They are everything I have been told ... HOT, ITCHY, and UNCOMFORTABLE! HOWEVER, let me tell you the fun part of having a wig! I'm washing my "hair" right now while getting work done!! What more can a busy mom/wife/business owner want... to be able to multi-task while one of those tasks is shampooing your hair :-)
Now, for the big question of the day... does one use soap or shampoo on the few very short stubbles of hair that's left on top of the head????? I have that question every morning :-) You would think that shampoo is still needed – but there are so few stubbles left that maybe body soap is ok. Let’s take a poll… tell me what you think!?!?
I had my blood work done today. My white cell count was low again. It was the same trend as last treatment. SO, instead of my body loosing white cells at the typical 7-10 days, I seem to be at my low at day 14. Oh well, now we know it and schedule life accordingly. When my white cells are low, that means my immune system is in jeopardy. I need to be very careful not to catch anything so my body doesn’t have to fight it. I’m thinking that I may not be able to go to church that Sunday – or just sit in the back row. I seem to always have a scratchy throat on the following Monday.
I had my Procrit shot to help boost my red cells - they didn’t look all that bad today. This shot is supposed to help boost my energy level. It’s funny, I don’t feel tired, but there are times I tell my legs to walk across the room to get something or do something, and my legs DON’T MOVE! It’s a very weird feeling. I feel ok, my brain is telling my legs what to do, but my legs are being stubborn and say “no”. Someone asked me if I ever feel “normal” in between the treatments, I would have to say “no”. There is always that fatigue hiding in the background. I can’t accomplish as much as I am use to and that is hard for me!!!
So, today, I unloaded the dishwasher and reloaded it, did just a tiny bit of Creative Memories paperwork, washed my “hair” and went to Costco for our monthly supply of meat. That’s a wrap for today – so much less than normal – but I’m SO APPRECIATIVE that God is letting me accomplish what really needs to be done!
Today is just a day to rejoice for what I do have! It certainly helps when the weather is sunny and in the low 70s (had to throw that in for my Illinois readers). I have a family that is helping me with the house. I have friends that offer to help with the kids etc. I have SO MANY PRAYER supporters. I have a cancer center that treats me like I’m the only one in Bakersfield with cancer, and I have my heavenly Daddy by my side at all times. I am blessed!! I think a GREAT activity for all of us – everyday – is tell someone all of the blessings God gave you that day. If all of us focus on the positive wouldn’t that start to change our world! What would it be like to live in a totally positive world? I am game to find out!!!
As a girl, we are taught to want all eyes on us. First, you are the cutest little toddler in that frilly Easter dress and bonnet or beautiful velvet red dress for Christmas pictures. Then you grow up and during elementary ages, you learn fashion. You want to start exploring with nail polish and eye shadow. You know that the world sees a “beautiful” girl as one all made up – just like those teenagers that you start to idolize. Then in high school you have cheerleading. You want every boy to know that you have been selected to be one of the most popular girls that gets to wave her little thin body in front of you wearing a little short short skirt. Also, you have the formal dances! You go shopping over and over waiting for that perfect dress to pop out at you. A dress that is not “distasteful” and yet screams, “look at me – I’m all grown up!”
As women, we come to our senses…. Or do we!?!? We still care what others think. Some of us care more than others. Unfortunately, I am one that has always cared. I guess I have always had insecurity about my looks. My parents always told me I’m cute or pretty. My husband tells me that ALL THE TIME for 10 years. However, those words bounce off of me because “he loves me”. I appreciate their words – but they don’t sink down deep.
So, I don’t leave the house – no, not for any reason – without make up on and a nice put together outfit. If any eyes look at me – I don’t want them to be looking at me out of despair. Well, tonight, I HAD ALL EYES ON ME! It was a very hard reality check night for me. As hundreds have told me wigs are hot and scratchy. I don’t like wearing them more than I have to. I had a church project this morning so I just wore a scarf covering my bald head – ok, it’s not 100% bald Lon would want me to say – I still have some small patches of black whiskers on top. The scarf looks ok, doesn’t scratch, and it’s as hot. It has become my “cover up” of choice.
