“I used to think the opposite of control is chaos. But it’s not. The opposite of control is surrender.”
August 2016 is a month that I will never forget. It changed the course of my entire life and my family's life. About a year ago, my father in-law was being rushed to have emergency brain surgery when hours before he and his wife were enjoying a casual movie, his favorite thing to do to relax and get away from life's demands.
Stress and chaos hit our family headless when our goodbyes to our Pastor, father, and grandfather, was watching him being wheeled out for emergency brain surgery, his body in full convulsions and unconscious. The doctors said he would not make it - straight chaos. It literally felt like it cracked our family in half. We were looking to God to calm the storm - for a sheer miracle; He did. About two days after surgery, the doctors said he might wake up. He may not be able to speak and communicate. He may be immobile.
Two days after the surgery, he woke up, he communicated, and he was mobile, moving his toes and hands. God gave us our miracle that we were hoping and praying for. Months pass by, and we realize as a family that we need each other more than ever. Long story short, we were all back under one roof - serving, loving, caring, and growing together.
We are on the brink of it being a year since Pastor Freddie's emergency brain surgery, and we are yet again embarking on a season that is new. God has taught so much in this last season of the Cancio's being under one roof.
I have learned what it means to be a team-player in a house of 7 people.I learned the essence of what it truly means to selflessly serve. I learned the art of stretching food to feed a hungry family. I have learned to be patient and wait my turn to take showers and or even use the washer and dryer. I have learned to love better.
The greatest lesson I have learned is the power of patiently waiting on God's promise. As much as I knew Michael and I were being obedient with moving back with his family during this tough season of Pastor Freddie's physical recovery, There was still a silent yearning and desire for my own home - a space to call my own. There were times fitting a 3 bedroom town-home into 1 bedroom was extremely tough.
Letting go of the old and letting in the new was my mantra.
Hebrews 6:10-11 brought rest in my heart that God would see Michael and I through this season: "God is not unjust; he will not forget your word and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized".
I could honestly say looking back that Michael, my husband, and I strove with all that we are to not grow weary in doing good by loving our family fearlessly with all that we have: finances, time, work, cooking, cleaning, forgiving, healing, loving.
There is a reason why this blog has taken so long to post! Michael and I moved out September 1st to our new home and a few weeks later, the Cancio family moved to a new home as well. We have been in the process of moving, settling, and shifting for our new seasons, and it has been amazing seeing how God made a way for all of us.
I wanted to take the time and thank family, friends, loved ones that have helped me stay anchored to God's promise even when I felt like I was being to waver and untether myself. I could not have done it without you all.
Now, it is on to the next journey, next season.
“Your words and promises are a hope - like an anchor that tethers my soul, firm and secure.”