Fulfilling one’s destiny

I spoke at an American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event that displayed this sign.

I had an interesting comment on Saturday’s post, Taking the “my” out of cancer. The visitor related how she was not afraid of cancer being a death sentence because of her spiritual beliefs that we are going to a better place.

I certainly know that we all are going to die someday, and I also believe that we are more than our bodies. But I also believe God does not put a desire in your heart without fulfilling it. My strongest desire is to be here to raise my daughter into adulthood and see my grandchildren if she chooses to have children. I believe this is my destiny.

I didn’t get married until I was 34. I wanted nothing more than to be married and have children. I had a lot of failed relationships, but I kept on trying. One friend told me that maybe God’s will for me was to be single all my life. I told him the same thing then: I knew in my heart getting married was my destiny because it was my strongest desire. Years later I married a wonderful man and now have a beautiful, amazing daughter.

It didn’t happen in my time; it happened in God’s time – the right time. Interestingly, I met Mike when I wasn’t looking. I was in a terrible spot. I just got laid off from my job after buying my first house. All I cared about was finding a job and making my house payments. I met him while networking at a professional meeting. He told me he’d help me find a job, but he had other intentions!

So I look back on that time and see how God worked in my life. I can trust that God is working the same way when it comes to my healing.

I look at how the people I’ve interviewed for my book never gave up. Their healing didn’t happen overnight. They suffered setbacks, and at times, it didn’t look like they would make it. But they beat the odds and are here today. I know if I have the same attitude, I’ll be around to fulfill my destiny.