When this day came I thought I would have something more profound to say. Actually, not much thought has gone into it, but as the one year anniversary of my major Cancer surgery approached I assumed there would be some sort of divine inspiration or maybe a specific feeling I would have as I looked back on a significant day in my life. One year ago today my oncologist removed more than most of my insides and worked for over eight hours to eradicate my body of Cancer that clung to me tightly.
On December 10th, 2012, the fight began, and a new chapter of life with Cancer was opened. I am thankful a year ago I did not know how the chapter would be written. Mostly because of the old adage "had I known then what I know now".. Lets just say had I known then what I know now another side of Tarah may have begun this battle, and on the wrong foot. More importantly I am thankful I did not understand what this year would hold, because of the pleasantry in seeing how evil can be used for good.
After being diagnosed with Cancer, or any major disappointment in life, it's hard to be reminded of a world where evil seems so powerful. We've all been there, felt like we were at the losing end of a battle against darkness and indescribable feelings of helplessness, pain, sadness and maybe even anger commence, doing their best to consume you. I give full credit for overcoming, or at least not backing down to, Cancer to God, and the support that has graciously surrounded me. After my diagnosis and throughout this Cancer journey I have received cards, messages, and phone calls assuring me people were praying for me, and reminding me of the power of God's love. At some point in the journey I truly started to feel the obvious strength and power that came from the prayers I was receiving, and a time came where I felt I was called to use that power to spread God's love, which has led to the ministry of Tenaciously Teal. T. Teal, I am proud to say blossomed out of darkness, and I hope is a shining example of the good that can come from a desolate situation.
In examining my Cancer journey people may ask, "Why didn't your God stop you from having Cancer?" This is a tough question, and if I am being honest one I have asked myself. If I was pressed to answer I would say, from the beginning we've all been given the ability to make our own choices, good and bad, and with the freedom of choice comes the consequence of evil in this world. On paper freedom of choice with the potential for evil or Cancer or suicide or depression or murder seems to be a hefty price for the simplicity of choice, however, with choice good and love shine more brightly, and the only way good can truly be in us and shine through us is if we freely choose it over all else. So, in retrospect I don't know specifically why God didn't stop me from having Cancer, but His good, His Light, and His Love shine more brightly because of it.
