{the Market House… will make sense if you watch the video}
Twenty-four points of sacred intersection between my heart and theirs—those twenty-four precious souls that God chose to weave into my morning and lunch hour. I probably missed someone in my counting, but it doesn’t much matter the number. What matters is that each one of those lives graciously allowed me a moment of their day to make a personal investment into their hearts. It is privilege I don’t take lightly… a gift given to me by them and by God as an opportunity to love and to simply say,
I notice you; you matter.
There is no pain I currently hold that negates the responsibility of such moments. Rather, God is using the pain as a catalyst to touch lives that I would have never had open access to in my previous life… my life as I lived it only ten weeks ago. I don’t want that life back. Instead, I want to hold the fullness of what I now know, now believe—
That cancer will not be my undoing; rather, cancer will be the threshold of my emerging. Something greater—God’s greater—will become of me because of the path I’m now treading. Perhaps not something in the tangible, seen aspects of daily living, but in the quiet, secret places of sacred consecration.
I want a pure soul… a cleanness before God I’ve never known. I want perspective and wisdom that can only come from the Father and that, sometimes, can only be birthed through suffering. I want to get to the end of treatment and not harbor any regrets for the time I now manage. I want to live my “now” rightly and honor the pulse of Christ’s heart as laid out in Matthew 28:18-20. None of us gets a pass on this one, friends. Regardless of what we’re “holding” today, no matter if it hurts us immensely and provokes our faith in the deepest kind of way, we must receive our calling from God as the most precious gift from his heart. We must treasure it, own it, believe it, live it.Go. Make disciples. Baptizing every point of sacred intersection along the way with the truth, love, and witness of all heaven. There is no finer gift that we can offer to those fellow sojourners on the path of grace we trod. They may not understand that they’re on the path of grace, but when their steps coincide with ours, then grace abounds. It’s in me and in you; it’s ours to give. Dispense it liberally, rejoicing as you go.
I notice you; you matter.
A word rightly and fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver (Proverbs 25:11a). So speak as you are given occasion, knowing that in those few brief moments of sacred pause, you step as God intends, you shine forth as gold, and all of heaven choruses its applause in honor of your understanding.
Keep to it, friends. As always…
Peace for the journey,
PS: For a copy of Sassy Granny’s recipe, click here…
how precious that you are thinking of the
others sitting in the chairs around you.
your cookies will bring a smile to each
heart if not every face.
i'm praying for your swift and complete
recovery.
love,
lea
I love what you said Elaine: "I want to hold the fullness of what I now know, now believe—" Amen and amen. I love seeing and listening to you on video.
Wow, Elaine, what a thought — that cancer will not be your undoing but rather the threshold of your emerging. What an amazing and God-infused attitude. Many blessings to you, my friend!
Elaine, you inspire me, for the love of our Savior radiates from you so beautifully.
And, I identify with your desire to be His all in all, to live my now for God's glory, to please my Father God.
You are changing lives! Your heart and voice are leading a charge of revival and renewal for everyone who knows you.
Love you,
Andrea
I SO agree with these above comments Elaine, and… you look just beautiful!!
Sassy's cookies are a good thing! I may bake some myself, if I think I can keep from eating too many.
Keep on my friend… this is a God journey, and we are on it with you.
Elaine:
You wear Christ's heart on your head and on your sleeve! His servant's heart is all over you to bless others in your time of trial! I love you so much for being so transparent to us! I love your fashion statement both with the scarves and without! You ARE TRULY BEAUTIFUL inside and out!!!
Choosing JOY, Stephanie
PS: pass the cookies! thanks Sassy Granny!
Dear Faith Elaine,
This post once again brought tears to my eyes. How could someone living miles away from me, from a different race and culture, with a totally different set of life circumstances, so impact my life… only God knows.
We each have a cup to drink from, but your cup runs over, and what's in your cup spills over to us who are on a shared journey together.
You love to use sacred intersections, I love to say shared journeys…however we say it, we are on this race together, and we are all running to win!
Yes, definitely, cancer will not be you undoing, it will be your emerging. Beautiful words. Your faith is contagious.
