Our Story
Hi, I'm Raina
Our worlds were turned upside down just days before my 33rd birthday. We found out that I had stage 4 colon cancer, a golfball-sized mass in my colon and many lesions on my liver. We cried, “Why, Lord?” – My precious family; Dustin, Deacon-7, Judah-4, Titus-1.
BUT, we have hope! God is moving in this! He is moving in and through all that know me and even those who don’t. We feel his presence. We feel his love. He is being glorified! We are shouting his praise! We are putting on his armor for this battle!
But, perhaps I should rephrase that because, if we’re being honest, the “battle” metaphor doesn’t work for me. Instead, God has given me the image of a race to symbolize this particular season of my life.
One verse in the bible never seems to leave my mind: Hebrews 12:1-3 “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfector of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right had of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Friends, the Bible teach that we are all running the race. All of us! Not just those of us with cancer… every single one of us! So let me rephrase what I said earlier:
“As most of you know, I am currently running with perseverance the race marked out for me, in all of its trials and difficulties and joys.”