The Potter’s Hand

Today’s a new day! This crazy beautiful health journey has taken me from who I was to the person God created me to be. This is not a path I would have willingly chosen for myself or for Laura and our loved ones. Each day this journey gets a little more painful. My body aches almost as much as my heart. I do not get caught up in whether or not this journey was chosen for me. I will leave that debate for others to figure out. I do know I am being shaped by the Potter’s hand. He continues to dig his hands in and squeezes out all the imperfections…. placing me into the fire to seal his skilled handiwork. All the while I continue to put my faith and hope in my Savior’s loving hands… trusting him with my very life. ~OC

January 16, 2024 0

God’s Voice

Today’s a new day! I have been walking this crazy beautiful health journey for over twenty years. Anyone who has endured long term health issues will understand immediately the agony of this path, not only on your own body and life but in the lives of those that love you. But in the middle of all of that, I have learned to recognise the quiet voice of God. To date, God’s voice has not let me down or steered me in the wrong direction. His voice brings peace and comfort and allows me a chance to breathe when the reality of my battle would seek to crush the very air from my lungs.

So I continue to lean into God and make sure His voice is the one voice that doesn’t get ignored. Over the years, I have learned how to weed out the voices that would seek to bring harm, no matter how well intentioned and allow only those voices that bring hope, peace and encouragement. I know there will be some who read this post and call me naive. But you know what? I don’t care.

My journey, my rules. It’s my race and I decide how to run it. And in the center of my race, I choose to run into the unfailing words of God.

I have no idea what this crazy beautiful health journey holds for me, but I know that if I am anchored with deep roots in God’s Word, I will continue running a strong race. As grateful as I am for my medical team and the medications that keep me going, I have never put my hope in them. My hope, my confidence, is in the God of Heaven.
He will never let down. ~OC

January 10, 2024 0

Walking Through Grief

Today’s a new day! As we walk into the second week of 2024, I know many are still grieving a loss. Some are currently in the process- some are preparing for a loss and for some the loss has already occurred. For some the loss is fresh, for others the loss took place twenty years ago. Grief comes in many forms. Maybe it’s the death of a loved one, possibly the end of a relationship or maybe a devastating diagnosis. But whatever the loss and wherever you are now, lean into your feelings, reach out to your community and put in the work involved to deal with your grief. Be present during these difficult times. Do not numb out all your feelings. Do not run away from the pain and loss. As much as you can, stay present. Lean into God’s love, kindness, strength and healing and you will find all that you need.

If you are walking through a season of grief it’s okay – lean in, open up, feel what you feel, as much as you’re ready. Showing up goes a long way. ~OC

January 9, 2024 0

Tell Your Story

Today’s a new day! When you hear a powerful testimony of someone’s struggles in life what do you think? Maybe you feel sorry for the person. Maybe you feel a little uncomfortable, and wish they’d kept it to themselves, because it’s difficult to process or know how to help. Or maybe it’s just like your own story, and hearing it makes you feel a little less alone, a little more part of something. Sharing our testimony is powerful.

When we share our challenges with each other, we’re taking a part in breaking down any obstacles and opening a space for people to say, “I’ve been there too.”

Silence in the midst of life’s storms is dangerous. Too many people are walking through life being silent because they feel alone or they don’t want to burden others with their problems. We need to speak up. We need to share our stories. When we share our journey, we have the opportunity to encourage others walking through their own struggles. To let them know they are not alone. I believe besides feeling like they would be a burden, some people are scared to share their feelings because they would be seen as weak or lacking faith. Do not fall into that lie.

If not for the love of God and the support of many during my crazy beautiful health journey, I would be a mess. After a period of not sharing my journey, God gave me the boldness to share my story. During this long health journey, I have been blessed to hear the amazing stories of people walking through their own health journey. Their stories have touched me in profound ways. These stories help me remember how I continue to make it through and build a sense of community where we can all encourage and affirm one another. I’ve spoken with many people who thought that their experience wasn’t “good enough,” or that it wouldn’t impact anyone enough to be worth sharing. But what I’ve seen over and over is that each person has their own specific life experience and way of telling their story. The way you tell a story might get through to someone in a way that no other story has. Every story matters.

