When I awoke the morning after breast cancer surgery, my first thought was, “Praise the Lord, it’s over! Thank you, Jesus! Thank you!”

Since I had missed my coffee the morning of the surgery, my next thoughts were of a BIG cup of java loaded with lots of vanilla caramel creamer.

A plaque over the pot expressed perfectly my sentiments: “All I need today is a little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus!”

As I approached the counter, though, I was surprised to find several gifts in front of the coffee pot. I felt like a young child who is delighted when the “tooth fairy” brings a gift for a pulled tooth.

The sweet card revealed that the bearers of my gifts, though, were not tooth fairies but son Joe and wife Heather. It read: “Step 1 completed on this journey. Congratulations, Survivor! Always remember: You are braver than you think, stronger than you seem, and loved more than you know. We love you, Joe, Heather, and Junior (my grand dog).”

The bracelet bore four charms including boxing gloves, a breast cancer survivor ribbon, a heart, and a token bearing the inscription: “You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it.”

With tear-filled eyes, I read the inscription on the pink and white mug: Strong, courageous, stand firm, fighter, immovable, steadfast, brave.

“Well, that’s very thoughtful,” I mused, “but they’ve got me mixed up with somebody else! I’m not any of those things. They didn’t see my meltdown when I first heard I had cancer! I couldn’t think straight! The nurse had to record my appointments for me and give me a pep talk before I left the office.”

Then I turned the cup around and studied the writing on the other side. To my relief, I saw the truth. “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you . . . to give you victory.” (Deuteronomy 20:4)

Now, that was more appropriate, for deep down inside I identify with Gideon, the guy who perceived himself as too weak and too incompetent to carry out the Lord’s command to fight. When the angel of the Lord called him a “mighty hero,” he responded:

“But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” (Judges 6:15 NLT)

Thankfully, with God’s help, Gideon finally did get it together and become a mighty warrior, but initially he was like most of us–afraid.

Of course, I’d much prefer to be like heroes Joshua and Caleb who were the recipients of the message on my cup. They were the only two of twelve spies who thought the children of Israel could claim the promised land. Then when the Lord punished his people for their lack of faith, those brave men had to wander for 40 years just like everybody else.   (Isn’t it sad how bad choices affect everyone in our “forever family” just like they do in our biological ones.)

Finally at the end of their wanderings, Caleb and Joshua were privileged to claim their promised new home, and Moses’ told them:

 “When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. . . Do not lose heart or panic or tremble before them. For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!’ (Deuteronomy 20:1-4 NLT)

I love it when Caleb says,

 “Now, as you can see, the Lord has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise—even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today I am eighty-five years old. I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then. So give me the hill country that the Lord promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the descendants of Anak living there in great, walled towns. But if the Lord is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the Lord said.”  (Joshua 14:10-12 NLT

Caleb was full of vim and vigor! He was 85 years old, but he still had a purpose that he had waited over 40 years to fulfill. He was a fighter, strong and courageous, but he also knew that his power came from the Lord. What a role model!

Now, even though I am several years younger than Caleb, I found out yesterday that I am not nearly as physically fit as he was. When I spent an hour wandering through Food Lion and arrived at the checkout with trembling legs, I was thankful that this battle is the Lord’s. I can’t fight it on my own. It’s all up to HIM!

One of my favorite old hymns is “Have Thine Own Way.” Written by Adelaide Pollard, it was born out of her great desire to be a missionary to Africa even though she struggled with poor health. Door after door closed. Ten years passed, and she finally made it to the mission field only to have to leave her assignment for Scotland when World War I broke out.

1. Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
   Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
   Mold me and make me after Thy will,
   While I am waiting, yielded and still.
2. Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
   Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
   Power, all power, surely is Thine!
   Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
3. Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
   Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
   Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
   Christ only, always, living in me.

Even though I am not fearless, I can say with Ms. Adelaide, “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.” With Caleb, I can say, “If the Lord is with me,” I will be victorious. With David, who fought many battles and spent years running from King Saul, I can say, “My cup overflows with blessings!” (Psalm 23:5 NLT)

Like the author of Psalm 136 who repeats 26 times: “His faithful love endures forever,” I can give credit where it is due! That’s my prayer of adoration today: “His faithful love endures forever.”

Next steps: A visit to the surgeon for a pathology report, a trip to the oncologist to plan for follow up treatment, and then probably to several weeks of radiation.

Thank you, my “Forever Family,” for all your prayers, support, and words of encouragement. What a blessing to realize as you fall asleep in surgery that you are in the arms of Jehovah Rapha and are covered by the prayers of his saints!

What about you? Are you fighting any battles today? If so, I encourage you to trust in the Lord! He can turn a wimp into a warrior and win miraculous victories that are beyond the scope of human ability. He can also provide overwhelming peace amid the battle that far exceeds any human understanding. (John 14)

Jehovah Rapha, thank you for carrying us through overwhelming battles that threaten to destroy us. Thank you for your healing power and for the victories you win despite our lack of faith. Help our unbelief! (Mark 9:24)