Taking time to remember

The one year anniversary of my cancer diagnosis is just around the corner. Today, I was in a contemplative mood and thought it would be good to start focusing on all God's done in my life since that life altering day. Remembering is an important part of a faith journey and God's done so much over the past year, I didn't know where to begin.

I remembered that in the bottom of my coat closet lay a large fabric duffle bag. In that bag were all the greeting cards I've received since June 5, 2014. There are hundreds of them, all shapes and sizes. Some of them are from friends I've known for many years. Some of them are from people I've never met. I decided that would be a good place to start, so I pulled out the bag. It was heavy! I took the bag to the kitchen table and spread them out. There were so many!

As I looked at them, I couldn't get over the massive number of cards I'd received. The table top is covered in a bright array of color. I sift through them and choose one randomly. Reading the sweet sentiment brings me to tears. I pick up another and then another. Reading each one carefully, I ask God to bring to mind a visual image of each person. For the people I don't know, I ask Him to just remind me of their kindness to a complete stranger, and He does.

I'm quickly overwhelmed as I read through each and every card. I remember how I felt many of the days in the past year and how, when I heard the mail truck nearing my mailbox, I'd perk up just a little wondering if someone had sent me a card. Those little cards got me through some really dark days and every single one of them came in God's perfect timing.

Some days I'd receive a card that was funny...those seemed to come on days when I was really down in the dumps. Other days, I'd receive a card that contained a verse or two of Scripture. Those cards came when I was feeling very alone and in need of encouragement. God used so many people to minister His love to me throughout the past year.

There were a couple of friends who faithfully sent me cards every week or so... Margot and Sarah. One of these ladies, Margot, I've known for many years and she is a very dear friend to me. She knows me very well and knows her funny sense of humor always makes me smile. She never failed to infuse her faith with her silliness and for that, I am deeply grateful. Another friend, Sarah, I've never had the privilege of meeting. This woman is in her 90's and is an artist. She, like Margot, sent beautiful handmade creations. Their cards are the most special to me because of the time and effort they put into making their cards.

As I gently touched several of their cards, I thought about the processes they took to compile their cards. There were various textures and mediums used. I'm a card maker too, so I really enjoyed seeing their creativity. Each one of their cards was different and unique.

The cards displayed over my table reminded me that people, just like the cards, are all very different. Some of them are sweet and gentle. Others are bold and sassy. In every instance though, God knew which ones would bless me and on which day He'd prompt each specific one of them to contact me.

The cards have all but stopped coming now. Sometimes I feel a little discouraged that I'm not remembered as often as I was in the past, but I know people's lives get busy. I'm sure God will occasionally prompt one of them to send me another card, or text, or maybe even nudge them to make a phone call in the future on those days I could use a little hug.

Isn't God good? He knows our needs even before we ask. He knows when we need a little extra TLC and sometimes, He uses others to be His hands and feet. I'm so thankful for all the sweet friends who took the time to follow His leading during the toughest year of my life. They may have thought their quick scribble on a drugstore card was just a simple act of thoughtfulness but those cards...those precious cards are so much more than that to me! I've kept each and every one as a special momento. One of these days, I'm going to put them all into a scrapbook so I'll have a permanent record of those gestures of love.

It's almost been a year since my diagnosis. I'll never forget that horrible day, the day my life was forever changed, but God, in His mercy and grace, used this past year for my good. It's taken me almost an entire year to understand and see His hand guiding me through each part of my journey, but it was always there and I am so very grateful.

Whenever you feel a little prompting in your spirit to drop someone a note or make a phone call, don't hesitate! Be obedient and do it. Someone may be waiting for a word of encouragement and God may be planning on using you to meet their need. I've been on the receiving end and I've been on the giving end, too. What a blessing both can be!

If you are one of the people who took time to write me a note or send me a card during the past year, please know how very precious you are to me! Your card or letter is among those scattered across my table right now and among those I hold so dear to my heart. Thank you, thank you, thank you! And may God bless you for your kindness! With love, Bonnie

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