I gladly drink it all you have to offer and share at this point in your life.
I love you, Faith Elaine.
Lidj
Too often we focus on our own lives and don't notice the pain of those around us. You pointed out our responsibility beautifully. blessings on you today, marlene
Oh friends… you are quite something. Not just something, but quite something. It's 7:00 PM and one noticeable difference this go around.
I'm whipped. I can barely lift my frame to get over here to the computer… even on prednisone. Not sure what's going on, but I hope I can sleep tonight.
Elaine, your heart sharing is beautiful and tender. I hung on every word but with this I came undone:
"I want a pure soul… a cleanness before God I’ve never known. I want perspective and wisdom that can only come from the Father and that, sometimes, can only be birthed through suffering."
A heart cry that is pure and humble before the Lord.
I'm praying for YOU dear friend. You are precious, beautiful and full of the power and love of GOD…keep going!!!!
I just LOVE that you are doing the videos…they are just soo personal and warm it is soo easy to see your sincerity and love. It is downright contagious. What a wonderful idea the cookies were. I am soo glad you did this. I can't honestly express to you how you are inspiring me on this journey of yours, but it is somewhat overwhelming. How grateful I am that you are soo willing to be used for Him. I am sorry to hear you are soo whipped this time. REST REST REST….I will be praying it passes quickly. Hugs to you, Debbie
"I notice you; you matter."
Lord, imprint these words on my heart, for I know that You have spoken these words to us. May we see those around us through Your eyes. In Jesus' Name, Amen
Oh Elaine, I love, love, love you! You just bless my socks off with your authenticity & candor, your humor & heart.
I'm at my sister's and for some reason can't get her volume to work on the computer. So-o-o-o I could only chuckle as I watched you munch cookies. I filled in the gap with my own words (and I cried).
Love and prayers,
Kathleen
Isn't it such a blessing and a privilege that God has allowed our lives to intersect with so many as we walk this breast cancer journey. The faces and names of each person I've met in chemo has been eternally etched upon my heart. I love the words you penned…"I notice you; you matter." May God continue to give us His eyes to see those hurting all around us.
You are so precious, my friend and fellow sojourner. May God strengthen your body tonight and throughout the next couple of days. I go in tomorrow for round 6 of chemo and as my body goes to work through these drugs, I'll be thinking of you and praying for you as your body too, feels the effects of this process.
And yes, through the blood of Christ, we are free….free indeed. He came to set us captives free.
Once again, love seeing your beautiful face and the joy of the Lord resting upon you.
Much love in Christ,
Stacy
Oh Elaine,
Thank you for focusing on the eternal so beautifully and modeling true Christianity for us.
How you bless the people God brings across your path, in real time and in the blogosphere.
"I notice you; you matter."
How the world around us is aching to hear THOSE words!
Now I wish I had taken time to say them to a little lady stocking shelves at Wal-Mart!
The LORD has brought her to my remembrance and I CAN pray for her.
Blessings Precious One.
Love and Hugs, Jess
Amazing that you wrote:
"That cancer will not be my undoing; rather, cancer will be the threshold of my emerging."
As you cling to the Lord through this season, you are reflecting Him more and more Elaine.
I will give Kathleen a hug from you as I will be seeing her on Thursday. Isn't she such a blessing?
Love you and praying for you,
Debbie
I am blessed once again by your wisdom and courage to see God's doing rather than you undoing. Your life is touching many.
wifeforthejourney:
Your faith and attitude are such tools in God's hands. Though there has been, and remains, a price paid for your cancer I am amazed at the good things the Lord is bringing out of this time.
From blogging to baking I am reminded daily how the things you do are not for show, but for love of Christ. I share your desire this day for "a pure soul, a cleaness before God."
You are the best!
Love,
Billy
Elaine–I have not had a lot of time to keep up with blogs recently; but I have tried to follow your journey as you walk through this particular season of your life.
As always, you are an inspiration, and a good reminder that I need to let people know they matter to me and they matter to God.
May God bless you richly! Donna
I love you, you awesome cookie lady. you truly make me smile, your personality is beyond amazing. saying prayers for you always.