Tonight, I needed to go to the grocery store for just a couple things – yes, Lon needed a few more ingredients to make cheesecake. I wouldn’t have gone for just normal food – but Lon’s cheesecake – that I’ll make a trip for. Anyway, I wasn’t in the mood to go “find my hair” so I decided to be brave and go to the store wearing my scarf. I knew that I might have some people’s eyes on me – and not because I looked my best.
I walked into the grocery store and the first lady who saw me simply turned her head as fast as possible. In the next aisle, I passed a gentleman that stared. He almost couldn’t take his eyes away from me. The next aisle, there were 3 teenage girls. They looked at me like I was an alien and moved closer to the shelving letting me pass. Gentleman after gentleman – lady after lady – child after child – had to “look” at me and my scarf. It sure made me feel uncomfortable. I tried thinking what was going inside of their minds… “Oh, she’s sick”… “Oh no, she’s on chemo, I wonder what for”… “I wonder how sick she is – will she die” etc. Haven’t you caught yourself asking those questions when you see a lady with her entire head covered up – and NO HAIR is showing?
First, it was a reality check for me. Yes, I have cancer and I won’t be able to cover that up for the next year. I don’t have hair – I have whiskers. I felt awkward. I felt very insecure. I felt judged. WOW, how can others do that to me!
The lesson for today, don’t we always judge by the outer appearance – even when we don’t’ want to be judged that way? I confess that of course I do – not meaning to – but it’s my nature. I look at a person and in seconds I get my “first impression”. Do they have clothes from this decade? Are their bodies clean and groomed? Do they accessorize? Do they look like they are educated and successful by their wardrobe choices? We judge someone in just seconds. Those judgments can last a lifetime!
Now, the fact that those people judged me by coming to the conclusion that I may be going through chemo is no biggie because I AM! I did wish I had the opportunity to tell each one of them that I am living through the chemo and feeling very blessed because my heavenly Daddy is taking such wonderful care of me. I wanted to explain that no one has to feel sorry for me – my Daddy has this under control. So although it was awkward and I didn’t like all of the “looks”, I am proud to say that this summer, I will be wearing scarves a whole lot more than wigs!
A funny but true story, I told Zavier my 7 year old once that he needs to judge by the heart not outer appearance - just like we are not to judge a book by the cover. He replied without a hesitation… “Mom, we all judge a book by the cover! If we don’t think the cover is interesting, we don’t pick the book from the library to read!” What’s the saying, “out of the mouths of babes”? WE DO JUDGE BY THE OUTER APPERANCE!
I need to change how I get my “first impressions”. I don’t want to judge people by their outward appearance. I want to keep my opinions clear until I have met the person’s heart. You know, I do know ONE PERSON that does this every time He meets someone. You know it; it’s my heavenly Daddy. My Daddy loves the way we all look – He created us to look exactly how we do. He took the time to make each one of us in His image with special and unique features. So, His first impression is not about our outward appearance. He is first impression is what we have done with our “free will” regarding our heart! Do we love? Do we try to follow His plans for our lives? Are we giving back to others in authentic community? Do we look past the outside and look at other’s hearts? Those are the kinds of things my Daddy is asking Himself.
If my goal is to be more like my Daddy, then I have to change in this area! I have to first take time for people – to get to know them. I need to not just hear people when they talk to me but listen to them. I have to understand their heart. I have to try to see their needs. Then, I need to love them no matter what the inside looks likes. If their insides are lined with God’s purpose for us, my first impression should lead to getting to know them better. If their insides are not lined with God’s purpose for us, my first impression should be to get to know them. You see, no matter what place I find their heart, they are my Daddy’s special children. If their heart is right, we can team up to do God’s work. If their heart is in the wrong place, my Daddy may need to work through me!
So, the question is how do we judge a person? The lesson is to look at the inside and love no matter what! The action, I need to work on this area. If you do too – feel free to start tomorrow with me!!
Have you ever had one of those days where your “trust” in God feels shaken? You feel terrible about it – you don’t want to not trust – but it’s just a hard day. That’s how I’m feeling today. Just a week ago our church gave out “Certificates” to it’s leaders – fun ones – and I got the “Most likely to TRUST God”. If they saw my heart today, they may want to take it back.
