Thursday, July 1, 2010

Michèle’s Morsels

7/1/10 One year ago yesterday, I met Michèle Phoenix stateside. The face-to-face / scar-to-scar meeting took place in Louisville, KY where my older brother Buddy lives. The timing, of her being there from Germany for a MI doc appointment, and me being there after a high school reunion weekend, was such a God-thing. Of course, the two of us (MAC victims) connecting at all, especially continents away, was miraculous in and of itself. Musing on all of this I as I read back through my journal, I realized that Michèle mentored me, albeit from afar, and it was her personal knowledge of the cancer and her spiritual grounding that God used to equip me to find joy in my journey.
My memorable morsels from Michèle:
  • MAC (our cancer) is a gift we can embrace because it flows from God’s grace;
  • Ceaselessly seek reasons to celebrate a life turned toward Him;
  • Make note of kindnesses of strangers and the serendipitous occurrences that lend a ray of unexpectedness to your days;
  • Acknowledge “Divine Winks;” (similar to my "glory bumps")
  • Focus on God’s truths throughout your journey/dance;
  • The Center of God’s will might not guarantee physical safety but it does offer utter fulfillment, purpose, comfort and peace;
  • We are to each other a priceless gift from a tangible and intimately present God;
  • Be a galvanizing inspirer and come to the rescue of others by using your first hand experiences to serve an eternal and invaluable purpose; (A-MEN!)
  • In your “new normal” (cancer victim), continue to seek and lean on the One whose love redeems your pain;
Some of these morsels are found in her beautiful book, Postcards from the Waters Edge, which she shared with me early on in my cancer journey. It’s a book that continues to minister to me and one I can share with others who are now in the midst of their own cancer struggle.
http://michelephoenix.com/postcards-from-the-waters-edge/

One week from tomorrow in Nashville, TN where my younger brother, Bobby & his wife now have a condo (near their grands) Michèle and I will meet again. Such another God-thing!