I Saw the Sign

Fear of colon cancer was a struggle of mine for a very long time in my life. My grandmother on my mom's side died of colon cancer in1966 at the age of 56. I was in the 4th grade and the only experience with death at that time was the loss of our next door neighbor, a young child around 6 yrs old who had climbed thru a hole in the fence by the water canal near our home and drowned. It devastated the family and the mother was inconsolable for a long time and then they moved away. Death made an impression on my life early.

My parents brought us up in church from an early age, so knowing that God is love, heaven is a destination, grace is amazing and there is peace in the valley, is foundational for me. Yet, worrying about colon cancer became a life long struggle. As a young child I overheard a conversation between my mom and her sisters that colon cancer could be hereditary and sometimes it could skip a generation and everybody needs to keep a check on themselves so in my childish mind it could land on me. Every abdominal pain I've ever had , in my mind, could be my grandmother's colon cancer.

About twenty years ago I was in a great deal of pain and finally broke down and went to the emergency room expecting to get the diagnoses of my grandmothers cancer. After the test, I went home with diverticulitis and the treatments and restrictions that go along with that particular disease. I'm ok with that as long as it's not cancer. That visit to the emergency room did not take care of my fear or struggle. Being a woman of faith, I have quiet frequently cried out to my Heavenly Father for peace of mind, a quiet spirit and a stronger faith.

Faith, surrender and strength is my three fold cord that I grasp tightly when I'm faltering and coming to the end of my rope. Our God is always pleased when we place our trust in Him. He always hears a humble, repentant surrendered prayer. I was so tired of this worry and stress of worrying about my grandmother's cancer. I asked him for faith to believe, help to surrender to his will, and strength for whatever is ahead. Just give me a sign. It was about 15 years ago, my husband and I were returning from our lake house on Toledo Bend to our home in Houston and we were traveling south on 96 toward Silsbee, Texas, which is a regular route home for us. As we were rounding a familiar curve in the road where there was an advertising bill board that said "Sylvia, you do not have cancer". I asked my husband "Did you see that?" His response was "See what?" I sat in silence thinking " Wow, someone else named Sylvia just received a good report and put it on a billboard." The rest of the way home I was so thankful my God is personal. We can know him personally as we put our faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who gives us peace. And I have never had colon cancer.