Patience, My Dear!

INTRODUCTION: Our guest writer today, Maggie Cole, was diagnosed with AML (an aggressive form of Leukemia) in July of this year and has graciously agreed to share a bit of her story with us. At only 24-years old, Maggie is not only an inspiration, but she is also a beautiful example of what it looks like to put faith, hope, trust, and patience into action.

“Patience, my dear!” These are the soothing words of my favorite doctor. He lights up my room with his smile and laughter. He always leaves me feeling better. “Patience, my dear,” is what I needed to hear.

It is hard to wait for my counts to recover so that I can go home. It is hard to wait for this to all be over. It is overwhelming to think of the months of chemo ahead. Perhaps that is why my doctor always says, “Patience, my dear!” He knows the struggle in the times of waiting. God also knows the importance of patience and waiting on HIM. I have been reminded of that in scripture lately:

“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word, I put my hope” (Psalm 130:5).

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14).

My husband was singing a worship song last night without knowing my struggles through the day. The name of the song he was singing was “Wait on You” by my favorite worship group, Maverick City. The lyrics are a great reminder:

I’m gonna wait on You

I’ve tasted your goodness

I’ll trust in Your promise

I’m gonna wait on You

So, while I wait on the Lord to heal my body and get my counts up enough to home, I have to remind myself of how He has been faithful in the past. I have to remind myself of the small and big victories He has already done in me. I have to remind myself of the promises He has yet to fulfill. I read over my grateful journal to see how far I have come since being diagnosed with AML. It gives me hope to wait on Him, because I know I will be adding more victories.

I am taking one day at a time and listening to my doctor to have patience as I wait for the words, “You can go home, my dear.” I also have this verse written on the wall:

“And let us run with perseverance the race marked for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

I am fixing my eyes on the prize, while I wait!