Walk with Larissa Kwong Abazia, Vice Moderator of the 221st General Assembly, as she lives through cancer. This and other reflections will appear on the web page "Each New Day."
“Certainly the faithful love of the LORD has not ended; certainly God’s compassion isn’t through! They are renewed every morning. Great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3: 22–23)
I’ve always been moved by the chorus of the hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” where we are reminded of the gift of each new day, “Morning by morning, new mercies I see. …” I have always found myself wondering if that’s truly possible; if I am actually capable of seeing each day full of newness unfolding right before my eyes. What a blessing! What a joy! What a divinely challenging way to see Creation around us!
I am struck even more so by these verses and hymn as I face my diagnosis with breast cancer. The prognosis is good and I have already started chemotherapy as the first measure in this healing process. There is also surgery and treatments to face in the future as well. But I find myself taking things one step at a time, getting more attune to the needs of my body and the surprises that each new day may bring.
It is my hope that this series will be a way to share the stories that become a part of this journey and the gifts that come with the rising of every morning sun. I’ll try to write as regularly as I can, post photos, and welcome the comments/prayers that you may add. The most powerful part of the experience thus far has been the outpouring of thoughts and prayers from people all across the country. Thank you for lifting me up.