This Time Last Year

1 Chronicles 16:8-9 

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord!


Call upon His name; 
Make known His deeds among the peoples!

Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
 Talk of all His wondrous works!"

One year ago today I went for a repeat mammogram, which led to an ultrasound and a biopsy, all in about three or four hours.  I left my house with the intention of being gone a couple of hours.  A quick mammogram and then a stop by Hobby Lobby before returning home to cook supper.

My life changed that day.

It was the beginning of an anxiety ridden month.  It was also the beginning of a test of my faith.  Did I really believe what I always said?  "Thanksgiving produces joy." Could I really be thankful in all circumstances?  Could I really count my blessings every day?

I could.  I did--some days were hard, but I did.  And I am still thankful.  I have learned so many lessons the past year! My diagnosis of breast cancer and subsequent double mastectomy stopped me in my tracks last year.  One year later, there is rarely a day that goes by that I don't think about it.  But with every thought, there is always the thankfulness.  

Habakkuk 3:17 

"Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines;

Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food;

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls--

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."

I am thankful, so very thankful that my cancer was detected early and that surgical treatment was all that I needed.

I am thankful that I recovered so quickly from all of my surgeries and procedures.

I am thankful that I have regained my physical strength, and that I ran a marathon!  And now I am training for yet another marathon. (Yes, I am crazy!)

I am thankful for the outpouring of love and support I received from my husband, my family, my friends, and people that I didn't even know.

I am thankful for all of the prayers offered on my behalf and God's answers to those prayers.

I am thankful for the lessons in compassion that I learned.

1 Thessalonians. 5:17-18 

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."