Courage…
August 20, 2007
Courage is being scared to death,
but saddling up anyways.
-John Wayne
That quote is the epitome of my feelings today, yet I know that I know that where God leads, His grace is already there to sustain me. His arms are already there to uphold me.
He is already there.
He didn’t bring me this far to abandon me, and I know that He isn’t done with me yet.
Yet the fear of “what if” plagues my heart. A full year of chemo. That in itself sends my spirit into a tail spin.
Yet I remind myself that some people don’t have that option, they don’t have any options, and it pushes me to saddle up again.
I am determined to beat this thing.
Kris Carr said it best:
‘Cause lady, you are a survivor;
Someone who goes the distance;
This isn’t about the sprint, its about the long haul.
I am a survivor…..I am a survivor.
Edited To Add:
Isn’t this the cutest.shirt.ever. I just bought it from here :)
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In other words: Play Nice
51 Responses to “Courage…”
I would love to hear from you!
Heather,
You continually amaze me…your faith and your strength are truly an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. You and your family are in my prayers.
Hugs
You are a survivor! Always remember that! and you are so right…if God leads you to something, He will get you through it! I know how hard 6 months of chemo was for me, so I cannot imagine the thoughts of having to go through it for a year, but remember to just take one day at a time and try not to get overwhelmed with the thoughts of “what if” or about what will happen a week or a month or six months from now.
I heard a quote once that stuck with me.. “Do not let the worry of tomorrow rob you of the joy of today”.
Also remember that each and every day is the day the Lord has made specifically for you! He has planned each of your days and that in itself is reason to rejoice!
I am praying for you every day and I will not forget!
Love, Gina
Good Morning Heather,
I truly feel I need to write to you this morning but I am not sure what I am supposed to say to you except maybe to say that your blogs truly touch my heart. I have to say I am not the same person I was before I found your site. So that being said I have to say that I have many times thought about the name of your website but never till this morning did I see button on “About the name”. Funny how when I was reading that page (now I sit and wonder when it was that you wrote this and wonder if it was before your cancer and our truly amazed at how God answered this request….I hope you understand what I mean here)
You said “My hope for this space is that Christ opens many more doors for me to minister and touch peoples lives- not just through Emma’s story, but also through what Christ has done and is doing in me. Through the good and the bad- open and poured out before my savior.
I hope that I have been a blessing to you, that you feel Christs presence when you visit here and that this next year I am able to share even more of Christ with you…because that is my greatest desire.
To share more of Him.”
Wow Heather…..I couldn’t have put it better what I see when I read your blogs. I have even told people in my life about you and what you share about your life, your struggles and your dependance on God.
I don’t know if any of this that I am writing makes any sense to you or anyone else this morning. I just hope that I can somehow encourage you Heather and remind you that God is for sure using you Heather in all our lives. I am praying for you Heather and I am right here praying, crying, cheering and praising God with you. And yes, you a survivor!!!
Love, Trudy (A fellow homeschool and heart mom.
Yep. Yesterday we were blessed to go to a church where David Ring was preaching. You may know who he is, an well-known evangelist who has cerebral palsy, who knows what a great God he serves. I cried. So powerful. He says he is a champion. He’s absolutely right.
You are a champion, too.
Glory to God! And blessings to you.
Praying for you today! YOU ARE A SURVIVOR!
Jeremiah 29:11
Be blessed~
Denise
Trudy,
Isn’t it amazing that I wrote that before cancer entered my life? It isn’t what I had hoped for or expected, but….
Thank you for sharing your heart with me, and my readers… I am glad that my blog has touched your life, and so many other lives…
It really does my heart good to know that God is using my circumstances to reach others.
-H
Heather,
YOU ARE A SURVIVOR! You do have courage and you will beat this. Hang onto those beliefs and continue to look to God when you feel you can’t go on. He is not done with you yet, that is for sure. Thank you for your inspiration to me and so many others.
Mandy
GA
http://www.madelinegracehopkins.blogspot.com
You can do it Heather! God is good. He will lift you and sustain you. Bless you as you start this new path towards health and healing.
isaiah 65:24
And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
HE IS ALREADY THERE! i pray daily for you heather.
you go girl!
You are absolutely right. You have to keep pressing toward the goal. I understand your fears of “what if,” but you weren’t given a spirit of fear, but of power and a sound mind. There’s no need to worry about what if….why try to climb a mountain that you don’t even know if you need to climb. Focus on the one mountain you are on today, and let tomorrow worry for itself. God has a much bigger plan for you than you can even fathom. This is birthing something new in you, transforming you from who you were before cancer, to the mighty woman of God that He has planned for you to be. You are secure in His hands. Rest assured that NOTHING or NO ONE can pluck you from His hand…not even cancer. Everyday that you get up and fight this disease is another battle won. You are awesome! I pray for you today for your strength and your courage to be lifted and for you to have peace like you’ve never known before.
