July 15, 2013 Ltr to Wears Valley United Methodist Church - Thank you For Prayer - Cancer Journey 2013-2013
July 15,2013 Letter To Wears Valley Methodist Church
A email message from my brother Harry Jr. that prompted this letter.
“ Hi Paulette
I was wondering since you write so well, if instead of me just telling the church thank you for their prayers for you if you would like to send an email letter to me to share with the pastor and the church. I thought you might want to share some of the lessons this difficult journey taught you. Something that might help or comfort a few other church members who have recently found out and/or started treatment for cancer. I know you are busy moving so I understand if you don’t have time, but if you do have time before Peter and Lindsey come just send something to me. Love Harry”
To The Wears Valley United Methodist Church Congregation:
My name is Paulette Matthews and I live on Campobello Island in New Brunswick, Canada. My heart wants to thank you all for your prayers, as I have been walking my journey with breast cancer. Never think that, “All I can do is pray.” Prayer is the most powerful and precious gift that we can give to someone. The reality of the power of prayer has never been so real to me, as while I have been on this journey with cancer. It brought tears to my eyes when my brother, Harry, shared with me that your church, where no one had ever even met me, was praying for me. My heart, spirit and soul knows that the only way I have made it through this journey with cancer is by the power of prayer of God’s family. There would never be adequate words to thank each of you who prayed.
When we join the family of God, we never know what mission field that we will be chosen to serve in. Yes, even in the land of cancer, there are people who need to experience the love of Christ. For those of you who are facing cancer or going through a time of significant trial know that, no matter how steep the hill you are climbing or how low the valley you are in, God is with you. In your most difficult moments remember to just breathe… and be still… and know that He is God. Here in the stillness is where the noise of satan and the world is silent and the only voice you will hear is
Gods’. In my moment of diagnosis, it was truly the only voice I wanted to hear,for I knew only God could guide me through the path that I had been chosen to take. Some days I had to take minute by minute, others hour by hour and some day by day. My heart really comprehended why God gives us one day at a time. When you are still, you will hear His voicewith a clarity that you have never experienced before. It is here, under the shelter of the Lord’s wings, that He will teach you the most valuable and irreplaceable lessons. He doesn’t promise us that it will be easy, but He does promise us that He will never leave us or forsake us. I can tell you from the depths of my soul that this is true. It is here that you will also experience a beauty you have never seen or felt before… it will be unlike anything you have ever know, because it is here you will sit at the very feet of Jesus and learn. Your faith will develop to a level that you never knew possible. I promise there will be blessings along the way that you would never have experienced had you not walked through the Refiner’s Fire. No, cancer is not a path that I ever would have chosen, but I would NOT change what the Lord has taught me for it transformed my very spirit, heart and soul. The Lord uses our trials to refine us into an image more like His. I have learned that the Lord can use me no matter where or how sick I am. Satan would love for us to believe the opposite for he knows that serving the Lord is where our real joy comes from. God tells us we go through our trials so we will be able to truly help each other. Being able to help someone else is when you can begin to see the purpose and experience some joy in your trials.
When you walk through a journey with cancer or a significant trial you learn what is most important in life. The truths that I have learned are plain and simple, yet are transforming when their message goes from you head to your heart. God simply wants us to love and take care of each other no matter what journey we are on. When you are given the diagnosis of cancer you learn what is most valuable in life. It is not anything we posses, but it is what we can do for God each day to serve Him. The simple things like a smile, a kind word of encouragement, a hug, a phone call or a card can change someone’s hurting heart. So when you hear His still small voice asking you to do something, don’t hesitate, just do it. You will be amazed at the hidden blessings you will see all along the way. You see today, as I sit and look out my living room window across the ocean, that I have looked at for 30 years, I see a richer beauty than I have ever seen before. I view each day and the world through new eyes. Thank you, to each of you, for helping me through this much of my journey by your prayers. Know that each of you, in your own way, have touched my life deeply through your power of prayer and for that I am eternally grateful. I am a life that you have helped change. A song that really touched my heart through my roughest journeys is Blessings by Laura Story. A devotional book that helped me walk through the most difficult trials is Streams in the Dessert by L.B. Cowman. For those of you who are facing trials I hope both of these will comfort and touch your heart.
My love in Christ,
Paulette Matthews
16 Morning Star Lane
Wilson’s Beach, New Brunswick, Canada E5E 1S9
Later my brother told me that his pastor read the letter to their church and used it for a sermon. You never know why God is having someone prompt you to do something. Just do it & don’t look question God. Just keep passing on your blessings & testimonies to others. Never stop having gratitude.
