“My hair is really starting to fall out now”. That’s what she wrote on her facebook wall.
In fact, so much hair is falling out, she had to shave her head yesterday. Actually her husband did it for her.
I know how hard it is for her. No, that’s a lie. I have no idea what she’s going through. I just know how hard it would be for me to lose my hair or any part of me that identifies me as me. She has always had beautiful hair and great haircuts and loved trying new, fun styles. I’m certain she will again because I know her hair will grow back.
It might be different than before but it will be beautiful.
The good thing in all of this? She knows what’s important. As hard as it is to lose her hair, it’s her inner beauty that her friends see. We know her heart is the thing God treasures and we know God sees and God knows what she’s going through right now.
As the chemo drips and her hair comes out in clumps and she begs for the thorn to be removed, He whispers, “My grace is sufficient.” As life comes at her harder than she ever bargained for He says, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” His fragrance permeates all our lives as she lifts up His name and makes it bigger than her problem, bigger than her pain, bigger than her hair.
Sometimes He lets us break only to rebuild us stronger than before. To give our lives a witness to His sustaining power during our most difficult trials. To teach us and others the most important thing and the hardest to learn:
He Is Enough.
Here’s how she described her decision:
“The time to shave my head is fast approching. My hair is really starting to fall out now. I cried alot on Monday with the first big clump coming out but today is better. It is just hair and it will grow back. I can look forward to seeing what my new hair will look like. I am praying for curls.”
I’m praying she gets curls too!
She is Moses fighting the battle and we are her Aarons, holding her arms up when she gets weary. This is what life’s about. Bad stuff comes into our lives from time to time and either we give in to self-pity and anger or we reach out for prayer and strength. It’s when the hard things come in that we realize how desperately we need each other.
The coolest thing, and she probably doesn’t even realize it yet, is the impact she’s having on those around her. Her life is a witness to God’s faithfulness. She is showing us all what it means to grow in grace. To grow through the test of her faith, through the storm and the fire. And to do it with dignity and overwhelming courage.
She wrote this yesterday:
“So…my husband shaved my head this afternoon. Thought it was going to be quite traumatic and emotional. It wasn’t at all. With my family around me and my boys making me laugh it was okay. My son took a movie and my daughter took some photos to document the moment. Thanks for all your prayers. I love you my friends.”
My friend is stronger than I am, I’m certain of that. I would be wallowing in a great puddle of self-pity but she isn’t. She’s going through a huge life transformation with grace and dignity and a lot more courage than I’d have if I were in her shoes.
And as she walks through the fire, she is fully aware, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego centuries before, that the 4th man is in the fire right there with her. And, He isn’t going anywhere. He will see to it that she comes through with not even the slightest smell of smoke anywhere around her.
Each of us is guaranteed to face trials. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble.” I don’t like that verse! I don’t like thinking that tough times are going to come. I’ve been through enough of them thank you very much. But no matter what comes I know He will be there with me. I only hope I can walk through my trials with as much grace as my friend. I’m sure she didn’t volunteer to be in front but she is leading the way and teaching us all how to walk through fire.
She deserves to have beautiful curls, don’t you think?
What about you?
What are you walking through right now? It would be my honor to pray for you. We are a community here and we pray, that I know for certain. Bless you friend.
Prayer for my Grandson