Mom Diaries: Christmas! Намуна

El Roi

As you read in yesterday's devotion, a week before Christmas 2019, Irma Arricivita underwent a mastectomy as part of the treatment for her breast cancer diagnosis. She had eight cycles of chemotherapy and 25 radiation sessions lined up right after. Treatment was scheduled to finish mid-2020. 

Here's how it really unfolded:

"All was well with the world. I was sincerely undergoing my treatment sessions and living through the side effects of chemotherapy drugs. While also running our household, driving my sons to school, leading a Bible study group for fellow wives and mothers, among other things. The side effects were dreadful, but I was powering through. 

March came and people were asked to wear masks when outdoors because of COVID-19 virus. As an immunocompromised individual, I was glad I was not the only one who had to wear masks. 

Then COVID-19 was officially declared a pandemic. My sons could not return to school and had to shift to online learning. My husband who works for a hotel had to shut it down, and like most people had to work from home. On the surface of it, we were all cooped up at our two-bedroom apartment. 

But it was what I needed at that time! I was halfway through my chemotherapy and radiation sessions, and I felt more tired and weaker than usual. 

If it were a normal year, we would have struggled with it all: with my husband’s long hours at work and frequent travels, and our boys' full schedule at school.

 I did not have had the energy to drive our sons to school but because of the lockdown, now I oversaw my son's lessons from the bed.

When I needed to lie down and rest, my husband was home to look after the boys and me. 

When I lost all my hair, no one had to see it. 

God had a way of making the COVID-19 situation work to my advantage. He carried me through treatment and the pandemic with so much grace. All I needed to do was trust Him."

All of us have reached the end of this year with different stories and experiences. 

Maybe this year you did not go through a life-threatening recuperation, or maybe you did lose a loved one, lost an important source of income, or have had your heart broken.

But if you're reading this, you are alive, you have a smartphone, you have electricity and a wifi connection, etc.

As you hang that tinsel, remember He likes what He sees.

The God of Christmas is watching you and watching over you.

He is El Roi.