Day 29: Changing Your Story
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26
Have you ever had your heart “redirected” by God? Have you ever had that “AHA” moment when your eyes are opened and you see life with new eyes? Sometimes those moments are not pretty, or hit you from left field. They force you to be honest and open with your life, they make you real, they make you stop and take a second look at yourself. Do you like what you see?
My husband and I had an “AHA” moment called CANCER.
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There isn’t much more that can happen to a person than hearing the words, “You have cancer, you may have up to 5 years at the most to live. You will need extensive surgery, and you may never talk again.”
What? How? Why? What about our kids? What about me? God why? When will he die? I can’t do life alone. We have 3 kids, our youngest is one, will he see them grow up? Some would think these questions would be our “AHA” moments, but no they weren’t.
The word “PEACE” was our AHA moment. You ask how?
We were leaving the doctor’s office that day and we were scared, scared out of our minds. We were trying to hold it together until we got to the car, but somewhere between the doctor’s office and the elevator God did something only he can do. ( I get chills now just think about it.)
Through our tears, through the shaking, through the questions, God came over me in that elevator and gave me COMPLETE PEACE. Peace that only He can give, peace that surpasses all understanding, any doctor, and any medical test, He gave me peace.
Unless you have experienced this peace you may not understand, but in that moment God changed my heart. I knew no matter what happened that we would be alright. God spoke to me and told me my husband would be healed, and that we would be alright.
In that elevator I looked my husband in the eyes with huge tears and spoke the words to my husband that God had just given me, “God told me you are going to be fine”, amen. This is when our story changed, a story of death to a story of life.
My husband tells me to this day that those words are words that he held onto to get him through this journey. Our hearts were changed and we trusted God like we have never trusted him before.
We got up! We got up and dusted the pain off, the questions, and we pushed through. Pushed through the treatments, pushed through our doubt, pushed through our roadblocks, we pushed through.
We fully trusted in God to finish what he promised in that elevator, and God did. My husband has been in remission for four years, he is cancer free.
Have you had a time in your life where you just wanted to hide your head in the sand? Have you wanted to ignore a problem that just won’t go away? How are you going to “Get Up”? How will you “Rise Above”?
Kyle Idleman is my pastor at Southeast Christian Church and has written a new devotional book about lasting change. 40 Days To Lasting Change is a devotional that will ask the hard questions, it will ask you to dive deep, and see the change that can happen and last.
How are you going to change your story?
Day 30: Getting Past Passivity
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you… Acts 1:8
Live, I think that will be my word for 2015. Live a healthy life, live as an example to my children, live selfless, focus on my marriage more, and to just have fun. I don’t want to sit while my kiddos are outside, I want to run and play with them. I don’t want to neglect my marriage, I want to have more dates and getaways planned.
I want to live life, not feel like life is running me. I have sat by for far to long and lived a passive life that I have wanted to change. So I am no longer going to sit, I am going to run, I am going to live.
How about you? Do you have a word that you are declaring for yourself in 2015? Are you going to rise up and run? I challenge you to choose your word, and post it somewhere in your house as a daily reminder, and just do it.
Choose a word as a family too! Live that word with them throughout this next year. You could change you family tree with just one word.
I am excited to see what this new year has in store, what about you?
Kyle Idleman is my pastor at Southeast Christian Church and has written a new devotional book about lasting change. 40 Days To Lasting Change is a devotional that will ask the hard questions, it will ask you to dive deep, and see the change that can happen and last. It is a devotion that I encourage you to study.
Enter our giveaway below!
Visit our other bloggers taking place in this link-up for more posts about 40 Days to Lasting Change!
I would love to have the NKJV Duck Commander Faith and Family Bible
The Duck Commander bible would be a first choice of mine too!
Congratulations to your husband — and to you — on his remission! I’m so moved by your faith and reminder of God’s peace. Thanks for sharing!
Dede recently posted…Blogger opportunity – Sign up with IZEA
Only His peace and goodness helped me keep the faith that we needed through this tough time. Thank you for your kind words.
First of all let me say how amazing I think God is! I am so happy for your husband, you and your family that your husband is in remission - Praise God! My husband was in an accident over two years ago I know all about being redirected by God. Our faith is stronger now then ever, it’s by God’s grace that we haven’t given up. Thank you for sharing !
