Lauri, Age 51: Rejoicing in Suffering

  Lauri remembers sitting on a hilltop chatting with God as a thirteen-year-old girl.  Not having any friends at school, God became her “best buddy.”  She shared her joys and disappointments with Him.  Lauri even told Him jokes, saying things like, “God, since You’ve been busy helping people all day, let me lighten things up for You.”

   By adulthood, her talks with God subsided.  As the struggles of daily life took over, Lauri became very disgruntled and unhappy.  She used to think, When will I get out of financial debt?  Why can’t my kids be motivated like the neighbor kids?  It sure would be nice to have new carpet.  Always wishing her circumstances were different or better somehow, Lauri’s attitude and thoughts became quite negative.  Not praying or asking God for help making decisions led to one bad choice after another.

   On January 12, 2008, her benign, daily struggles fell into the background -- Lauri was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of forty-eight. From the beginning, obstacle after obstacle blocked her journey. She felt like she was on an emotional rollercoaster with an undetermined end point.  Because she had several lumps, the doctors insisted on a radical mastectomy.  Finally, the long anticipated day arrived: April 2.  A scan taken the day prior showed no lymph involvement but, after surgery, Lauri was told ...