So my encouragement and challenge is to stop being silent. The only thing silence accomplishes is more isolation. Being silent while facing the storms of life, creates more people who feel alone, who feel that they have nothing to offer. Our ability to share with one another is powerful — let’s engage it. Keep sharing your journey. You never know who will need to hear it one day. Plenty of people are struggling with chronic health issues and other life challenges, but hide it so well that no one realizes what they’re going through. Each time we share our life experiences we spread love, hope, encouragement, awareness and support to those walking through their own challenges. So let’s open up a little more and be honest about where we are and what we’re going through. If you’re currently walking through a battle, please reach out. You are not alone. ~OC

January 8, 2024 0

Word for 2024

Today’s a new day! We have officially entered 2024. Happy New Year! As we celebrate a new year, I have been praying about what word God would give me for 2024.

While many are uneasy about the year ahead — whether that anxiety stems from family, health, finances issues or the political climate, I am going into the new year with anticipating and excitement. The word God has given me for 2024 is Passion.

As I reflect back on my running days, I attribute much of my success to being passionate about running. Putting in the daily training to be a successful runner was a grind. Most of my runs were filled with pain and discomfort. It would have been easy to give into the pain and give up. But running was not just a hobby for me. No, it was a passion and calling from God. As some of you know, God gave me a vision during surgery in 2003 to remove a cancerous tumor that He wanted me to start running marathons and sharing his love. As I shared earlier, the marathons and training were a grind, but the passion to share all God had done and was doing in my life gave me the desire to push through the pain.

I wholeheartedly believe to be successful in running and more importantly to be successful in life, we need to approach everything with a sense of passion.

I believe it’s difficult to be successful in this journey called life without enthusiasm, energy, dedication and a passion to achieve.

I pray in this new year, we choose to run after the things that are important in life with devotion and a sense of passion to help others and to make planet earth a better place for everyone.

As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I will stay the course and spread hope, love and encouragement to everyone God brings my way. I pray your 2024 is filled with peace, joy and passion. ~OC

January 1, 2024 0

Hallelujah

Today’s a new day! As I have walked this crazy beautiful health journey for over 20 years, I’ve had a lot of time to think about the journey. These thoughts have been like a blueprint for my journey. A journey that is radically different to the one I envisioned 21 years ago.

When I received my first diagnosis back in 2002, I was told after the shock of the diagnosis I would deal with anger and depression. Those well meaning health professionals were wrong. As crazy as it may sound, I feel like this health journey is quite possibly one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Yes, the journey has not been easy. All the surgeries, treatments and hospital stays have not always been pleasant. It’s not the blueprint I would have written for my life. But it has made me really re-evaluate a lot of the things I once held close. It’s made me appreciate my family and friends so much more and realize that possessions mean nothing when you’re faced with the real possibility of dying. Most importantly, it has made me so very aware that the God I believe in and serve is so much bigger and so much closer to me than I ever could have imagined.

Throughout history God has had many names, one of them being Immanuel, meaning ‘God with us’. I have never known that to be more true than I have the last 21 years and counting. Sometimes I wonder why I was chosen to walk this journey. But then God blesses me with a beautiful interruption and I am reminded that God has a purpose for my journey.
I know that God’s ways are higher than my own and there has been immense good that has come from this crazy beautiful health journey. God has used my health journey to bring me and others closer to Him. To bring encouragement. As I walk through this journey, woven into the fabric of my life has been an understanding of what it means to suffer, and from that understanding has flown love, compassion and mercy.