Kim @ This Ole Mom recently posted…14 Realistic New Year’s Resolutions for 2015
Yes, only God’s Grace can carry you through. Being redirected is not pleasant sometimes, but God can use any situation and show us his goodness. God bless, and thank you for stopping by.
Great post, I love using the word “LIVE” for 2015! I will have to think of a defining word as well. Thanks so much! If I don’t win the book, I’ll definitely have to get a copy for myself! Thanks again.
Debi @14-in-2014.com recently posted…I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
When you find your word Debi you’ll have to come back and let me know what it is. Thank you for commenting.
Praise God! Thanks so much for encouraging us with the testimony of your husband and the commitment to trust him even in times when you do not know the end result then reminding us to LIVE abundantly. Enjoyed it Alana!
Kimberly Bolden recently posted…Commit – My One Word for 2015
Thank you Kimberly! I love your word for 2015. To commit can be so hard sometimes, God bless.
I need a new bible! I’d like to get the Life Application Study Bible (HCSB). I’ve been reading the HCSB using YouVersion and I’d like to get it in a study bible format.
Thank you for stopping by Amanda!
Very interesting story. Happy New Year for you and your family Alana!
Ilona @ Ilona’s Passion recently posted…Happy New Year 2015
What a great post! It’s so reassuring to know that God is there for us to lean on when times get rough.
I would love to get the She is Blessed cutting board.
Thank you for your sweet comment Belinda!
What an amazing story to tie in with your review. Thanks for sharing your blessings and giving God the glory. And I love the photo with the book, coffee cup and your website. Nice job!!
As for what I want from Family Christian….. what do they have that I don’t want? I want the newest WOW cd.
Janet recently posted…Review: Growing Up Social
Thank you Janet! I hope you are doing well, and had a great Christmas. I love coffee too. 😉
I love the Mr. & Mrs. “Rules” Plaque. In store there are also a few Mr & Mrs decor items I’d love for our master bedroom
Randi Sampson recently posted…2015: My New Years Resolutions
Such a great post! I like the word thing. It’s something simple and having it out in the open will make it more encouraging. I think my word this year will be Family. I plan to make the most of the time we spend together. Thanks for this wonderful post!
Jessica recently posted…2015 Family Fun Bucket List
Family is a great word! I love your family bucket list. There is a meteor shower this weekend. 😉 I will have to steal your list for my family.
What a beautiful story. My daughter was diagnosed with cancer at 6 months old and is now Cancer free. I so wanted to hide in those first few days. In fact I checked out for awhile. But God showed me he was there, he never left our side. I am so thankful for his grace, compassion, and perseverance in the midst of our darkest times.
Congratulations to you and your husband!
Hope, I am so happy to hear your daughter is cancer free! I get it, checking out is a survival instinct of sorts for me. But, as you said God shows up and you know he has it all in his hands. His grace is perfect! Congratulations to you guys too.
I love your idea of using “Live” as your New Years motivation! I think I might have to steal that
Thanks for visiting my blog Cat!
Thanks for visiting my blog Cat!
That peace that surpasses understanding is the absolute best feeling and just a tiny taste of heaven! Thanks so much for sharing your encouraging story, not just because your hubs is cancer free BUT because you stood in faith, BELIEVING what God spoke to you!!!
Michelle recently posted…15 Things I’m NOT Going To Do In The New Year
Only He can give that peace, and when he does it’s life changing! Thank you for your sweet words.
Sounds like a great book - perfect read for the new year.
Danielle K recently posted…New Year, New Me + Spartan Race Giveaway
Thank you for stopping by my blog Danielle!
there is something about trusting and leaning on God. The Joy is when you and your spouse can become one and fight through the challenges of life. I know me and my husband have face some things that only God could fix. I also declared 2015 as greater for us and just last night I created a date jar and we each put in things we wanted to do and every Friday night or Saturday we will pick one.
Oh, I love the date jar idea! Do you have a blog post about it? I would love to see it.
What a wonderful story…also a great reminder of what an awesome God we serve! Looks like a very good devotional.
Jamie recently posted…Caramel Pecan Cake
Yes, God is good Jamie!
