Today is a significant day in my mom's journey to beat breast cancer. She will be receiving her first chemo treatment later this morning.

Although it has been just a few weeks since her diagnosis, what an incredible journey she has had so far, seeing glimpses (often big ones) of God's care for her. The Lord is so good! Many verses have come to our minds in the last few weeks. This path that He has chosen for my mom is a difficult one to be sure, but we are promised in His Word that He has gone before her (Isaiah 45:2). He promises to be her refuge (Psalm 46:1) and to provide her with peace that defies human comprehension (Philippians 4:7).

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)

A few weeks ago, while my parents were here for a visit, we were aware that my mom had much on her mind. You see, she had recently discovered a couple of suspicious areas and had immediately reported her findings to her doctor. The day before they drove down to NC, she had undergone biopsies on those areas, and while they were here, she and my dad were awaiting the outcome report. It was actually not until they returned to PA that they received word that she did in fact have breast cancer.

Since that time, mom has been such an incredible witness of God's goodness in her life. The Lord has truly been her strength during this time of many tears and uncertainty. He has been faithful in providing her excellent medical care, and even allowing one of the doctors on her team to be a close friend and fellow Believer. We are praising the Lord, that despite being aggressive, that her cancer is treatable and is in the early stages. What an awesome God we serve that He would allow my mom to detect a problem when it could have easily gone undetected, even by a mammogram.

And so now, we pray...That my mom will continue to feel well and that the treatments will not be too difficult on her. We pray for the doctors, that they will seek wisdom from the ultimate Physician, that they will have great discernment, and be able to provide my mom with special care. And, we pray that ultimately, that the Lord be glorified through my mom's witness to those who travel this road with her...those in the medical profession, her church family...and our family...my dad, their children, and grandchildren.

I love what she recently wrote in a letter to her praying friends. “This is a new pathway for me and yet I am holding strong to the fact that I love and serve a God who is sovereign, who knows how to give good and perfect gifts to His children, and who has promised to be with me. I am experiencing His complete peace and comfort, even in the midst of tears. Often it is coming through people that He sends my way, as well as through Scripture and songs. I am testing His promises and finding that they are definitely true! My prayer is that the Lord is glorified in my life and that I will be a testimony of His faithfulness to those in the medical field who will be advising and caring for me.” And then, she added this verse: As for God, His way is perfect - Psalm 18:30.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am you God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)