By Published On: November 30th, 2016Categories: Encouragement, Leader BlogComments Off on A NW Testimony of Thanksgiving
This post of thanksgiving is from NWer Debby Meredith, who is beginning treatments for colon cancer …

Thinking about Thanksgiving way back, I knew I wanted to share at this service this year as I have much to be thankful for. Well, it turns out I had to rush off to Arizona to a promising clinic that offers low dose chemo with nutrition and couldn’t be here today. Really this is one of God’s mercies as He knows I do not like to talk in front of big groups and now someone else gets to read this. 

It seems fitting that I am in the desert seeking treatment as I am in a desert of sorts in life, facing cancer. The amazing thing about the desert is that it has it’s own type of beauty if you look for it. Cities make beautiful designs on the freeways out of rocks and drape Christmas lights on cacti. Looking for the beauty in this desert of life is one of the lessons I know God has for me during this time. I am thankful for this cancer in my body to help rid the cancer in my heart. God has taught me so much about life, love, mercy, faith and so much more than I can share here. 

I think what I am most thankful for is God’s gift of showing me how much He loves me and how much bigger than me His plan for having cancer has been. Psalm 139:16 says ‘Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.’ This time was planned for my good, though sometimes that is easier to see than others. You see, I always lived in the shadow of knowing I deserved death and anything bad that happened I deserved. I have not lived in the fullness and freedom that God’s love and forgiveness brings through Christ’s death. Through the love of my husband, dad, kids, this congregation and the body of Christ in this community at large, I have experienced God’s vast and immeasurable love in such a personal way that it is so humbling and overwhelming and invokes more gratitude than I can express, so I usually just cry. More amazing is that I know now that this is just a fraction of how much He loves me and you too. I hope I will have lots of opportunities to show and share the life changing love of God I have experienced with others.

Debby Meredith