You could have a new name as the "cookie lady!" I think that you'd be a great hostess on the Food Network's newest show! Hmmm…ponder that one, chickadee! I plan on checking out those cookies myself….I'm a cookie-a-holic!
I love how God is using you throughout this season to share His love! You simply are the real deal!
Hugs to all of you!
Susan
PS–Got those lantanas planted the other day–they look gooood!
Wow! A very convicting word for me. Thank you for that. God is speaking through you.
I thank God for you daily.
Sheryl
What a strong one you are Elaine. Strong, Confident and Passionate.
Prayers and blessings to you as you continue this journey,
Rebecca
I don't know your business and I did not want to write this here but I am having trouble with contacting you by email. My outlook thingy is puzzling me.
Anyhow I am just curious to know if you have considered natural treatments for cancer. I have read about the Budwig diet and low dose naltrexone with rave reviews from the users.
I know the internet can be tricky but maybe you can do your own research if you haven't already.
Like I said it is not as though I want to be in your business
Sweet Elaine,
What an honor and privilege it is for me to know you as my sister and friend! You challenge and inspire me with every post….when I grow up, I wanna be just like you! 😉
We have prayed for God to give you and Billy wisdom regarding your choices for treatment. We have also prayed for the doctors to have great wisdom as they make many decisions regarding your care. I know that you hear God's voice, and are trusting Him to guide and protect you in the days ahead.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Love you
we KNOW Fayettville well…my husband's family still lives there…we've walked those streets at christmas and thanksgiving…he played under the marketplace as a boy.
Blessings to you…loved your video…freedom is ours in His precious Spirit and knowing His Promises are OURS!
Have a wonderful day, okay?!!!
"I want a pure soul… a cleanness before God I’ve never known. I want perspective and wisdom that can only come from the Father and that, sometimes, can only be birthed through suffering"…me too.
You and your words are so precious to me, so inspiring. You are an amazing women of God my friend.
Still praying…still walking this prilgrimage with you across the miles.
Believing Him~Pamela
You know…that is what we are all about. Christ looked beautiful in you as your chose to reach out to all of all those hurting people.
It is a blessing to see what God is doing in you and through you.
Love you girl and I am praying.
You have been on my mind a lot lately so I've just continued to pray for you and your family.
Thanks for sharing the cookie recipe.
Oh Elaine,
You are a jewel!
Thanks for taking us on your journey of hope. You are a teacher at heart, and we are your classroom.
I'm learing so much from your example.
I never dreamed I would walk through the doors of St. Jude with my son.
6 years later, my life has changed completely.
I'm so very grateful for all the many brave warriors we have met on our journey.
Battle buddies for life.
If you will please keep us in your prayers.
Monday is scan day for my son. There were some changes in his last one.
Please believe with us for a good stable report.
I would greatly appreciate it.
Love you so much♥
I am challenged and blessed by your heart, Elaine. I love how you so thought about htose the Lord would bring around you in chemo the next day and therefore prepared cookies for them! That so challenges me to look around me and be prepared to bless!
You are a living example of 1 Peter 3:15! Thank you for this blessing and challenge!
love and prayers to you~ Mariel
What a beautiful thought – and precious attitude…that not only encourages me but also convicts me. I was at my oncologist's today and for some reason the wait was extra long. While not totally complaining, I was beginning to get whiny (in my spirit)….and, praise the Lord, I was simply there for a port flush as my treatments are over; however, I totally lost focus of all those in the next rooms who were there for an entire day of treatment..many not feeling well and uncertain of the future.
Oh, how quick I am to lose my focus and turn my eyes on…well, me! Thank you for your sweet reminder – and for a lesson through homemade cookies!!
God bless – hope you are feeling okay after treatment!
It does not matter when I am in my journey…you always remind me that the depths of my pain and grievances of my heart and no match for the grace and peace of God's love.
Thank you again for lifting my spirits tonight!
Elaine, I have tears in my eyes… thanking God for bringing you into my life. There are many women in the spot light who are made out to be exemplary, but you, my dear, outshine them all. Thank you for keeping it real and for being real.
I love you!