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It seems as though when life is hardest…..words flow fewest.

And that’s unfortunate.

Because as C.S. Lewis once penned: 

“Whenever you are fed up with life, start writing: ink is the great cure for all human ills…..”

Indeed.

Writing is a type of therapy, it seems.

But this past week….. left me wordless. And where I had words….I lacked the faculties to appropriately convey them.

So forgive me for the long pause. I certainly have a reason for the languish and loss of verse.

Because friends….I know now, that nothing will make you lose it like a lump.

Inundated with pink ribbons, and cancer causes, and 5k’s for fundraising – our culture can’t say that they didn’t know to be watchful for suspicious symptoms of the chest.

So when I found a large, painful mass – I melted. My mind – it’s prone to worry. And it’s bent is pessimism. Before I ever saw a doctor – I had diagnosed myself with the worst.

And it effected everything. It consumed every thought, it drowned out every other fear, and it laid thick and heavy….for almost a week.

All those things that I had been completely consumed by before – suddenly seemed like pebbles next to an alp.

The tight budget.
The moving.
The home finding.
The husband’s long hours.
The homeschooling.
The house showings.

It all waned.

Suddenly….they all seemed like gifts. Not Gibralters.

Because those things aren’t real problems. They’re just real life.

When the radiologist looked at the ultrasound tech and said “Mondors”….glee crept up from within – because while I didn’t know at all what it meant, I knew that word didn’t sound anything like the word “cancer”.

Praise Jesus.

When she explained to me that I have a rare but non-life threatening condition where the vein clots and bulges…..I basked in the mostly good diagnosis.

And a gratefulness and light settled deep.

And joy sprang up like tulips in Spring.

And then we ate Mexican food 🙂

Since that day – the world seems different. 

The whole situation was a life-changer. A perspective shifter. A vision caster.

And it’s quieted the irritations and groanings of annoyance.

The little mundane tasks of life – have felt like privileges. 

The things I was loathing – I’ve been loving.

And oh, I hope this light-bulb stays on!

The husband suggested, or commanded rather, that I jot this all down in my journal – as to not forget the moment’s feelings. Because they can be fleeting. Slipping back into an uncalled for despair is easy.

Right before he headed back to work after my appointment…walking to his vehicle after downing fajitas….the grand man I married looked back at me and said…

“Build an alter here, Kate.”

Build an alter so that you can praise Him in this moment now…..and remember the blessing later.

Yes!

So these words here….let them be stacked up stones. Let them stand as a marker – to ensure that this new found perspective isn’t lost! Let them remind me to rejoice! Let them remind me to look for things I can praise God for…knee-bent and grateful.

Oh Lord, let the site of this altar…..alter.

Certainly – diagnosis don’t always hit us with joy. Certainly – the news isn’t always happy.

But when it is…..stand back and shout your Hallelujahs at the landmark.

This Post Has 6 Comments

  1. Kim Smith

    SOOOOOOOOO GOOD Kate!! I think this is my favorite post yet. "Build an altar here" speaks! Love you. Miss seeing you and yours.

  2. Kate

    I miss YOU, Kim!!! I was looking for your sweet face on Sunday! Hope to see you soon, girl. Thank you for reading! Hugs to you!

  3. JudyB

    I'm sitting at my computer in my office — and tears are streaming down my face. Thank you for sharing this. I have been praying so much for you and your family during all the "stuff" you have been dealing with. and now — Hallelujah!

  4. Kate

    Judy!!! Your prayers have meant SO VERY MUCH! I can't thank you enough….for you just being you!!! I hope you have an awesome day, Judy! We love ya!

  5. Lisa

    Hi Kate! It's been so long since I've visited that I'm embarrassed to say that I stopped by Jottin Mama first and was surprised that you were no longer there and even more surprised that it's been so long!! But I have a one year old and she's my third and I blame everything on that craziness these days!! Anyhow, I LOVED, LOVED your last post at Jottin Mama…Change…it completely speaks to my heart right now. And what God is trying to do with me. And what I need/want to do with that…And then this here…oh, I'm so thankful your diagnosis turned out to be what it did and very grateful for the way you write about it here so that we can learn from your situation as well…I can't tell you how often the stuff of life feels like mountains lately…I needed this reminder. Beautiful post!!!

  6. Kate

    Lisa! SO GLAD you dropped in here! I look forward to heading over to your blog and catching up as well! I hope your week was good – and that your weekend is fabulous! Yes Lord, surprise Lisa with joy and peace and laughter over the next few days! 🙂

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