God is doing a thing. Twelve years ago, on this day, I was hospitalized. I could no longer walk. I had a fever of 102° and weighed less than a 100lbs–this photo is pretty much the only picture I have from that time. After weeks of extensive testing, which included an invasive bone marrow biopsy, I eventually received a Stage 3 cancer diagnosis for Hodgkins Lymphoma–a blood cancer.

I truly didn’t know if I was going to make it out of the hospital, let alone survive chemotherapy, so April 26th is a welcomed reminder of everything lost and gained on this journey.

It is also a reminder of how deep, intentional, and ridiculous God’s timing can be. To literally be consumed by a cancer–eaten alive–and only receive a Stage 3 diagnosis – I can’t help but see the divinity of it all. What kept me from receiving a Stage 4 diagnosis was that the cancer did NOT get into my bone marrow–a blood cancer that migrated all over my body somehow, someway did NOT get into my blood filtration system (my bone marrow).

Admittedly, in my present season of life, the back to back to back…to back hits keep coming. So, on this anniversary, I tap into what I already know to be true: I will survive. I will heal. And I will thrive. Because God is doing a thing and my path, every single second of it, is covered in D.I.R.T.–Deep Intentional Ridiculous Timing.

This is my offering–with deep gratitude.

-SJ-

Do you enjoy reading stories like this? I am currently working on developing Agency, a community archive based in Atlanta that aims to digitally house the stories of people affected by homelessness. I would like to invite you to share this post with your social communities and subscribe below to receive updates. Also, I welcome contributions to my Buy Me A Coffee Campaign. Thank you for the support!