During this journey, I have continuously leaned on Psalm 139:15-16, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 and Hebrews 13:5. I will let you research those scriptures on your own. While this health journey and everything that has come with it may seem chaotic, I know there is purpose in this crazy journey. Not my purpose, but the purpose of a God who holds the universe in His hands… who knew me from the moment I was conceived in the womb…. who has walked beside me every day of my life. I may not understand everything that has happened along this journey and maybe on this side of Heaven I never will, but I know that whatever happens, God is in control and he has promised he will never leave me or forsake me.
I don’t know about you, but that gives me a tremendous amount of confidence that everything is going to be alright.

Because of God’s goodness I will sing Hallelujah, Hallelujah. Singing Hallelujah because I am living a blessed life. Singing Hallelujah because my bride who loves me and is standing strong with me in this journey. Singing Hallelujah because I have amazing family and friends who continue to stand with Laura and I during this unending journey. Singing Hallelujah because God walks beside me and fights the battle for me. He commands his angels concerning me and they guard me. God is my fortress, my hiding place while the battle rages around me. He stands between me and my health issues that would seek to take my life and says to the sickness “no further… you will not harm him”.
Singing Hallelujah because I am still alive…. and hopefully will be for many years to come.

There are so many reasons to sing Hallelujah…. so many…. and as long as I have a heartbeat you will hear my Hallelujah.

Whatever you see in me that you think is good comes from Heaven.
It’s not my doing…. it’s His. ~OC

December 22, 2023 0

Count It All Joy

Today’s a new day! Do you sometimes have a hard time counting it all joy during the storms of life? I think we all have had those moments. You might be dealing with financial issues, employment issues, housing issues, family issues or health issues. How in the world could you find joy in all that pain and heartbreak?

One of the lessons I have learned during my crazy beautiful health journey, is that God will use these storms to help build our faith. Easy to say, not always easy to live out. Will we make the choice to stand firm in our faith when things look hopeless?

I’ve learned that my faith is like a muscle. The more I use it the stronger my faith grows. God continues to amaze me in ways I could never have imagined. God has used my health issues to strengthen my faith and to help others going through their own journey.

There have been some tough days during this journey and more to come, but I continue to see God providing my every need. I continue to be amazed.

I pray as you walk through the storms of life, you will experience God on a deeper level. That you will experience the beautiful joy, peace and love of God in every area of your life. ~OC

December 21, 2023 0

Purpose and Goal

Today’s a new day! People want to be successful in life. Very few people, if any set out to fail in life. While there is nothing wrong with being successful, we must understand our motivation for our various pursuits.

Whenever I start a new undertaking, I try and ask myself “What is my purpose?” What is my end goal?”
When we start a new adventure —a career, relationship, hobby it’s normal to ask ourselves: Is this going to work?
Is it going to be successful? But we have to be honest as to what we’re hoping to accomplish. I’m reminded of the words from 1 John 2:15-17, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” Powerful words.  
If my sole purpose is to gain my own fame and glory, then I am no different than the Pharisees of Jesus’ day.
Jesus told the Pharisees that they had their reward because they were most concerned over acquiring the praise of people. This does not mean God wants us to fail in our pursuits. No, God wants us to be successful in our endeavors, but we must always check our motives. What is motivating us? What is our purpose?

I believe it’s important to do a self inventory of our lives on a daily basis. A heart, mind and soul checkup. “What are we chasing after in life?” And more importantly “Why are we chasing it?”
If my life is all about me then I cannot shine the spotlight on God and give Him the glory.

If someone were to ask me what is my purpose in life and what is my end goal, this is what I would share. I want to connect with others who crave a deeper relationship with God, who truly want to live out the words we read in the Bible. People who truly want to serve others and be the hands and feet of Jesus. I want to embrace life with people who are not satisfied with being “okay” and “fine” every day, people who are willing to challenge the status quo. People who are willing to step out of their comfort zones to help change the world. People who truly want to draw closer to God.

As I have walked through this twenty plus year health battle, I have experienced the overflowing abundant life that Jesus came to give each of us. I would love to share this experience with others on our journey from earth to eternity. That’s my goal. My purpose in life. What about you? What are you pursuing and for whose glory are you aiming—yours or God’s? ~OC

December 20, 2023 0