Heather:
I have been reading your blog and I have added you to my prayer list. Your name and face appear daily in my prayers. You are a survivor. I wish all your cyber friends could be with you in person……. God bless you………
I love your quote. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. Funny, last night I was looking for quotes to use in my classroom and I came upon this one… its very similar to the one you have posted today.
“Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.” Ambrose Redmoon
Keep on keeping on Heather! I am rooting for you.
Heather,
It is truely awesome how God works in you and through you! Be blessed today and hang onto His promises. God cannot be ANYTHING other than FAITHFUL!
This is taped to the front of my Bible:
I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4.
Hugs and prayers,
michelle
You can do it! I’ll be praying.
God bless :)
Praying for you today. It has been frustrating recently to me that technically a cancer survivor is someone who makes it five years. I feel like we are surviving daily — iiving with this disease is so hard, and takes so much. Thank you for continuing to write and for being so open. And thanks for the Target post — I was out after transplant last December and some people would just stare at my bald head. I find it rather empowering and wish we would have a “go bald” cancer day so people would see how big of a problem cancer is. I totally relate to not knowing the stranger in the mirror, though. It certainly is an adjustment.
That shirt says it ALL. You CAN and you WILL beat this, because you have God in your corner.
Heather,
Praying for you today, especially that the “what ifs” don’t overwhelm you and that God continues to give you the comfort for getting through each day. You are right, He hasn’t brought you this far to abandon you, He’s right up there in that saddle with you.
Hugs.
Norma
I love that quote. You can have fear and be courageous at the same time and even better that you give your fear up to God and trust in him while being courageous. I ♥ the shirt!
That is the cutest shirt!
And yes girl, you are a survivor - it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. We’re cheering for you!
Be strong, Heather! I am continually blessed by your sharing your battle. Continue on. Cheering, rooting, praying, praying, praying for you.
In Him,
Julie
I LOVE the shirt! Praying, praying and more praying for you
I have to tell you Heather, you so inspire me.
I’ve been struggling with my own battle with courage. I’ve struggled with panic attacks for a little over 3 years, and my impending labor and delivery has caused me to struggle with them more.
And the Lord has brought you to mind so much in the midst of these struggles. When I am praying for strength and courage He infuses me with it. And I am reminded of you and your battle.
It amazes me how He really does use all things for His purpose.
Blessings,
Karla
Today, I had to sit in Wal-mart an extra 5 minutes…my blood pressure was not right. So I told the pharmacist and she told me to sit down. I’m still waiting for my thyroid tests to come back and have either Plummer’s or Graves’ disease…and like you, this morning I had some “what if” thoughts. I had to stop and ask the Lord to calm my heart. Then I asked Him to let me grow old with my Chris and see all my chidren grow old. It’s hard sometimes to wonder. I am praying for you Heather…for your courage and every single desire of your heart concerning your life be given to you.
Love you!
Holly
Heather,
You are one of the most amazing and courageous women I know. Your life is such an inspiration and testimony. I’m praying for you, Heather.. every day.
I *love* the shirt!!!
Rebecca
I LOVE the shirt and it is definitely YOU! Hang in there! Life is about how we handle things that come our way, even things that are not fair, and you always handle them in a way that works for you and in that others are inspired and their faith is restored. I am so glad to know that you are focusing on YOU and what YOU need and letting others be there for you. My thoughts are with you as you begin the chemo and I know you will face this as you have since it all began - with faith, trust, hope and the love and support of all who know you!
I AM! That’s what Jesus said–greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world! Jesus, the I AM is in you. He’s greater than cancer. And that makes you greater than cancer! Always praying!
I like what you said about already there. Jesus is first AND last. He’s gone before you. He knows what’s coming up. So, he’s already seen the year of chemo! He’s already been there! I’m praying!!!
Now that is the shirt you should wear to Target!
Praying Joshua 1:9 for you this morning!
Lord Jesus, Please hear the prayers of all who are pounding on Your heart with prayers for Heather today and answer them with a shout from Heaven that brings peace to her heart and mind, but also to her body. Cause her body to be strong her platlets to remain high and tummy to be calm. And mostly Lord God make the Chemo do its job and heal her body completely.
because of Jesus, Bobbie
Your quote this morning spoke to me in so many ways…in ways that I needed to hear. I always think of courage as something I don’t have, like a personality trait. But this morning I realized that courage is something like faith, something we develop and experience. Not something we are or something we are born with.
Your courage, Heather, has spoken to me. And driven me. It has inspired me and comforted me.
