It's Been a While.......

August 2, 2017 marked 7 years since my brain tumor diagnosis.  I remember the day, the moment, the phone call, EVERYTHING about that day like it was yesterday.  I remember thinking that my life was never going to be normal again and also being filled with fear over what the future held for me. Seven years later, I am writing this blog update filled with complete wonder and awe over the way in which God has worked in my life since my diagnosis day!  Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  To some, those are just words from Scripture.  For me, it has been my truth.

When life threw me this curve ball, called a Meningioma, the faith in which I had been teaching for so many years had to be utilized.  It is so easy for me as a Catholic school religion teacher to "talk the talk."  (Anyone that knows me knows that I can talk!)  But, for the first time, I was truly being called to "walk the walk" and in a BIG way.  I am not going to say that it was easy.  It wasn't.  I cried.  I doubted.  I was overcome with fear on many occasions.  I complained.  I asked WHY and I'll admit it, I uttered the words, "life isn't fair." However, it was in those moments of pure darkness where I had my greatest encounters with God.  It was in my lowest moments that I found my greatest strengths.  

What made me choose today to write this blog update?  Well, Father Dan, the priest at my school, has been speaking to my classes this week and he asked a few questions that really made me think.  He asked my students to ask themselves two things, "why was I created?" and "what is my purpose?"  Those questions really got to me in a way that I didn't expect.  7 years ago, my answers would have been different.  They would have been my answers. Today, they are His.

I was created to live a life giving glory and honor to God, no matter the circumstance.  Brain tumor or not, my God gets the glory.  He gave me a story to tell and you better believe that I am going to tell it!  (I love my tumor talk!!  lol)

I was created to lead others to this same conclusion.  Maybe not by my words alone, but by my actions that are constantly trying to imitate His.

My purpose is to support others along their "curve ball" journeys and to use my story to help them through theirs.  We don't have to go through the low moments of life alone.  These moments are a lot less dark when shared with others who know and understand your pain.

God caused "so much to work together for good" the past seven years.  I would not be who I am today without August 2nd being a part of my life.  My purpose is clear now.  Whatever you want from me, Lord.  I'm yours.  May your will be done.