Two days ago, Lon got a job! Finally, it came after 2 years. The downside – it only pays $7.55 an hour – not close to the $30 and hour we are use to. I was SO happy though because it will be a fixed income that will almost cover our whole mortgage – YEAH! Today, I look at our finances and wonder why I’m not packing already. We are paying $1000 a month on credit card interest. If we could get a Home Equity loan that would go down to $500 a month – but how do you prove income when the income comes from God. God doesn’t provide documentation! My first chemo bill came – insurance pays $1000 and each treatment is $4800. I have a “case worker” that is trying to work something with my insurance, but if not, we can’t float.
So on the surface, it’s looks like with all of our trust and faith and effort, my family may still be on the streets – no, not the streets but a mobile home (which isn’t life or death). Lon asked me this morning, “what does God want us to do – we’ll do it”? I guess that’s my question too – “God, what do you want us to do!?”
Then I get angry with myself. If I didn’t have cancer (like I asked for it), this wouldn’t be so bad. We wouldn’t have the medical bills and I would be able to work full time (now that I’m not babysitting Kaci). I could pull my share – I could be an asset instead of a liability. Instead of working, with my low blood cell counts, I lay on the couch and am happy if I clean one room or do a little Creative Memories paperwork. WOW, don’t I accomplish a lot. So, I hate this cancer! I hate feeling so tired. I hate feeling nauseous. I hate having this metal taste that makes me not want to eat or drink. I hate having to run to the bathroom to find a hat or “hair” if the doorbell rings.
As I start to scream to God, and yes, I do let Him see my anger, I fall and cry to Him. “Daddy, I don’t know what to do! Daddy, I don’t know if you are asking me to change and I’m not seeing it. Daddy, do you want my family to live in a mobile home? Daddy, why do we need to go down to an even lower pit? Daddy, show me the way!”
My heavenly Daddy shows me once again that He is right here. No, it doesn’t rain $100 dollar bills, but I can feel His arms around me. I can hear the small whisper saying, “Don’t give up on me!” I know that God will take care of my family. I know that He is never more than a step from my side. I know that if He wasn’t watching out for my family we’d be eating at the “soup kitchen” a long time ago. I know that when I reach heaven – a land of no bills or sickness – my Daddy will say, “I’m proud of you for not giving up!”
So, I had my day of anger and lack of trust. The great thing, God allows that! Look at the Old and New Testament and you’ll see that God still loves you when you show human emotions. Now, I have the choice to stay there or once again pick myself up and remember that in my weakness HE IS STRONG! I choose to “get over it” and hold on to my TRUST even harder than before! It’s so NOT easy – but it’s so WORTH IT! I can’t handle all of these burdens on my shoulders – they can’t carry them. God’s shoulders can! SO, as with you all as my accountability supporters, I give this anger and non-trust day to God, ask Him to forgive me for wavering, and ask Him for His strength and comfort.
The passage from Habakkuk 3: 17-19 has kept me going for over a year now. The commentary is what hits my heart hard. I hold on to it today… When nothing makes sense, and when troubles seem more than you can bear, remember that God gives strength. Take your eyes off your difficulties and look to God. God will give his followers surefooted confidence through difficult times!
I am looking straight to my Daddy with confidence that “this time will pass”. Whether my family ever feels financial security on earth it doesn’t matter – we have security for ETERNAL LIFE! My husband, our children, and myself will enjoy “forever” with our Daddy! This “moment” on earth may be terrible – but it’s only a moment! SO, here’s to TRUST and FAITH in our Daddy! He will NEVER let us down!!
Go Donna, Go Donna ..... yes, only 5 days past a Chemo treatment and my dad (70 in May) and I went rollerblading for the first time with Keona and Zavier. No broken bones to report - not even a fall!!! Now, that's living in the moment and looking ahead. I had to be a little more careful that my "fake" boob and "fake" hair didn't fall off or get out of place, but besides that, I was feeling free skating around the rink (and praying the whole time God would keep me in one piece)! One thing this cancer can't take away from me is my fun and my enjoyment living with my kids! My dad has taught me to "play" more this trip - THANKS!
GO Papa, GO Papa ... you did GREAT!!!!!!!!
