Part 2: Falling Down On The Job

Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

Proverbs 12:25

We women don’t need any extra weight, but worry can sure pile it on to our tender spirits. I’m using the same verse two days in a row because it perfectly fits the rest of the story.

On Mastectomy Day, I told Kali that pretty soon I was going to look funny with no hair, but she and I were going to celebrate because no hair meant the chemotherapy was killing the bad cells as well as the good ones. I would have to look worse before I got better! I also made wig shopping a fun affair and let her pick out one for me. (She chose one totally opposite of my short hair, and I looked like a plain Shania Twain!) In summer, the wigs were hot, so bandanas ended up being my pretty personal headgear choice.

I told Kali she had one job: not to worry! Months later, during my rigorous chemo schedule, God gave me an opportunity to take a special trip with my husband, but it meant Kali would fly by herself to be with my sweet sister, Shawn, in New Mexico. I was going back and forth about taking the trip because I worried about getting sick on the plane and worried about Kali flying alone for the first time.

I did decide to go, although I was still reluctant. Then God used a set of circumstances to confirm this was the right thing to do. I literally had my chemotherapy, then drove straight to the airport with my daughter. (Mark was already at our destination, waiting for my arrival.) When Kali had to proceed to concourse B and I had to go to concourse A, I fell apart in the airport! I started to panic—my heart was racing and tears began welling up!

“Mommy, what’s wrong?”

“I’m having a harder time trusting God with you getting on that plane than I ever did having cancer!”

She looked me square in the eye and said, “Mommy, you have one job—not to worry!” I had fallen down on the job, but the wisdom of God was ringing in my ears. It was the closest I have ever come to audibly hearing the voice of God. He boomed His “no worries” message through Kali’s unexpected reminder.

Do not worry! Live this precious life lesson daily.