OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW

Cupcakes need to be baked at a pretty high temperature to come out just right.

Being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there has been a lot of talk around town about the importance of early detection in preventing breast cancer deaths. Although sometimes we’d like to just sweep the hard stuff under the carpet, this is not always the best way of dealing with an issue. Most of the time, it’s best to face things head on. If you feel that something is not right, don’t put off seeing your doctor. If someone has upset you, don’t avoid them and carry around a grudge…go and talk to them about it. Often it’s just a simple misunderstanding that can be easily fixed. Healing through treatment; restoration after confrontation.
I’ve been suffering the past few months with debilitating back pain. After trying regular chiropractic treatments, remedial massage, Epsom Salt baths, yoga, walking and stretching, I finally saw my oncologist who sent me off for some scans. To be honest, it was something I was putting off in the hope that it would just go away. But the pain persisted and I had to face it head on. So after a troubling x-ray that showed an unusual “spot” on one of my bones, I spent an anxious night worrying about what this “spot” might be….I even went as far as reminding God about all the promises He’d made me….”Remember, You promised that I’m going to live a long life?”….”Remember, You promised that I’m going to grow old with my husband and see my children’s children?”……”Remember, You promised that I’m going to see more of this wonderful world You created (namely, NEW YORK)?” There was some serious negotiation going on, as the doctors had mentioned the possibility of the dreaded “C” word and that’s all my mind seemed to want to focus on.
It took all the strength and faith I could muster to focus on God’s promises that He’d already given me the last time I cried out to Him about the dreaded “C”. Off I went to have the CT scan today and after the most wonderful phone call from my oncologist, I discovered that there is no sign of the dreaded “C” in my bones, and the terrible pain is actually due to some cheeky bulging discs in my spine. That’s okay – I can handle anything but the dreaded “C”! A bit of physio and exercise and I know eventually I’ll be as good as new! I’m truly blessed and still on track for receiving all of my promises!!
It has been a wonderful time during this Breast Cancer Awareness Month to share my story, in the hope that it may help someone else. I was privileged to speak to about 200 women at the Pink Ribbon Fundraiser Afternoon Tea on Saturday – my aim was to emphasise the importance of early detection and awareness of one’s body and to encourage anyone already facing an illness or hardship of any kind to have a fighting spirit and to never give up hope! Many of my precious loved ones were at the Afternoon Tea to support me, which meant so much. One of my beautiful nieces presented a card she made for me, which I will always treasure, and I’d like to share some of what she wrote:
“Aunty Jenny…Throughout your cancer journey I have watched you grow into a more bright and cheery person. Your strength and courage have kept you going. I was sitting down and thinking about the past, thinking about how so many things have changed. Some have changed for the worst and others for the better. I believe that everything happens for a reason. That we are part of a huge plan that God has made for us. And I believe that the part you play is to bring hope, courage and joy to others when they most need it. Never give up hope.”
Out of the mouths of babes….the writer of these pearls of wisdom is only 14 years old…such amazing thoughts from such a young person. It made me think of what a bright future we have in the hands of the precious “Generation Z”, making it even easier to hold on to the mantra “never give up hope”.
My niece philosophically noted that things change, some for the worst and others for the better. This made me contemplate the fact that often when things change, something can be lost, which will result in a time of grieving. For example, when I got cancer, I lost some stuff – part of my breast, my lymph nodes, my hair, even some friendships. But I also gained some better stuff – a new lease on life, an enhanced realisation of my family’s unconditional love for me, some new friendships and the irreplaceable revelation that the God who created me is always with me, to the end of time and beyond. (Although not very philosophical, I need to mention here that my hair has come back thick and curly – and maybe even better than before!) So although we need a time to grieve, we also need to make a choice to pick ourselves up out of grief, to live in the hope that is set before us!
“Out with the old and in with the new” may sound harsh to some. But why would we hold on to stuff that isn’t of any use anymore? I guess that’s why “retail therapy” is so therapeutic. I love the catharsis of getting rid of old stuff in my wardrobe and replacing it with lovely new stuff! But more importantly, the human heart can be made more lovely by getting rid of “old stuff” – brokenness, sickness, unforgiveness, grief, jealousy – and replacing it with “new stuff” – wholeness, forgiveness, acceptance, hope and love.
I realise that to get to this “new stuff”, we sometimes go through some trauma or difficulty first. A bit like a diamond made bright and sparkling through a process of overwhelming pressure and heat. Or gold made more precious and shiny by a refining fire. Even nature itself becomes greener and more luscious after a bushfire sweeps through and seemingly destroys it.
After we’ve thrown out the old and embraced the new, surely beauty and grace can come after a “refining fire” in our lives. Surely our lives can be made more beautiful through times of pressure and hardship. Indeed, as long as we never give up, the way we live our lives through hard times may be an inspiration and a hope to others!