Happy New Year, Happy New Year News

Happy New Year, Happy New Year News
Monday, January 9, 2023 by Cindy Sproles

I want a Happy New Year and Happy New Years News. To say that our family has been run through the wringer over the last three years would be…well…let’s say, a bit of an understatement. I call that “water under the bridge,” but it seemed one hard knock would end, and another would pop up. It was like, HEY, GIVE US A BREAK!

So, I didn’t say much about it – just kept it quiet because, you know, after a while, folks see one thing after another and start to dread seeing you come. So many had prayed us through Tim’s cancer, which seemed so much more important. Anything else could wait.

Until I went to the doctor for my yearly (now two years ago – yes, the dreaded 2020), and she grew concerned over an irregular heartbeat. I’ve had it all my life. In fact, funny story here…

I was flying back from Dallas, Texas, when our plane suddenly filled with smoke. The stewardess dashed to the back of the plane, shouting buckle up and prepare for a rush of air. Now, I don’t know about you, being thirty-thousand feet in the air and having the stewardess shout, “Be prepared for a rush of air,” didn’t exactly give me warm and fuzzy feelings. She “blew a vent,” so they said, and we felt a quiet air rush, but the rush took all the smoke with it. When I glanced out of my window, I saw flames climbing from under the belly of the plane. Yep, Ethel, this was it. Or so I thought.

The plane circled the Nashville airport (we’d made it that far before things went array), and below, I could see flashing blue and red lights lining the runway. We touched down with a thud, and driving alongside the plane was a fire truck. The driver gave me a thumbs-up. A THUMBS UP!

Anyway, once off the plane, EMTs grabbed us one by one and checked our vitals. The little guy who checked me listened numerous times to my heart before he said, “You know you have an irregular heart beat?”

I laughed hysterically and said, “Why not check me again in an hour after my heart settles down and actually starts to beat again?” Honestly, what could he expect after a hair-raising experience like POSSIBLE DEATH IN A PLANE CRASH?

Anyway, that rabbit trail was to show you humor. Arr. Arr.

I have great nurse practitioner who always errs on the side of caution. Had she not done so, we would not have Tim alive and well today. She signed me up for a heart CT scan to check the irregular heartbeat, and when the results came back, she informed me she didn’t expect what she found…a tiny aneurysm. Again, not the kind of news I wanted to hear. We’d lost my wonderful mother-in-law a few years earlier from an aortic aneurysm. The nurse practitioner sent my file to a cardiologist who didn’t seem very concerned but recommended I have a yearly CT to follow the progression.

I’ve done that for the last two years, and we saw the “tiny” aneurysm grow with each result.

This year, I put a few prayer warriors on call. You know I’m a worrier, and though this was not on my mind all the time, I had my moments of sheer terror. Those few prayer warriors went to their knees, and today, I got the result of my December CT scan. I want you to see it.

No aneurysm. I can only say that God has found favor over me again and for this day in time, I have NO ANEURYSM. I have to say. There were a few tears involved – a lot of praise and gratefulness.

We each live under numbered days. We never know when that time will end. I spoke to a friend before she passed away last year. I told her I wished I had words to give her comfort. She replied, “Momma Cindy, I can die today. So could you. None of us have a one-up on death.” She was right. The last email I got from her, she was hospitalized in Nashville. She wrote these few words. “Beloved – come.” And I knew what she meant.

I am grateful for the new year beginning with good news. As I look forward, and at what has been given to me by the Lord already, I can list the things for you.

Three books releasing this year:

No aneurysm.

A healthy husband.

The hope of a dream being fulfilled.

CHICKENS! (hey, the chicks are a blessing when eggs are $6.00 a doz.)

All that to say, sometimes I feel so inadequate and undeserving, yet God loves me just as I am. He sees me as valuable and knows I am a willing servant. Even so, the God of the universe sees me, hears my prayers, and calms my spirit. He grants me healing and hope.

There were three other major scans that same day, and all returned to me today with good news. I offer my thanksgiving prayers and show my gratitude to Him through my love. Am I perfect? Pppfffttt! No. But I am loved. And that is all that matters.

I would be blessed to know how God has found you valuable. How has He cared for you and answered your prayers? Even how He might make you wait. Would you share in the comments?

Photo 1 – Image by KristopherK and Pixabay

Photo two - Image by Anja from Pixabay

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Comments

Sue A. Fairchild From Pennsylvania At 1/10/2023 3:58:20 PM

So thankful for this news, my friend. God has certainly blessed you and those you have touched with your writing, love, and light.

Reply by: Cindy Sproles

Awww...thanks Sue. You are a dear friend.

Melody Morrison From Mooresville, NC At 1/10/2023 9:46:00 AM

I guess the ups and downs have been present for all your readers in varying degrees. Second round of COVID here like the song says, "a little bit louder and a little bit worse". So we had to postpone our family gathering to New Years. As God would have it, everyone could come. Best Christmas ever.

Reply by: Cindy Sproles

Oh no...get well soon. Oh Lord, comfort, heal and restore.

Jan Loyd From Dayton, OH At 1/10/2023 7:57:34 AM

Cindy, thanks for sharing God has blessed so much! My son Jeremy was 20 when he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 1998...Today he is healthy and the father of two wonderful sons. God opened the door to ACWC through you. I too have a small aortic aneurysm. Grace for each day also ... and prayer.

Reply by: Cindy Sproles

Isn't it a joy to physically see God's hand? So happy for your son's restoration and that you will be protected. Oh Lord, hear our prayers for Jan.

Beth Westcott From Otego, NY At 1/10/2023 7:36:40 AM

So glad for your good news, Cindy. Our God is awesome!

Reply by: Cindy Sproles

Indeed.

Cathy Mayfield From PA At 1/10/2023 6:32:00 AM

God has shown He values me through giving me friends like you. I'm so grateful for the clear scans. I well know the fears associated with waiting on medical news. God bless you, Tim, and the rest of your family with a healthy year. Love ya!