomon that only a fool tries to solve life’s problems without God’s help. It has taught me to seek God in all things- when we are faced with things favorable or unfavorable- we still must trust God and praise Him anyway. That’s what my mom did.

Hearing my mom being diagnosed with cancer again didn’t come by surprise; though it was a shock initially. I’ve prayed from the beginning for God to have His way. Can I tell you this morning that although I accepted the Lord as savior over my life at the age of 14; my faith didn’t stop growing. I didn’t say Lord I trust you as head of my life and shut off the valve to much influence He has over me- I might not have gotten it right at 14 but by living just a little while longer I’ve learned to trust Him with all that I am. I am His- my life is not my own- our life is not our own.

So getting back to the title- an unselfish prayer. I remember sitting beside my moms bed when I initially heard the news that she had cancer- I remembered the peace and calmness about her. Here I am sitting here crying and she is just as content and at peace. We went to the first appointment at MUSC and the doctor had given my mom her options. One option was for her to have surgery to remove the cancer but there was a risk she would loose her voice box- meaning she could never talk again. Despite the risk, she trusted God.

At the time I didn’t know she made her mind up that she would proceed with the surgery but I remembered my moms prayer. She said, “All I want to be able to stand in front of God’s people and sing boldly and with confidence and tell someone how good God is.”

I mean she could have prayed for anything. She could have prayed for God to remove the cancer but she didn’t. She prayed to be able to speak and sing to sing praises to His name. Now if that’s not a reason to get you up shouting and praising God; you haven’t read anything yet. Your blessing is around the corner….keep on going!

On yesterday we had my moms first follow up appointment since her surgery. My mom was a little winded from the walk, her blood pressure was a little elevated but after the news we received it might not have been the walk- I truly believe it was the exciting news that was waiting on us on the other side of the door.

As my mom and I briefed the nurses and the doctors on how things were going at home they took her remaining sutures out from her back and the one near her trachea. Dr. Skoner said my mom was beautiful, she always called her a “little cutie.” She was very pleased with how she was looking and admired her positive spirit. So she did her thing and after noticing the Edema on my moms bottom lip she asked my mom to try and hold in her swollen tongue and put her lips together. She did it! After making a “kissy face” Dr. Skoner told my mom she looked like Viola Davis!

I’ve never met a doctor that gives as many compliments as this doctor but most importantly I’ve never met a group of medical staff that would sit and be as personable and allow God to come in and Have His way. If you remember my prayer in the beginning- it was for God to have His way.

What happened next was just God “showing out.”

I shared the progress report from home health and when it came to the speech therapy portion, the doctor said my mom should be able to speak now and swallow which neither of the two had happened. In a matter of five minutes or left after following the direction of the doctor, MY MOM SPOKE! Her first words since the surgery were I LOVE YOU!!!! If you could have seen her face and my eyes that quickly filled with tears of joy! You would have thought she never spoke in her life how happy we were. The doctor told her to try again and she boldly said, “thank you.”

It was time for a praise break then. So we did, we broke out in praise- right then and there! Oh but wait- God wasn’t through with her yet. Dr. Lentsch came in and told my mom SHE DID NOT HAVE TO UNDERGO SIX WEEKS OF RADIATION. TO BE MORE SPECIFIC SHE WOULD NOT HAVE TO HAVE RADIATION FOR THE “FORESEEABLE FUTURE.” I had to write in caps so you can understand my excitement in that moment.

That moment did not last just for a second but the joy has been carried over as I write, I write with great joy, I write with excitement, I write with praise!!!!

For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;

He will beautify the humble with salvation.

Psalm 149:4 NKJV

Just as God took pleasure in my mom, so does He take pleasure in you and I. God is rejoicing with us for our faithfulness and our obedience.

His word says He will beautify the humble with salvation- it don’t get no more beautiful than this.

We have to allow our life to be a praise to God. We have to allow our light to shine for Christ. We have to live to tell others about God. We have to love others as God loves us. We have to pray without ceasing and we have to praise continuously. This morning I praise God and I bless His Holy name. Not because of what He has done but for who He is.

This morning I have to encourage you to never loose faith in God. Never stop trusting and believing in Him. Everything you are going through right now will be worth it in the end- endure to the end; praise God continually; pray without ceasing!

Praise the Lord!

Praise God in His sanctuary;

Praise Him in His mighty firmament!

Praise Him for His mighty acts;

Praise Him according To his excellent greatness!

Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the luge and harp!

Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!

Praise Him with loud cymbals!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 150

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