A Testimony of Faith

In this third and last blog on faith, I am so very pleased and honored to have as my guest Sallie Metzger. Sallie is a dear friend and member of the church I attend. A few months ago, Sallie was told that she has breast cancer. It is not news that any woman wants to hear, especially those with young children, like Sallie.

Sallie has the most amazing faith of any person I know. Not once has she faltered. Not once has she questioned God (at least publically). Sallie has written a few journal entries since this part of her life started a few week ago and she has kindly agreed to letting me publish here. Enjoy Sallie's blog for today and be encouraged!

My Dear CTK Family,

You have so blessed and cared for me with your encouraging words and prayers and I am so humbled and grateful. I begin my second round of chemo (of six -21 day cycles) this Thursday and I would ask you to continue to uphold me in prayer and also my husband Richard and our three boys; Thomas, Georgie and Charlie. My parents, Bud and Virginia, will be here and I am especially hopeful that all will go well as I know that if I were to have a hard time, it will be hard for them also. If I may be permitted to increase my request, my brothers Tucker, Ned and Matthew have their own personal struggles over my “situation” and their own trials. Satan has been very busy with my family lately. My personal need at this time is that you would pray especially that all my cell counts be where they need to be so that there is no need to intercede medically and so that no chemotherapy is postponed.

It is not lost on me that the majority of my chemo occurs during Lent. I know nothing with God is arbitrary and certainly not when I’ve handed it over to Him. I know that this has first passed through my Father’s hands and He has said it’s OK for me and that what satan means for my harm, the Creator of the oceans means for my good and for the furthering of His Kingdom. Several people (some of you even) have spoken to me about words they have had in prayer regarding a ministry for me once this trying time is over. In those messages and in my own study, I learn that God Himself really does walk with me each step, guiding and comforting, while training and equipping me for the next path He will set before me. He is ever-deepening my faith and understanding and my compassion for others. He has taught me that just “getting through” is not His desire for me, but that I am to be learning and healing in ways other than just physically; and that I am to overcome and be victorious so that I can take on new work for him. A lesson I am learning, as I daily submit to God’s teaching me in this time, during this Lenten season, is faith in endurance. “And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup…” Matthew 20:23 “... anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:38 {as in, don’t just make it through breast cancer or whatever, but pick it up and follow where I want you to go.} Those are hard, but these I think are exciting views of the prize- “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” Rev. 3:5 “To him who overcomes I will grant to seat with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Rev. 3:21 “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.” Rev.21:7

Someone wiser than I recently “coached” me to take this posture when facing pain, discomfort, nausea…whatever is the dis-ease, to get on my knees and sacrifice to Jesus telling Him, “You endured SO much for me, I can take this, that is so small in comparison, for you. “ Amen? Which takes me back around to where I began; He is for my benefit and the benefit of His Kingdom so I can make sacrifices and endure for Him, especially during Lent when we are obliged to consider just these things. Thank you for letting me share my walk with you as you uphold me IN my walk.

I am humbled and delighted to be a prayer minister with the Order of St. Luke the Physician and to be called upon to pray for you as you hold me up in prayer. What a tremendous family we have at CTK and I could never express what a blessing you all are to me and to my family. “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” Phil. 1:3

Your sister in Christ,
Sallie

Sallie,
Thank you for sharing with us today! Dave and I continue to pray for you, knowing that God is your Healer!

MARANATHA!

(c) 2010 Edwina Cowgill