I'm bald... officially bald... shinning top, although it's really not very shinning - how sad! I'm more a scary white - you know, skin that has never seen any sun. You would have thought that living in weather where it can be 110 for 14 days straight at least a couple sun rays could have hit my scalp - NOPE :-(
One … Two… DONE! Yes, I have finished my second treatment – only six more to go! This one was a little worse than the first. The “drip” itself was fine. I had incredible nurses like I always do. They care about you as a person not just a patient. My parents were there with me to “see the routine”. We meet a nice Christian guy who was hooked up next to me. It was long but with no ill effects
Then, I got home and things were not as smooth this time. I did “loose my cookies” on and off for about 5 hours – not fun. I’ve been more nauseous and the fatigue started to settle in. My little crew cut hairs are falling out quicker. I know it’s hard for my parents to watch! “Can I get you...” with me screaming NO! Nothing sounds good – the metal taste is sharper – and the whole cycle just isn’t as new. I can’t help but think SIX more! How will I make it!
Then I sit back and really think about this … not how can I make it, but how can I loose sight and hope so easily? Isn’t that just like us “humans”! One rough time can come our way and we – in and instant – forget the hundreds of wonderful things that have blessed our lives. We make it through a rough time with God holding our hands and then we find a bump and wonder if He let go. We can even play the “why me card … aren’t you watching”. How pathetic! So self centered – SO all about how I am feeling – So all about my pain!
Once again, what if I was to stop and look around me! What would I see? The cool Christian guy next to me having to have his treatments every other week for 6 months straight! People who have lost loved ones that will never be coming back! Young moms that may have cancer or something different but the hope for them to see their children grow up is slim or non-existent. People who have chronic pain or sicknesses that have them feeling bad daily – weekly – for the rest of their lives. The worse thing I can possibly see – which is out there if we would take time to look – is people going through this world, with all the pain and sorrow the world brings, with NO GOD walking with them! Oh, not that my heavenly Daddy isn’t’ waiting for these people to reach out – but for some reason, they haven’t.
So, yes, I had it worse this time and matter of fact there is nothing to say it won’t continue to get harder (expect I’ll be talking to the doctor about different anti-nausea med). I have 6 more times – 18 more days to feel terrible! What I pray is that I won’t be so quick to concentrate on my 18 miserable days and me. I pray that I live for others – how can I help them when they are going through their miserable days. I pray that I live knowing my God is walking each step with me and He has a BIG plan for us. I pray that I focus on the 2 weeks that I feel so good. I pray that I focus on the fact this treatment is working and it looks like I’ll be going through the teen years with my kids.
Most of all, I pray that I remember that Jesus, my Lord, knew how many beatings were coming His way and yet He didn’t give up after 2 – no, my Lord went the full distance – for ME! I will go the full distance! For God promises me that He is with me, and all of this will work together for HIS good! I signed up to be a team player on His team – and I plan on keeping my contract! What if I gave up and on treatment number four there was a person just waiting for me to tell them about Jesus!?!? Here’s to my next 6 treatments!
Ok, my hair was coming out in handfuls so today WAS the day. Zavier went first and got his "summer" look and then I followed. I have some hair left so I didn't go from normal to shining skin - but it's definitely a very new look for me! I match Zavier and Lonnie ... will Keona follow out of peer pressure :-)
Today, after the shaving, I knew I needed to feel my heavenly Daddy. So, I took my folks to see "my canyon" - I'm very possessive. It was beautiful as always. The mountains appear to be reaching the heavens (even when I know they aren’t that big of mountains). The stream was cold and crisp and looked so beautiful flowing over the rocks. The temperature was incredible – high 60s.
To look at nature reminds me of the size of my Daddy – HUGE! My Daddy created that entire splendor. He can move those mountains with a word. That kind of Daddy can help me walk through anything that this world throws into my path … even a hair “buzz”! I have nothing to fear – nothing to be anxious about – nothing to hide from. My Daddy and I are on a lifelong adventure – together – holding hands!
Well, the hair is coming out in handfuls! Yes, I will be bald. The kids really want to shave my head tomorrow!?!? Should I take the plunge or should I wait until the bitter end!?!?!? It's so weird - it's that unknown again. How will my head look? Do I have ugly bumps? How white will it look having never seen the sun? Once it's gone then I will live with it, get use to it, and move on. It's always that moment of truth that is hard. So, most likely, the next time you see me, I'll have on a wig (which I got some awesome wigs) or a hat (which I have some very cute comfy hats). Here's to the freedom of being bald :-)
Well, it can’t hurt to dream – but when the dream is over, you must move on!!! My dream of being the only person on this specific chemo and NOT loosing my hair is over today. Yes, Keona had great pleasure pulling out 15 hairs last night, and this morning, I lost over 100 hairs between showering and drying my hair. I am going to be BALD!
