And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

We believe sharing the ways God works in our lives increases our faith and helps us persevere. Email your story if you want it published here.

Jose Carbia, July 2005

The year 1999 was a year I will never forget…not only because of the birth of my beautiful daughter, Taylor, but because it was the year that I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, a cancer of the lymph nodes. After having been presented with the most beautiful gift from God, a child, I was also faced with the possibility of death.

It all started when I was lying in bed one evening. My neck was feeling very sore. As I rubbed my hands on my neck, I felt an unusual lump in my neck. I wasn't one to go to the doctor for every little bump and scratch, but something told me I needed to see the doctor first thing in the morning. After visiting the doctor, she began to show concern, and I could see in her face that she knew what it was. Without having a full confirmation, she prepared me for the worst. The word "cancer" came out of her mouth and she recommended further testing to make sure. Not having much knowledge about the disease, I quickly thought of death. I thought to myself, "My life has been cut short. I will never get to walk down the aisle with my daughter at her wedding." I wept that evening, asking God "Why me?" and "Why now?" Everything was going perfect and now this!

Let me explain something to you, God was there. As a witness, I stand here to tell you, "He is alive." Let me give you some evidences that He is indeed alive.

• My mother was flying in to vacation with us; we were living in Atlanta at the time. This was a trip planned months before. My mother is a nurse in Lake Mary and comes from a family of doctors. When I picked her up at the airport, she was not yet aware what had been transpiring. As soon as she got in the car at the airport, I broke the news to her as to what was happening. During the week that she was with me, she comforted Kim and me and prayed with us daily. She went with me to see the doctors and was there with me to prepare me for the outcome. I believe that my mother was sent to be with me and comfort me during the first week of learning what I was about to face. Coincidence? No - He is alive! "
• Within a few days, when this all began, I invited the elders to come into my home, as stated in James 5:13, and had them pray over me and anoint me with oil in the name of the Lord. At that moment, as I was kneeling down praying along with the elders, the Lord reached down to me and lifted me up. All of my fears and worries were in God's hands. I had never felt so peaceful and comfortable in my life. It was at that point that I changed my attitude about how I was going to face this cancer. I knew right then that God was with me all the way. You see, God had a plan for me. He was using me to be a witness to others, regardless of the outcome. I tell you this - He is alive! "
• Let me explain how he used me. The church we were attending in Atlanta, Southern Crescent Church of Christ, came together immediately to offer prayers, a 24 hr prayer chain was set up, I received cards made by the children at the church, I received cards from friends, family, our metro family, and brothers & sisters in Christ whom I had never met. God was touching everyone around me. I was an inspiration to everyone around me. I saw people light up when they saw me. It was as if they could see that God was with me all the way. - I tell you this -- He is alive!
• For years, my mother and her sister, Vivian, did not talk to each other. They were best friends as children, but grew apart. When they did see each other, they did not get along. They had stopped communicating with each other for the previous 20 years. When Vivian heard about my battle with cancer, something told her she had to call my mother. They talked weekly through my battle and became true best friends again. Four months later, my mother's sister, Vivian, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Unfortunately, she passed away two years ago, losing her fight to cancer; however, in being a witness to what I went through, she developed a strong faith in the Lord. My mother also had the opportunity to be close to her before she passed on. She left this earth in peace and knowing that God was with her all the way. Is this all coincidence? No - He is alive!

I'll be with you all the way
Linda R. Hall, April 28, 1991

Here's my message to you. I stand here today, cancer free, giving all the glory to God, and serving as a witness to you that He is alive! You see, God uses us in many different ways and his love flows through those around us, through the good times and the bad. Open your eyes and you will see He is there. No matter what you are going through, God provided help to us in the form of his Son, making peace with us. He is with us, all the way. Let me remind you of this verse from Romans 5:

Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.