That is exactly what I have decided to do in 2015. Have more fun, enjoy life, enjoy my family, my husband and myself!!!
Caroline recently posted…My 10 Goals for 2015
I would love to hear some of your fun ideas Caroline!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It was touching and I can so understand about that AHA moment. Unless you experience it is hard to understand. Thank you and congratulations on your husband remission. Happy New Year.
Joyce@My Stay At Home Adventures recently posted…5 Steps To Creating Goals For A Better You In 2015
Thanks Joyce! I hope you have a great year.
I totally get the feeling of peace coming over you. I feel that too with God. I hope your husband gets well soon!
Lauren Richardson recently posted…Asymmetrical
Thank you for stopping by Lauren!
Your story is amazing and very moving! So so happy to hear he is cancer free.
I had one of those life-changing moments in high school. I was pregnant at 16, and our daughter was stillborn, now there is a whole book around this story, but the bottom line is that it changed my life in ways that I can’t even begin to summarize, it is way too much. But, suffice it to say, I have never been the same person I was before that event, some of those I believe are good changes, and others are, well, changes. One thing it caused me to see clearly would be that my relationships are of paramount importance, and that is where my focus has been and always will be. The one huge takeaway for me was to never take anyone for granted and to enjoy the moment. Thanks for sharing your story! I’ll be thinking about a “word” for us for the new year. Peace!
Debbie recently posted…Why Do Men Want Man Caves?
Wow! I would love to read your book. I agree not all the changes have been great, but they have been changes, changes that shape us to who we are today, a family that loves each other more than ever before. Yes, do not take the people you love for granted. I would love to hear your word for the year if you decide on one.
Wow Alana! God is so good! Congratulations to your husband and family for 4 years of being cancer free! My friends little girl just hit her 5 year mark of being cancer free and they are ecstatic! Such an inspiration on how to lean on God and his peace during hard times!
Tara Joy recently posted…Transformation Guest Post Series: Amanda from His Passion, Our Fashion
Every year, month, day that goes by is a blessing! Thank God your friends baby girl is doing good. Thank you for commenting.
I love the idea of picking a word for the year-and “live” is a great one! Thanks for this great post! The book sounds like a good read.
Lou @ Mommy Sanest recently posted…Coping with Your Kid’s Holiday Hangover
Thank you for taking the time to stop by!
Praise the Lord that He met you there and gave you that peace to push through and Praise God that healing came. Your word for 2015 seems appropriate for all of us to seek hard after, living fully in God. My one word is Behold and it always amazes me how personal God is when we pursue HIM.
Blessings,
Dawn
Dawn recently posted…See and Behold
Great word Dawn, “Behold”! I love it. Thank you for stopping by.
Oh I needed this post today! I love your word for 2015 and I think that I may take it as my own! I need to live a little bit more!
I love hearing that your husband is in remission! That was a beautiful story and that feeling peace, oh how amazing it is when it comes over you!
For the giveaway, I totally need a new Catholic Study Bible as my one from when I was a teenager has, ummm, seen better days (two dogs, two kids, lots of moves, and well, yeah, it’s not in the best shape anymore).
Jessi Fearon (@TheBudgetMama) recently posted…7 Tips for Saving Money All Year Long
Yes, we all need to “Live” a little more. I find that I get hyper focused on small things and forget the big picture. I want more fun life! Thank you for your kind comment, and good luck on the giveaway. I totally understand the tattered bible, I have a few that look like that.
LIVE….what a great word! I want to LIVE more this year, too. I want to live in the NOW and be less concerned with the past and the future. Often, I find that it’s hard for me to just be present in the current moment, but I know that is where God hangs out. He dwells in those “now” moments.
Yes, more “now” moments! I want to have more fun. Thank you for the encouragement!
Woah! What a crazy story! I’m so glad to hear that your husband is doing well now!
Brittany at Equipping Godly Women recently posted…5 Ways to Find True Contentment as a Stay-at-Home Mom
Thank you Brittany, it is a crazy story I hope no one ever has to go through.
Glad to have found your site and am excited to enter the giveaway for this book. It sounds awesome!!
Amy @Home & Farm Sense recently posted…Sweet Potato Sausage Soup
Thank you for stopping by Amy!