So, the dream is over, and it’s time to focus on the positive! With our financial situation, not having to purchase shampoo etc. will be a great help. I’ll have extra time not needing to dry or style. I have the most incredible hats – thanks to some of you – and I can wear them proudly!!
God has given me so much more than hair. He has given me eyes to see His beautiful creation and I feel blessed in CA with a mountain view. I have a mouth that can sing His praises and spread His love to others. He has given me a body that can take care of my husband and children and hug and kiss them. He has given me a body that is fighting to be healed! How amazing is our creator.
How many of you have read Psalms 139? When your body is not doing what you think it should – like loosing hair in clumps – this passage puts it all into perspective. Psalm 139:13-16, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place; when I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
God took time to create each one of us in a unique and individual way – but also, in His image. Lon would say that I forget that too much. If I don’t like my weight, or my zits, or my extra tummy roll, or a baldhead etc., I loose my “like” for me. This passage and Lon remind me (and no, I don’t always listen and I need to) that when I am not happy with “me”, I’m not respecting God as my creator. He planned me... and molded me to His liking. He's a perfect God... He doesn’t make mistakes when He creates His children!
So, I am thankful that my baldness is not permanent, but during the experience, I will remember to praise God for the way He created me and I will “like” me!
How do you feel? That’s the question they asked me today after seeing my blood cell counts. “Fine”, I replied. Have you ever noticed that you can be feeling really good and then the minute someone tells you that you have a reason to feel poorly so you do! My white cell count was very low today. It’s suppose to be the in the 4-10 range and I tested at 1.7 this morning.
So, the panic starts. Do you have a fever… do you have a sore throat… are you etc. tired etc. How do you answer these questions... Don’t know – I didn’t have a reason to take my temp…. my throat always hurts the minute someone asks me if it hurts… more tired – I’m not a morning person and I’m up and getting shots at 8:30am!
They continue to tell me that I need to watch out because I can’t afford to get sick. I shouldn’t go around sick people – doesn’t that equate to stay home!? I should wash my hands after touching anything – does that mean wear white gloves? Take my temperature every hour and watch the trend – should I expect a fever? Yes, instantly, I feel like I’m confined to a bubble. The warning lights are flashing and I am going to be under careful watch!
Then you start wondering if this could postpone my next treatment scheduled for the 14th. GREAT – I’d love to postpone the 4 days of nausea and fatigue. TERRIBLE – I’d hate to postpone the next 7 treatments and not be done by summer. What mixed emotions!
After taking it all in, I can sit and relax! My counts are low – God knows this! I am more apt to get sick with the counts low – God knows this! There is nothing I can do to change my counts – God knows this! I don’t know what this means for the next treatment – God already knows when each treatment will be scheduled.
So, even though I felt panic and alarms at the doctor’s office this morning – I can sit with a calm serenity around me – my GOD knows what’s going on and He’ll take care of it! What a gift that is from God. No matter what circumstances the world throws at us – we can sit and be calm – for God is in control! We don’t have to worry or be anxious about the next day or next week. We don’t have to panic about the worse case scenario – if I was to catch a sickness. We can still live in the moment feeling safe and loved and allow the next minute to be in God’s hands! I thank you my heavenly Daddy for having your hands carry my world!! I will enjoy today and be your servant today! I will sing praises to you and show you how much I love you! You are my GOD!
I don’t know about you, but I have never praised God for letting me do household chores! No, I hate to admit it, but I have never seen that as a privilege or honor. I do keep a neat and pretty clean home out of necessity but not out of showing love to my family.
God says that our hardships will help us see how blessed we truly have it. Yesterday was one of those days for me! I DO WINDOWS! Yes, I was feeling so good yesterday – Praise God – that I did laundry, vacuumed the house, scrubbed floors, clean bathrooms, and I washed some windows. What was different this time compared to the last 10 years? I wasn’t taking my health for granted. I would do a task and then sit down and see how I felt. I was good. I would get back up and move on to the next task. Sit down and see how I felt – and continued with the pattern. As I was even cleaning the toilets, I was praising God that I was feeling so well only 1.5 weeks after my treatment.
