I Am Thankful for My World

     Back in this post  I mentioned a lump I had found under my arm.  Now, I know finding a lump isn't the end all of my world.  I know that something like 4 out of every 5 lumps turn out to be nothing at all.  In fact, I've even had a lump removed already!  Back when I was 25, I found a lump while doing a self exam (I hope you do yours at least every couple months) and the doctor decided it would be best to find out what it was.  It was nothing!  Praise God!  Still, I wasn't all that nervous or upset about it back then.  I was a newlywed, 25 year old, childless women, with the world at her feet.  Nothing could happen to me!

     Well, now I'm a well-seasoned, 40 year old, mother of four, with wrinkles in my forehead.  I'm not fearless, I don't believe life will go on forever, or even that it's my God given right to live to see my children grow.  God doesn't like me better than anyone else.  Having brown hair doesn't protect me.  Having people in the world who need me doesn't matter.  I could be the one who gets the bad news.  

     But you know, fear isn't always a bad thing.  We are supposed to have fear of the Lord, right?  We should have a nice respectful fear of the ocean and dare devil feats like bungy jumping or climbing Mt. Everest.  Fear makes us aware of our surroundings and the consequences of making poor choices.  Hopefully, it guides us into making good choices.  For myself, I can say it's been a fairly peaceful week around the house.  Fear does make you aware of those little people surrounding you and how important they are. 

     I had an appointment with the surgeon today.  We will be doing a biopsy, although he is not near as worried about it as I am.  The lump is sitting on or at least very near an artery, so that gives us a bit of a complication.  My biopsy will be surgical for that reason.  A very dear friend is a nurse and has shuffled her schedule so she will be my recovery nurse.  Other dear friends have stepped in to help with the kids and dinner.  Even more are just offering prayers.

     So, I am very thankful for my own little world.  My kids, my husband, family, wonderful amazing friends and a complete sense of security.  I'm not secure from bad things, but I am secure in knowing that whatever happens, it will be okay because of the people surrounding me.

"The best part of life is when your family becomes your friends, and your friends become your family."
---Danica Whitfield