Royally Waiting….and Waiting – Link-up
Summer finally caught up to me, well to all three of us if we are being honest! Holly, Katy and I are so sorry to have skipped right over the Royally Waiting link-up with no notice. We’ve all been waiting to catch our breaths I think. I am finally to a normal pace at work once again and all the praise for that! Every Monday I would tell myself “if you can just get through this week you can breathe” and that went on for about six weeks. I would lie if I said a part of me doesn’t love it but it is nice to have our budget tied up and my white board looking less intimidating!
So, yes, I’ve been waiting and waiting to breathe this summer and today I’m sharing the one really big piece of news I received yesterday which definitely has me breathing a big sigh of relief and praising God for answered prayers!
About a month back I shared on Royally Waiting Wednesday my struggle with letting go and letting God. I shared this verse I found, “But now Lord what do I look for? My hope is in you” -Psalm 39:7. I happened across it just when I needed it most. After nights of laying wide praying so deeply but not really letting go and trusting God had everything under control, I finally turned it all over.
Here is this super special guy who I was laying my heart out for friends. This guy right here, my baby brother, holds just such a special piece of my heart. I’ve loved him since the day he was born with my whole heart.
On June 30th he got the news a spot which had been removed from his arm was melanoma. I’m seriously not one to jump directly to negative town friends but when he called to tell me I was immediately in panic mode. Our family does not have a great track record where cancer is concerned. To be honest I was seriously petrified. Losing him was not something I have ever, ever imagined and the thought of it just cratered me.
I immediately called on my prayer team, my sweet friends who know how much he means to me, and I totally felt their prayers. There were lots and lots of talks with God and I may have even begged. The oncologist ordered a PET scan and then we waited for what seemed to be a month but was really only a few days. When I received the text letting me know the scan was clear and no tumors where found anywhere else in his body I could not control the tears. It was a sloppy, wet, snot running out your nose kind of cry and I think I slept all night for the first time in weeks.
Last Wednesday the dermatologist performed a surgery to remove additional tissue and yesterday we received the pathology report noting all the cancer has been removed. He still has one more visit with an oncologist but this news is seriously something huge to celebrate.
So we are praising God over here for answered prayers! And praising him for what I’m hoping we have all learned from this experience. I’m praying my brother hugs his kids and wife just a little tighter every day. I’m praying he sets aside his job more and takes advantage of those opportunities to make memories. I’m praying that he feels the overwhelming power of God like never before!
If you have never followed along with the First 5 app it really is an easy way to have some daily quiet time that truly takes your first 5 minutes of the day. This past week or so it has been about suffering and when I saw this it really struck a chord. God’s goodness is not something we deserve or earn. When God brings suffering into our lives it is not about us but our response to the suffering that has the power to reveal God to the world. You will just have to trust me and head over to read the rest of this lesson yourself because it truly impacted me and made me think.
So that’s what I’ve been waiting on! Now it’s your turn to share what you have been up to.
While not required, we would love for you to follow along with us on some form of social media! At the very least check out a few of the others who have linked up and be sure to share Royally Waiting with your readers if you link!
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God is so Good, my friend! Praying for your baby brother and family.
Thank you Heather! Truly such praise here this week!
That is the very best news Shelly!!! I am so happy for you and your family;cancer is so scary and in the face of it it can be so difficult to really give it all over to God. What a wonderful feeling! Those big sloppy, snot running out of your nose cries are so healing – good for you girl!
xo,
Kellyann
Thank you Kellyann. Cancer just scared the hell out of me. I was truly just so scared but as always amazed at how trusting God could calm me.
That’s just awesome news about your brother! I am so thankful God answers prayers!
Thanks Laura! I really am so relieved and sending so much praise.
So happy for a good report friend! Praising and celebrating with you.
Thank you Beth! I’m over joyed.
Wow. That must have been so hard. I am thrilled for your (and your brother’s) good news!
Thank you Sara. Definitely feeling relieved.
Oh that’s such good news! PTL!
Thank you Amy!
Oh my goodness. I am so happy you got the news and your prayers were answered. Turning it over to God is just one of the hardest things. I know it shouldn’t be but when you are a little bit of a control freak (ahem) it’s truly a struggle and a challenge. What a weight to have lifted. ❤️
Yes…control freak issues get me all the time in all areas! 🙂 There is so little I control anymore so I don’t know why I’m still so stubborn.
Praise God!!!! I’m so glad to hear that he is okay. Melanoma can be a terrifying thing. Stuff like this really makes me regret using the tanning bed back in my high school and college years.
Lindsay, I opened google the first week I found out and read about 4 words and shut my browser. I just could not let my mind go any further. I definitely spent my fair share in tanning beds as well. So glad there is so much more information out there now.
I know how heavy this has been on your heart. Our God is good and he loves us so much. So glad that Brian is cancer free!!! All the praise hands!
Praise God for answered prayers!!! I am glad he received the all clear. I receive a couple of daily devotionals, and have never heard of the First 5 app. I am definitely going to check it out.
Definitely check it out Jennie. It pops up on my phone each day so it’s a great reminder to head over and read and it can be a 5 minute read or there are plenty of links to dive in deeper. I like that it is typically a series that builds each day.
I’m so glad he’s ok! It seems like cancer is all around me lately, and it’s a relief to hear that you had some good news. God is good!
Cancer just scares the tar out of me Tanya. So many people fighting so many battles.
Glad that they got it in time, continued prayers for him.
On most days, I take public transportation to work and it is about a 5 to 7 minute walk to the bus stop from my house and it is quiet. It is the perfect time to have some quiet time to myself, thoughts and prayers before the day begins.
Thanks for hosting and have a wonderful week.
I definitely think finding those moments to carve out that bring us peace are so important Pat. It really does set the tone for the day.
So glad that they caught it and that everything came back clear! Man, what a relief. I almost cried just reading this post!
I know Sarah….it was just weighing so heavy on my mind. I just love him so much and am so happy for him.
God is good! I will be praying for a healthy next visit for your brother. What a scary time but you know, Shelley, every step of the way, Christ has had you all in His hands. He carries you through when your days are long and your cares troubled. Hugs, friend!
Thank you Stephanie. Yes, these things I know and I always look back and realize the peace only He can give me when I finally give in and trust.
That’s the best news! I was wondering how things were going with your brother, and have been keeping you all in my prayers!
Thank you Lana! I meant to email you but got distracted. 🙂
I’m so happy to hear your brother is okay! Melanoma and cancer scares are definitely no fun.