I know that the thought of chemo for a year scares you. I can’t relate to the monstrosity of chemo, but I can tell you that when I was prescribed a lifelong medication it was hard to swallow. Scary. Overwhelming. I know right where you are. And I know that our Savior is right there with you. He may not be able to take the cup from your hands, but He will never forsake you.
As always, hugs and extra prayers…
Heather! I totally love that shirt!!!!!!
Love you sis!
Hi Heather,
I have been a regular (mystery) visitor to your blog since stumbling across it just about three weeks ago. My close friend is battling breast cancer right now (29) and I was searching online for help on dealing with it and offering the right support….hmm…isn’t God good, all the time! In reading your blog not only has it opened my eyes and heart to the prerspective of a CANCER SURVIVOR but it has also drawn me so much closer to God and increased my desire to be closer to Him and to do His will. In only three weeks I too have cried, smiled, laughed and prayed with you daily… I pray for you by name and by specific prayer request now. I just wanted to reinforce a comment left by Trudy today and to let you know you are reaching very far…and touching many and your sharing of your journey is certainly increasing the kingdom of God! I have you and your family in prayer, constantly.
You are a survivor! And even better than that, you’re a child of God, wonderfully accomplishing His will in you and through you!
(from the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago to be exact)
((( hugs ))) & Prayers. What a great attitude you have! I’m thinking of you. D
Dear Heather, You will be strong again and win at this stage in your life.I love your Tee-shirt…I am like you and say ” what if!!!.. What If!!!!
I need to give thanks for what I have now in my life and be thankful for my accomplishments I have made so far..Bless you. Baba
The t-shirt is incredibly cute. :)
JoAnn
You CAN do it, Heather. And…I LOVE the shirt. I think I would buy one for every day of the week. I would love looking in the mirror and seeing the constant reminder. :-)
I do like the shirt, and you are a survivor. God has you in the palm of his hand, hey come to think of it, I am there with you. My prayers as always.
From the notebook of St. Faustina Kowalska:
Amen
God bless you Heather. I continue to pray….
Wow - I bought a tin sign off of eBay the other day with that same quote on it. I only found it a few weeks ago but knew I had to have it.
You all are continually in my thoughts and prayers!
Heather, I’m always inspired by your words and the messages they carry. I don’t know you, but I believe you are stronger than cancer. I’ll continue to pray for you.
I just wrote about fear and courage on my blog a couple of days ago. It is universal this fear you feel, the devil knows it and he preys on it. But our God is bigger than that boogey-man (so sayeth the Veggie Tales!) and he definitely will NOT leave you. Keep the faith! God Bless~
The t-shirt is great - so cute! :)
You have unbelievably amazing courage. I will continue to pray for you and know that God is holding you close this next year. Through the good and bad.
Blessings
Julie
Heather,
I read your funny (and honest) answer over at Sallie’s blog regarding HSM2. Just thought I’d check out your blog, and lo and behold, I see that you could use some prayer! A friend from our church goes in tomorrow for her first chemo. I’ll keep you both in prayer.
“Don’t let no small frustration,
Ever get you down. No, no, no, no!”
Now shake your hips just like Hannah and you’ll feel better! :)
you are brave, brave, brave. you have courage, strength, determination, wisdom. i learn so much from you.
Eat small healthy meals. Good nutrition has to help… somehow.
Love the shirt and your courage! You’re right, God goes before and behind us. Wherever we go, He’s already there. He will sustain you! You will be a SURVIVOR!
Funny, I just stopped in for a quick read before I head out the door to speak at a Christian ladies luncheon. Never done anything like this before, so I certainly need some courage. Once again, thanks for the inspiration.
John Wayne said it almost as well as you. And I LOVE the T-shirt!
When I read here, I can feel the positive energy, really feel it.
Hugs and prayers.
Aw, they look adorable. And ya know, sometimes there’s a resemblance among siblings (sometimes not, as in the case of my adoptive family). But then SOMEtimes it’s more of a mirror image. Heather, how neat it must be to look into your children’s faces and see a mirror image of yourself, beautiful as can be.
Blessings,
~Toni~
Hi Heather,
We cannot allow “things” to defeat us and yes we have to keep on going, looking upward,
The song came on today, My Savior loves My Savior lives, My Savior is always there for me,
I sang that outloud and it sent shivers through me, and I wished it could have lasted forever, it filled every void, it is amazing to feel that way,
Praying for you Heather,
Marie
I come by here every so often and read… Wanted to say that shirt is just awesome….
The shirt is precious! What an amazing heart you have.
Heather- I’ve been away for a few days and it is always so good to come back and read how you are doing. You always lift my spirits and I am so grateful to you. Keep it up, darling- you are more than your cancer, you are stronger than your cancer… I am so glad you are you.
xo