Safety Belt

Life is a roller coaster. Some days are up, some are down, some are twisty spirals where you don’t know which way is up or down. Others it feels like you’re spinning in circles and not getting much of anywhere. I recently got the cutest pictures from my niece of my grand nephews and niece thoroughly enjoying Disney World. She sent photos of them with mouse glasses in place and ginormous grins.

This week Brent and I were in the backyard when we heard a tremendous crash. He ran to help and I called 911. A car had flipped at the intersection near our house. Thankfully the driver was wearing her safety belt and was scared and disoriented but all ok! May we always buckle up for the ride.

I recently had a 6 mo check in with my oncologist. All is good! Yay 🎊 but to figure that out I had to ride roller coaster of life. I’d found a weird mass and my oncologist wanted me to check in with my surgical team as they have the ultrasound machine. My doctor said, I’m not worried but… Has it ever worked to lessen anxiety when someone begins a sentence that way??

Brent and I left my oncologist’s office and before leaving the parking lot called the surgical team. Here’s the blessing- 10 min later due to a cancellation in their schedule, I was upstairs seeing the PA and being cleared since she could use the ultrasound to confirm the truth- the new mass is harmless scar tissue.

In retelling this story to a friend, I’m embarrassed to admit that I used the words, “I can’t catch a break”, to describe the pit in my stomach as I went through this. See I’m not one who enjoys roller coasters. My friend said, “I disagree- a same day appointment only 10 min later sounds like a break to me!”

She’s right. It was a gift to get cleared so quickly and not have to wait any longer, wondering and worrying. I’ve been pondering a truth- there are lies in my head. Do you have them too? Things like- you are alone, life will always be hard, things never go your way, there’s not enough_____ (fill in the blank) money, time, energy, or you are not enough…

I learned long ago that these poisonous lies exist and their antidote is truth. Somehow it’s very easy to loose sight of this. This is why gratitude is so powerful. In spending time being thankful, we are focused on what is good and true. This change of focus quiets the clamor of the lies. Paul says in Phil 4:8-9 that this is part of living in God’s peace.

We don’t always get to choose where our life goes or how fast or slow the ride will be. Sometimes we’re just hanging on through hair pin turns hoping not to land on our head. In the midst of treatment Brent and I took a trip up north to the Avenue of the Giants. After some rain, the sun burst forth shining through the dark forest of redwoods. It was a beautiful display of how light can shine the way.

I find that my daily time reading God’s book of truth, the Bible, fills my mind & heart with encouragement. Ps 119:105 says it this way, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” It combats the lies with truths like, God will never leave me alone, or make me face anything alone, His power is always enough, He made me a masterpiece and even has a plan for this post cancer tired body.

Choosing to buckle up for the adventure with our safety belt in place is part of being ready for twists or turns that come our way. Eph 6 describes our spiritual armor and part of it is the “belt of truth”. It’s an essential element of our success. We can listen to and believe truth or let the darkness of lies run the show.

Are there any lies getting the upper hand for you today? Or can you be a part of helping a friend see truth in the darkness? I’m so grateful for what my friend said to me and how the honesty of others helps me on my journey 💗