Hey God it is me

God, hello it is me Luann. Yesterday I noticed the weather is changing. Can it be the end to summer is here? 80 degrees during the day and 47 degrees at night, seems like only yesterday this same season was here. Can it be one whole year since I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer? My gosh my mind just can't let go of that. So much has happened in my heart, in my mind, in my soul. Good thing I didn't know what the entire picture what the year was going to look like over the previous year. You were pretty smart not to reveal all that was going to happen to me because I probably wouldn't have done what you told me to. I might have chickened out saying this cancer thing is just too big. You in your infinite wisdom gave me just enough for the day. Then that's how you operate anyway.

You know my heart and soul is so different one year later. Mostly what I am overwhelmed with is how I never in a thousand years could have imagined how your kindness, your love and your GRACE would sustain me.

Right now I have tears in my eyes as I am so grateful to you. We actually have been talking about your Grace at church for the last 6 months. I know that is a long time but it takes along time talking about this characteristic of you. Of course you know that. Nothing happens by accident nor is a surprise for you.

What has struck me the most is how your word commands us to speak to what ever mountain is in our way and you will flatten it like a plain. Well I have to say that is exactly what you did for me. You flattened this breast cancer mountain of last year as flat as the desert in Arizona. Yes you did. All I can say is thank you.

But I have a question. Why have you been so good to me? I am not saying it hasn't been hard but my God you are God, Jehovah, creator of the universe you picked me up and carried me like that footprint story I have read so many times through the year.

Actually if I reflect back in my life and if you want to get right down to it, you have always been there through thick and thin. You have showed me you want me to live, you want me to love, you want me to glorify your name. Why? Just because you are God who has found favor with this human being named Luann.

Today I was on my way to one of my favorite stores Stein Mart searching for a bargain. Anyway I was listening to the radio but I actually think this was another God moment. You wanted me to hear this story. For my readers, I hope I can capture it like how I heard it. You know I do have some "senior moments" but I am going to try.

The story began around Thanksgiving Day a few years ago. The weather was cold and nasty as winter weather can be. A woman was driving home. Unbeknown to her, some teenagers had stolen a credit card were on a shopping spree and charged $400+ on this stolen card which was captured by video camera. They also purchased a 20 lb turkey.

As fate would have it, she was directly behind their car when one of the boys threw the turkey out the window which smashed her front car window, struck her in the head and completely destroyed her face beyond recognition. Over the next few years she would have several painful reconstruction surgeries to attempt to put her jaw and face back together. I could not imagine what that felt like but what happened is even more amazing.

I hit the fast forward button to the court room where the teenager and his attorney are pleading his case to the judge. The woman in the story saw the lad for the first time and he saw her. She slowly raised her frail frame and walked over to him. Tears were streaming down her face as she embraced the lad.

With her hands reaching out for his face she hugged him and said "I forgive you, I care about you and your life." She proceeded to request that the judge give the boy not what deserved which was prison but a pardon. The court room could not believe what they were witnessing. This woman's mercy brought tears to the entire court room including the boy and his attorney.

Anyway because of her mercy his boy escaped the penality that was rightly due him but did not have to pay because of grace and mercy. I think you just wanted to show me that you extend your grace to me just because you can and you do. I am still in amazment at this woman's mercy and grace that changed this young man's life.

Anyway a big thank you for that story and the reminder of your grace for me.

Your grace really is sufficient. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I don't deserve your grace but I sure do thank you for it! You are worthy to be praised! Running the Race with Thanksgiving in my heart. Luann