A Changing Day

One week ago, my long-time friend Ree (Twitty) Hester was diagnosed with breast cancer. This morning she is having a double mastectomy. She is strong, both inside and out, and is full of faith in God. The day she found out her diagnosis and I talked to her on the phone, she said "God's got it." She knows it's in God's hands and that He is the Master Healer.

Ree is a special friend. We go back to the ole high school days. We were close friends that had loads of fun together. There were many times of eating raw cookie dough, skipping lunch at THS and going to Taco "Slut", going water skiing every Saturday of the summer, and many, many long, deep conversations about life in general (So long sometimes Ree missed curfew and her Dad would be waiting for her in the driveway! And to think - we hadn't been out partying - just talking!). Ree was a bridesmaid in my wedding and I was one in hers. We now go to church together and our kids are close in age, but like many, we don't get to talk to each other near like we should. It's no excuse, but time gets away sometimes, as I'm reminded of that now.

Ree's life now will change - at least for awhile while she undergoes treatment for this cancer. Her body will change, her hair will change, but I know Ree's spirit will not change. I can see God's work through her and know He has a plan in all this. Her humor will definitely not change, which is God-given too. My prayer is that she will have complete healing - that through this process, God will use her in a special way - that we, as her friends, will love and support her in a way that lifts her up - that Chris and the boys will feel that love and support too.

When Daddy died of lung cancer, I didn't understand. I knew God knew what He was doing but I still didn't, and don't, understand. When I get to Heaven I'll know, and that's ok that I don't have all the answers right now. Ree doesn't have all the answers either. Maybe she never will - this side of Heaven - but she is under God's wing this very moment. She knows that and will carry a peace in her heart from that knowledge. In the days ahead, I know this "season" in her life will be a ministry to inspire others - just like she's inspired me in different ways through our friendship.