Let it Be

"Let it be". Those were the first words I heard in my head after hanging up with the doctor today.
"I just spoke with the pathologist and it's not good news," he had said.
And so it was that I was told this afternoon at about 1:31 p.m. that I have breast cancer.
I've been singing the Beatles song in my head since then. With the phrase and the song running through my mind I decided it might be interesting to look up the story behind the song.  Apparently Paul McCartney was going through an anxious time in his life.  One night he had a dream in which his mother, Mary, appeared to him to help calm him.  She had died 10 years earlier of cancer.  "Let it be" were her words of comfort.  

"Let it be", in the first half of the song, means to relax, let go, don't worry about your troubles, accept the bad things that happen.

I'm still in shock and not so sure I can simply relax right now.  I know there is much more information that needs to be gathered.  We don't know the type or the stage of the cancer.  We hope to learn more very soon so we can begin to make decisions for care and treatment.

Even after reading the story behind the song, I still wondered "why the phrase 'let it be'?" I tried to think of anywhere else I may have heard that phrase and came up with the following scripture:

Luke 1:35-38 (NASB)
35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. 36 And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary, in faith, declared to the angel Gabriel "let it be done to me according to your word." She was a willing servant of God.  Bearing another baby boy would be a welcomed and joyous task compared to what lies before me.  But when I looked at this verse again and considered it for myself, it was not "let it be" that stood out like a neon sign, it was the phrase: "For NOTHING will be impossible with God."

THAT is what I needed to hear. Yes, "let it be", remain calm, don't be anxious. But even more so, at this moment, "Nothing will be impossible with God."  I keep reminding myself of this truth as I consider my 4 small children, my husband, my house, my two jobs...it seems overwhelming in and of itself but to add cancer to that mix feels "impossible". Yet I know that with God all things are possible. I will rest in that tonight.

I want to thank you for all of the prayers and support you've given me so early on in this process.  I deeply appreciate all of the care and concern that has been shown me.  Please keep praying, especially for wisdom as we move forward, receive more information and are faced with decisions for my care. Blessings and peace be yours.