“Waiting is the worst!”
I’ve said it … I’ve heard … I’ve lived it.
Waiting for small things (checkout lines, traffic jams, customer service) is mostly just an irritant. In our instant, microwave, “fast-food” culture we’ve grown accustomed to getting what we want right away. I’m smiling thinking about the recent AT&T 4G ads, “That’s so 30 seconds ago!”
When it comes to waiting for HUGE things (employment, diagnosis), circumstances go from being an irritant to an all-out assault, mostly on my heart. Waiting can be maddening … what if’s, possibilities, scenarios, each of which provoke different emotions and reactions. Waiting leaves me hanging, I’m left with equal but opposite possible outcomes of good and bad.
Amid the battle of waiting, the anticipation of what will become reality, there is a voice of certainty … assurance. It has less to do with circumstances, and everything to do with presence … His presence. The voice intrudes on darkness and fills these moments with light. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Kimberly and I have been bathed in the light of God’s love through the truth of His word and the care of His people. We have felt peace like never before. We are overwhelmed by the community of faith that is walking in the waiting with us, prayerfully seeking the strength of God on our behalf.
We now have a surgery date on the calendar … Wednesday, January 25. The plan at this point is a simple mastectomy, but testing will be done on surrounding tissue and the lymph nodes. If cancer is discovered beyond the mass, then a radical mastectomy will be performed. The initial biopsy has indicated that the cancer is most likely contained, but we will not know for sure until the surgery is complete.
Thank you to all who are praying with us through this. We will share more results as we receive them.
Grace upon grace
Thanks for the update and great word on “waiting”. You and Kimberly are in my prayers. Thanks for sharing your faith journey as you go through this difficult time. I love your description of the light of His presence. May He continually sustain your family with peace and hope in Christ.
Your brother,
Steve Lessman
God has had us in this same place too. He longs for us to sit and rest in His everlasting arms while we wait. Some days are harder than others, but we’ve been amazed at the peace he’s given when we make the choice to trust Him for that day. We have a quote up in our kitchen that says, “Fear not tomorrow, for the Lord is already there!” What an awesome Father we have! Thanks for your encouragement to wait well. We are lifting you all up.
In Christ,
Nicole Henderson
Great thoughts Monty. Catherine and I can relate to both the agony of waiting and the supernatural comfort of His presence. It is an incredible time to walk through with Him and it teaches so much more about Who He is. We are praying for you and Kimberly and your family!
Rich
Thank u for doing this blog! The pierce family is praying