Hope Wipes Out Worry
Our cute brother underwent surgery again on Friday. They were hoping to remove any cancerous spots on his liver and re-attach his colon so he would not have to wear a bag. The doctors came back with not good news. They found more cancer…but some good news came last night…. that some of the “new” cancer they found was actually shrinking! So that means the chemo is working. They did blast out the cancer that was on the outside of his liver but they don’t know if there is more on the inside. Our entire family has had a rush of emotions come flooding over us …..and it has been tough ….as you can imagine. But through this affliction we continue to have great hope. Tim himself is still very positive and has a great outlook on the whole thing.
I struggled to figure out a way to send some hope to my brother especially since I live far way…..until I taught a lesson to our Young Women on Sunday about Following the Example of Jesus Christ and one particular story touched me.
A young girl was having a hard time in her life. She was filled with discontent. Everything seemed wrong…friends, her home was unattractive, her own personality was unattractive, they were poor etc.. To get help she went to a lady that was leading the kind of life she wanted to have. The girl poured out her heart to the lady and after a gentle word of sympathy said, You can change all that if really have the will to do it…
To begin a new life…live for 24 hours as if Christ were right beside you, seeing everything you do. Then come to me again and we’ll talk about it again. Will you do that? The young girl agreed. The girl went home and she knew she was expected to get the table set…she went and took out a wrinkled tablecloth that had stains on it…Here she had her first thought of change. “If Christ were coming to eat with us, I wouldn’t put on a soiled tablecloth” she thought in her mind. So she got a clean one and then thought to put a small bowl of flowers from the yard on the table and put the butter on a fresh plate. Her family was shocked…and asked her who was coming for dinner? The girl said I don’t know of anyone I’d rather fix things up for than you my parents.
They just sat and stared at each other because the girl was normally not like this.
The girl continued to do all kinds of things and kept reminding herself …”Christ beside me” even when she went to her job the next morning (that she hated)…she reminded herself “Christ beside me” and was happy and friendly to all she came in contact with and even helped solve problems with rude customers. She then reported back to the lady at the end of the next day and expressed that she did it as best as she could and “well, it made everything different. I think I can see what you mean” she said. “Of course it did not change the things that are still bothering me…I’m still poor, can’t go to school and I live in an ugly house….”
The woman answered her back and said “Ah, my dear you have only started the seed-sowing, 24 hours ago. Can you keep on as you’ve begun? You have the key word. It is Christ.
Fretting doesn’t change things very much. but Christ does.” Just remember to keep your daily walk close to Him. (Stories that Live Lucy Gertsch Thomson)
I decided to try the experiment myself ……I prepared my Sunday lesson as if He was sitting right beside me, I cooked a meal as though he was there, I had the opportunity to give some items to the needy and at first I just started to put them in a big pile and I thought about Christ and I neatly folded them and noticed a seam was out on one bed sheet…I went and sewed it up before I gave it away. Everything seemed to be different even though nothing had changed. I then came up with the idea to send my brother uplifting or funny quotes, positive and motivating stories and to send them to him everyday. My whole outlook has changed!
I would invite any of you to do the same…try the experiment if even for 24 hours and report back to me. I would love to hear what you have to say.
Also if any of you come across any great quotes that I could pass onto my brother please leave them in the comments.
Here are a couple that I sent my brother in the last few days….
A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner. English Proverb
“We are here in mortality, and the only way to go is through; there isn’t any around!” Elder Neal A. Maxwell
but Marjorie Pay Hinckley added: the only way to get through life is to laugh through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache. (I love that!)
I also found another one that made me laugh:
Frogs have it easy, they can eat what bugs them. Unknown
We as a family continuing to pray and search the scriptures for comfort and truly find it.
One of my favorite scriptures is Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Hope does wipe out worry!!
Many thanks to all who have been praying for my brother we feel it.
I just found your blog and I am so glad I did.I am going through your older post and I found this one.I think not by mistake but by guidance on my journey that God is taking me.Your story touched my heart so much and I want you to know,God is with you and in you and that it how you and your family are getting through this as you have shared with so many.I have a couple of qoutes I have read that I hold onto in my times of worry and concern:Don’t tell God how big your storm is,tell your storm how big your God is.
Faith looks up,doubt looks down and worry looks all around.
I know by keeping my focus on God,as in your story everything is different.I also hold onto this verse:2Timothy 1:7,God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and love and self-control.So when I feel powerless and out of control I know that is not coming from God so I claim his attributes that he has given me and it is always amazing how it changes the picture.God be with your Brother and you and your family. Kathysue,Micasastyle.com
My heart is heavy for all of you, but I’m smiling at how close you are to your brother. You girls are not doubt a huge comfort to him.
I’ll be praying for him this afternoon.
My best,
Liz
I loved your post and sharing part of your lesson. It was one for all of us to take to heart.
My heart and prayers go out to your family. My BIL also is fighting the big C. He has renal lung cancer which started in his kidneys. His SIL is fighting brain cancer. Families need all the support they can get.
He is in my prayers. I could tell after reading about him what an wonderful man he is… well you can see it in his countenance also:)
May you feel Heavenly Father’s love during this time.
Thank you everyone who has left me a comment. All your sweet notes have made my day. You guys are the best!!
Love, Karin
In prayer for you and your brother.
God WILL get you through it. When you are to heavy with burdens, allow him to carry. By His grace.
I’m so sorry about you brother’s sad news. I will remember him in prayer. Your post was inspirational for me today. Thank you.
Hello to my amazing writing sister!! This is such a beautiful post for Timbob! I love it! Go to my fourlittleloves blog to see a little award I gave you today :o) Love you to pieces!!
Tiff
My heart goes out to you and your family. May God’s blessings comfort you during this very difficult time.
Hey there,
Just want you to know I prayed for your brother, his beautiful family and you and your sister.
I pray for healing and strength in Jesus name.
God Bless You All,
Robin~♥
I am soooo sorry to hear this about your brother bless his soul..and yours! I loved reading about that girl though…it is soo true…fretting…give it over to God…so hard to always remember though. I will have him in our prayers. cherry
What a wonderful example of FAITH that he is being to the rest of us.
Thank you for sharing.
What a sweet way to go about life! I’m defnitely going to try it.
My prayers go out to your brother, family and the doctors. Keep us posted. 🙂
What a beautiful post!
I’m sorry they found more cancer, but I’m happy they have good news regarding it!
Hope springs eternal!!
xoxo