Monday, August 23, 2010

Warriors

(Please watch movie clip above before reading. It is a clip from a movie titled "Letters to God". The main character, Tyler, has a rare form of cancer and may not live much longer. He and his best friend, Sam, are at her grandfather’s house, and her grandfather is trying to give Tyler some much needed encouragement.)

I finally mustard up the courage to watch a movie about cancer. For me, this was not an easy task. Up until now, I have avoided any book, movie or TV show that approached the subject of cancer. I had to stop watching some of my favorite TV shows like Grey's Anatomy or Brothers & Sisters because the subject matter included cancer. But I came across this movie on Netflix titled "Letters to God" and I felt compelled to watch it. Inspired by a true story, the movie is about a young boy fighting cancer who writes letters to God, touching lives in his neighborhood and community and inspiring hope in everyone he comes in contact. He learns that God can receive Glory by how he dealt with his suffering. I have been thinking a lot about this movie for quite sometime. Especially about the clip I included above. I was nearly in tears as I watched the boy being told by a neighborhood friend that he was chosen by God to receive the honor of being chosen as one of God's warriors. This boy chose to proudly accept the role as God's warrior and as a result his life's story of battling cancer he impacted many of those in his community.

I have decided that anyone faced with an illness or difficulty in life has been chosen by God to be his warrior. After being diagnosed with cancer, I have become more and more aware of how many people in this world are hurting or battling an illness. Never before have I had this awareness. I lived in a bubble and did not pay attention to the many people in my life, stranger or no stranger, that were facing cancer, health issues, financial difficulty or were part of a broken family. As I have become more and more aware of these people in my life, I am in awe of the strength, faith and positive attitudes that they demonstrate in the midst of their suffering. These people are warriors, chosen by God. Their suffering has become a testimony to me and to many others of the power of God's healing and grace. After watching the movie, I too considered myself one of God's warriors and at times felt that the reason for my cancer was to reveal God's truth and glory. I am not sure of how good of a job I did or am doing, but if I impacted at least one life through this journey, it was worth it. To this day, I am still amazed at the strength and resilience of the human spirit including my own. I continue to meet survivors, or warriors, that inspire me to have faith and ride forth victoriously in truth, humility and righteousness. From this day on, I am going to open myself to learning from other warriors and will not hesitate to offer a helping hand in any way I can.

My days are now filled with hyperbaric treatments. I wish I could say that the monotony of going to treatment every day is nice for a change. But I am already for these treatments to be done with. I have about 30 more treatments to go. The new flap that was taken from my cheek is healing really well. However, I still have the hole that doesn't seem to want to heal. My doctor still hopes that with hyperbaric treatment it will close on its own. It takes about 20 treatments before a patients starts to see results. I am happy the hole has not gotten any bigger.

Please continue to pray for healing...especially for the hole that needs to close!

Much love,
Sue

9 comments:

Sabrina said...

I include you in my prayers daily! You are a warrior!

Anonymous said...

Sue, I've added this movie to my "bucket list!" Thank you for being a warrior for so many of us who gain strength and encouragement from you. Hang in there with the hyperbaric treatments...it is wonderful to read that the new flap is "healing really well!" keep that in mind...you are healing!!!! The treatments may be monotonous, but...keep the light at the end of the tunnel in mind; for yourself, Jason, the girls, all of your family, and friends! We continue to pray each and everyday for continued good news....we are also praying that Mackenzie's surgery went well!!!
Kari Karrmann Sides

Anonymous said...

Just saw this movie Saturday. I so thought of you Sue! Precious, valuable , chosen! Honored to lift, love, and wrap you and family in prayer! hugs

-liz w-

Anonymous said...

Hi Sue,
Very beautiful and well said- you are a warrior dear Sue and God has been glorified in your battle. Even though we worry about our outward appearance God is more concerned with our soul- Sue your soul is BEAUTIFUL and by reading the words in your blog you have been transformed from the inside out. You challenge us all to continue to focus on what really matters. Thank you for being so transparent and sharing your heart with us all. I believe you have brought others to God and will continue to do so as you share your journey.
I will continue to pray for healing and for WARRIOR LIKE strength for all of you.
Love and hugs,
Nikki

Farmgirl Paints said...

perfect!

Anonymous said...

Sue, you've ministered to me so much with your blog posts - they're filled with honesty and courage and real notes on how to be a princess warrior. I'm so glad the hyperbaric treatments are working, and I pray for courage for the remaining ones. You're such an encouragement to me. Thanks. Praying for more healing!

Anonymous said...

Sue,
You are a true warrior and you have helped to grow the faith of many. I'm glad the treatments are working and hope you will continue to heal.
Love,
Maryann Raese

Anonymous said...

Sue,
I wanted to let you know that I'm still praying for you, I still believe God has great plans for you and that he will heal you, even if it is slowly. I think you're right, God does choose special people to be his warriors. God sees the world exactly opposite of the way the rest of us do. You're special and precious to Him. Not only by going through all the suffering and pain that you have, are you able to be a light and help others see God, but you are also able to see Him and all that he can do for you. You are a warrior for God, and a Victorious warrior.
I will pray for healing and that these treatments work!! Also, over the past year, as I have read your posts, you continuosly remind me of what is most important in life, and to always focus on God. Thank you so much for your honesty in your blogs, I think you've touched and helped more people than you know, so thank you!
Andrea Wackerfuss

Anonymous said...

Dearest Sue -

Even I have a hard time accepting the fact that this is all part of God's "plan." Seriously? Like He couldn't have chosen a different way to go about this?

But, oh, how I have learned.

I know I've said this before... "Faith" is trusing in advance, what only makes sense looking in reverse.

Battle on, fellow warrior! You go girl!

Much Love,
Jami Helvick