Walking The Walk

 As Christians we rightfully make bold claims. Our Father created the entire universe, all of the earth, then decided to create us, AND to make us in His image. Sure, we live in an imperfect world but He is mightier than the fallen state of affairs. To prove it He sent His son to ultimately fix what we so horribly broke. Our identity in Christ also allows a certain boldness you don't typically find in the average non-believer or other religious follower. He overcame death that we might live. He gives us a new identity that we can approach the throne of God like children rather than broken beggars riddled with sin.

But what happens when our boldness is challenged and life drops an atomic bomb on us? Do we fold and run? Do we become consumed with anxiety and resentment? Do we just talk the talk or can we actually walk the walk? Those questions are hard for me to answer personally and quite honestly I am not inviting a bomb to land on my lap as a means of testing. However, that exact kind of thing happened to Eleanor Nebe. On January 31st a post appeared on her Facebook page stating, "As I face fighting cancer once again, I know my God will be with me all the way giving me the strength, faith, and healing. I will live and not die!"

Taking a cruise to prepare for battling cancer

You read that correctly. This is not her first but second rodeo with cancer and a completely different kind at that. Yet she remained positive, encouraging, and bold in her claims. Skeptics might say, Well that was early on. Can she keep that kind of resolve?  Eleanor is not one to challenge like that. She is about the mightiest sister in Christ I can imagine. Sure, there were moments of weakness. Moments of tears and emotions. She admits as much in several posts that she takes the time to cry out and even scream. But then she lets the peace that surpasses understanding wash over her and continues fighting on. Almost every cancer update showed a photo of her bright smiling face, explaining what treatment she was on along with an inspirational Bible verse.

Treatment 3 with Bible verse from 2nd Corinthians 5:7

Some might be tempted to make their social media all about their struggle and fight but Eleanor includes more about her family and their accomplishments than updates about herself. One post might be about a grandson graduating, while another might be about a different grandchild making it to the youth baseball World Series. Still another posts dotes on the men in her life that she appreciates on Fathers Day. Her cancer related posts were just part of a tapestry of updates instead of an all-consuming focus. And every update came with encouragement to others, instead of adopting a "poor me" mentality that no one would blame her for embracing. 

Treatment 10 with Bible verse from Colossians 3:2

With a host of prayer warriors behind her, eight months into the battle and finalizing chemo treatment number 10, Eleanor teased us with a promise of a PET scan update on 8/2. As of nine hours ago, this wonderful update was posted allowing us to share in the victory: 

As the statement reads, there is more work yet to be done. There are precautions that still need to be taken. Determining what is scar tissue and what is not will continue to be monitored. However, this is a glorious declaration of a battle won with a great deal of promise on the horizon. Battered and bruised this warrior in Christ is continuing to soldier on and conquer as she does. She has no idea this article is being written about her and I know the only concern she might have is that God get all the glory and that be primarily where we all put our focus as we witness her on this journey. I can do that and I gladly invite you to do the same.