The Countertops

I look to the countertops where all my products go,
A bathroom filled with bobby pins, hair spray, mousse, and combs.
These items no longer there, and suddenly filled with these:
Thermometer and trackers; Bottles of meds from pharmacies.

The cell phone apps you’d see if you were to look over my shoulders,
Were photo filter apps and social media folders.
And now if you’d take a look, the first things that you’d see
Are healthcare apps and research; And insurance policies.

Inside the refrigerator, you would quickly come to greet
Leftover pizza, fried foods, and lots of processed meat.
But now with my health declining and the changes that it brings,
You’ll see fresh meats and vegetables; And other organic things.

If you could hear phone conversations, if you were a fly upon my wall,
You’d hear they are different from before, they are not the same at all.
They used to consist of travel plans or events for a busy night.
Now discussions are filled with words of sickness; Healing and hospital life.

Everything is changing, nothing seems to be the same.
The only familiarity I have is writing down my name.
I make my way to bed because it’s hard to keep up and understand.
And then I feel Love grab me by the hand.

I look upon my nightstand and it brings me slight perplexion.
It has remained the same, with only one exception:
The Bible sitting there, that would often collect dust,
Is now on top of all my books and opened as a “reading must”.

It’s amazing the draw to Jesus that trial often brings.
Sometimes we draw closest to God through the toughest things.
He provides joy amidst the changes, and I can see a smile crack:
This countertop brings hope; In Christ I will never lack.

 

I wrote this poem in a very difficult week of chemo (5 weeks into treatment). I found that my life had changed drastically. But I also found that God had not changed at all. It was beyond what I could handle, but God was there every step of the way for me.

 

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”‭‭ -Isaiah‬ ‭43:2‬

 

My prayer for you today is when you find your circumstances changing or becoming too difficult to handle, that you know God will be your ever-present help in trouble and his love for you is unchanging, unwavering, and unconditional.

 

 

Fighters, Survivors, and Supporters, I would be overjoyed to hear from you. Please share your story, experiences, and/or thoughts in the comments section below or send me an email {connect@sparklysurvivor.com}. I would love to hear from you and talk to you.

Sparkle on,
Nicole Body

 

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