This may seem like a little thing – it’s not! After feeling so sick for that first week – always thinking I should stay close to my “special bowl”, it felt incredible to be able to work like I use to work – when I didn’t even think about it.
How many other things has God put into our lives that have become so routine – so normal – so taken for granted? Do you take your health for granted? Do we take our families for granted? Our talents and gifts for granted? I plan on taking time to praise God for everything in my life – the good, the bad, and the ugly! I plan on finding all the little blessings that I never chose to look at as a blessing! How much different our daily chores could be if we saw them as blessings! One of my dear friends told me that she has learned this lesson and this is what helped her – if her husband or kids leave a mess, when she cleans it up she throws up a prayer – “Thanks God that (fill in the name) is here!” She turns her chores into blessings!
SO... let’s go out there into this world and DO WINDOWS!
Have you ever had a day where you just wanted to feel sorry for yourself? Poor Donna, I have cancer. Poor Donna, our money ran out months ago. Poor Donna, I feel nauseous and tired. Poor Donna, my hair is getting ready to fall out. Poor Donna, I have a metal taste in my mouth. Poor Donna, I have sores on my tongue. Poor Donna … Poor Donna
I could easily let myself be there – the world would totally understand and approve. Well, God doesn’t approve! He wants me to stay focused on how blessed I am! Sometimes, God may put a person or thing in your path to give you that gentle reminder.
Last night at my support group – although I wasn’t in a “pity party” mood – I got a reminder of how blessed I am. A young 32 Pilipino girl walked into our group. She was crying. She sat down and began to tell us her story – get your tissue ready! She was selected 3 years ago to come over to America to be a teacher. She had to learn English etc. Yes, they were the “token” ethnic teachers. It’s been very hard not knowing much English – the way America works and knowing NO one! She then did make a wrong choice and found herself pregnant. Although the dad appears to be willing to help out – in his schedule – there is no future plans for the 2 of them to be together. Two weeks ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. They had to do an immediate C-section (at 36 weeks) to remove the baby. A few days after the baby was born she had a mastectomy. She begins her chemo on Feb 10th – 4 cycles of the not so fun drug that I am receiving. She’ll be nauseous, fatigued etc. from the chemo while taking care of a newborn – while worrying that if America doesn’t want her to teach next year, she’ll loose insurance and be shipped back home etc. etc. etc. I AM BLESSED!
So, let’s look back at my life. I have an incredible husband and 2 little kids that are helping with my “bad days”. I have a church family that supports me with dinners, childcare, parties to keep my spirits high, and lots and lots of prayers. I have neighbors that check on me daily seeing if I need help with the kids. I have one of Lon’s clients bringing over many frozen dinners that I just need to thaw and heat. On paper we may look bankrupt, but I haven’t gone a without a meal for my family and the earliest we can loose the house (which I don’t think is in God’s plans) is in 3 months. I have WONDERFUL doctors and nurses that administer my chemo and treat me like I am the only patient they have. I had hats and wigs given to me as presents. I don’t think I’ll go on – you see the picture! BUT, I could go on – that’s the point.
No matter how terrible life looks – we have more blessings than hardships! We just need to remember where to focus. Once it becomes habit to focus on the positive – the blessings – I have found that God gives you another wonderful gift – to truly have a joy when you see hardships. For you can know that you don’t get what you can’t handle – with God’s help – and after the hardship’s lesson, you will LOVE who you have become.
Keona wrote me an email and said, “Mom, I wish you didn’t have cancer!” She has been so sweet to me. I replied, “Keona, I am glad I do! God thinks I’m strong enough to handle it and he’ll teach me lessons to make me more like Him”. Keona replied back (yes, our family communicates through email – thanks daddy), “Mom, you are right. I can’t wait to see how much bad stuff God thinks I can handle. Think mom, I’m starting with my own mom having cancer!” Ok, to the ordinary person – we look CRAZY!!!! You see my daughter and I laughing and carrying on about wanting “bad things”. The realization – my daughter and I know God’s peace and trust Him when He says He loves us. We know He knows best! I would prefer to go without the “bad stuff” – but I know God uses it to mold and develop me!
What do you do when you see a “bad thing” coming your direction? Do you flee? Get angry? It’s your choice how to react. Try to take hold of whatever comes your way … find the positive … and then praise God for the outcome – you being one step closer to being like your heavenly Daddy!