I have always liked to think of myself as a good friend, one who listens, who cares and one who is there for a friend when they are in need...
I was talking with my friend about her journey after being diagnosed with cancer. Her struggles, pains, the entire experience because she has a strength like I've never seen. She told me it changed her life, put things into perspective...all of the things she thought were important, really just weren't. Her family was her LIFE. She lived and pushed for THEM. She fought the pains, aches, nausea for THEM. She fought hard and she's still fighting hard...
But the one thing that troubled me in our conversation as I listened to her tell me how she was afraid every day for her life, for her family, to die...the part that impacted me most was that she said she felt so ALONE. I thought to myself, Alone? You have family, friends, people to fight for you, ready to raise money in YOUR honor. How can you be Alone? Well, it's simple she said... Aside from her amazing husband and child, she felt as though people abandoned her. But why? I thought, how sad. How incredibly horrible and sad. When you need people most, you think they'll be there right? That's what family and friends are for...right? I started to question my life. Would my family be there when I needed them most? Friends? The ones you think will be there for you always...would they be there, in your greatest time of need? I felt my heart ache for her...that is NOT how we picture things to be when we are sick and fighting for our life, is it? At least I don't. Anyway, she has inspired my life, touched my life in ways that cannot be descibed. She pushes me without saying a word. I know that I can believe in myself, because I watch what she does and how she lives life each day. Why do we tend to get caught up in material things? Things that DO NOT matter? It's strange to me and she tries to tell me that she needs me? Oh no, it's the other way around. She has opened my eyes and I believe that is one of the greatest gifts a person can give, don't you?
My mom's lifelong best friend lost her sister to cancer years ago and she shared this poem with me and it made the tears flow...so true.
ALONE
Alone…how devastating to be in the valley and all alone.
Where are my friends, where have they all gone?
I find myself all bowed down with care
But someone told me to look up, Jesus was there!
He spoke in His still small voice, “My child, I am more than enough
I’ll meet you in this valley that has proven to be so tough.
Draw close to me and hold my hand
I’ll take you through and lift you out of this sinking sand.
Your walk with me is safe and secure
And you will find a way out, if you only endure.”
I am your strength, your courage. I’ll see you through
For in me, there’s no place to be discouraged, downcast and blue
The night is only for a season, there’s no cause for alarm
For after the darkness, comes the brightness of the morn.
So pick up the pieces, the road you travel is just a bend
You’re never alone, for in Jesus, you’ll always have a friend.
