Recently my husband and I visited an old friend. She went to college with my husband. It seems like they have been friends forever. (Well, to me they have). She and her husband were our first friends after we got married 25 years ago). She is extremely smart; an engineer by profession. She is confident and is the type of woman who has herself together. She is always willing to mentor, encourage and undergird you in anything that you attempt. That is how smart she is!
So it seems extremely unfair to me that she was diagnosed with colon cancer this past February.
We only recently found out because she didn't want to tell us. She didn't want us to go through it again since losing Brittany.
They caught it early, but she is undergoing preventive chemotheraphy.
And there is where we found her; in her beautiful home, receiving treatment through the port in her chest. The chemo was running through a small computerized pump whose strap had been slung over her shoulder like a small leather clutch big enough for a small wallet and maybe a driver's license.
Did I forget to mention that while she was hooked up, she was running her department at a government agency? (I told you she is extremely smart...) Laptop computer and cell phone hooked up, there she sat, answering emails, taking calls and attending meetings. The woman is AMAZING and is one of the strongest women I know.
Graciously sitting in her beautiful family room, she was doing the business of the day and taking a few minutes to visit with two old friends.
Now that is what I call walking in big shoes...
Accepting where you are, but not allowing it to take you under or out! Continuing to do your job with the best attitude although you have every right to have a stinky one...and doing it extremely well. Facing the challenges of a difficut disease, but not allowing it to wear you down.
But what I loved best was in spite of chemotherapy and a hectic schedule on the job, she took a few moments to be with friends. Friends who seemed to need the assurance that she was okay more than she did.
And after wonderful conversation, we had to get ready to catch our plane to return home. And as any good hostess would, she walked us to the door and saw us off.
Her courage and her strength helped me to remember that it's not what you go through...it's how you handle it.
Just another day in the life of a woman who has the courage to face any problem with her head ALWAYS looking up.
We should do the same.
Blessings,
Melodie
Why Big Shoes?
Because each day God requires us to walk in obedience, no matter how hard or long the journey. We need to walk in those shoes with boldness, confidence and courage. Everyone needs spiritual "Big Shoes" that will take them to new levels of spiritual impartation and revelation. I've learned, the hardest thing is we need the strength to put them on each day. And that takes faith. Who wants to walk in "Big Shoes" when you have been hurt or betrayed? Who has the courage to walk in "Big Shoes" when fear has your spirit gripped so tight you refuse to trust God to take you through your darkest days? The amazing thing is when you put on those "Big Shoes", the struggle doesn't seem so hard. God and His Holy Spirit carries you through the toughest journeys - even when you think you are walking alone. As you walk, the heaviness of the struggle doesn't seem to weigh you down as much. You force yourself to take one step at a time, pressing, pushing your way through every obstacle that rises up against you.
There is no need to try to do it all yourself when God is there to lead you to still waters and those luscious green pastures. No, walking in Big Shoes, simply means you have the courage to shout out to God, "I can't do this without you". Before you know it, you are at the place He wants you to be, encouraged, empowered, enabled to move forward in faith, confidence and trust.
There is no need to try to do it all yourself when God is there to lead you to still waters and those luscious green pastures. No, walking in Big Shoes, simply means you have the courage to shout out to God, "I can't do this without you". Before you know it, you are at the place He wants you to be, encouraged, empowered, enabled to move forward in faith, confidence and trust.
