The Red Sea Before Me

Blog 9

The Red Sea Before Me

It has been over three months since the diagnosis of breast cancer. Shortly after returning, I decided to visit GMAA upon arrival from treatment in Mexico. I missed my students terribly, and I longed to see them. One of the most difficult things for me is having to stay away, from missing out on their learning experiences, but I know they are in good hands. God sent a very special person, Maria Leonor, to minister to His little ones. My classroom is a learning environment, but I see it more as a ministry to lead students and their parents to have a closer walk with God. I thank God for Ms. Maria and Mrs. Maceira for the many blessings and breakthroughs we have experienced in our classroom this year. We have seen very difficult students, through fasting and prayer, become transformed by God’s power.

It took a lot of courage to go to school that day. I wasn’t sure if I’d be overwhelmed, but the last thing I wanted was to put my life on hold. Life must go on, and I must take my focus off this disease, and keep my focus on God and what He wants me to do. As soon as I entered the school grounds I heard a chorus of “Mrs. Alonzo!” I was soon engulfed by children from everywhere showering me with love and hugs. Oh, how I felt God’s love for me in that moment, and I rejoiced in His Goodness.  Later as I walked the hallways, several students stopped to say they were following the blogs. A teacher mentioned that they sometimes discussed the blogs during their worship time. I thank God for allowing me to be an instrument He can use to let others know about His tender mercies and great love for us. Today in my worship time, God and I had a heart to heart conversion about continuing to write about these experiences as He has instructed me to do. Since I have been back I have only published one, even though I have two partially finished entries. At times, the disease has overwhelmed me, but Jehovah Jireh, my Provider, always sends inspiration to get me out of my slump.

Back to the school visit…….It was good to see Dr. Luis Cortes, the principal, on that visit. Thank you, Cortes, for always believing in me as a teacher, and most recently, as a fighter amidst trials. Cortes, your words “if anyone can beat this, it’s you” meant the world to me. Cortes and I chatted for a while about the treatment. I wasn’t sure when I could return….it all depends on the progress of the treatment. I had to wait three weeks for the dentretic cell vaccines I received in Mexico to strengthen. This vaccine-type therapy increases the patient’s own production of T and dendretic cells to specifically fight his/her own cancer. I have since started my protocol of three months of nutraceuticals which included supplements and some medications- even a low dose chemo.

 As we ended our conversation, he asked how I had enjoyed the book he had sent for me. Book? What book? And then I remembered......Before I had left for Mexico, he had mentioned a book that he said reminded him of the experience I was going through. I told him I’d love to borrow the book and read during my time in Mexico. Somehow, I never received the book then, and I had totally forgotten about it. It was never delivered, but within a few minutes I had it in my hands that day. What a book! As I spent the next day reading it, I knew that God, once again, has perfect timing! God knew that I needed to read that book, not during the trip, but right then. The message was exactly what I needed to hear to be encouraged. I have found strength in that book to press on like Job even in the trials. Since my return, dearest Amber and Ray who I had the pleasure of getting to know in Mexico, lost the battle with this dreadful and cursed disease. In the midst of all this pain and suffering, I sometimes for brief moments become overwhelmed. However, I choose to trust God no matter what trial I bear. In God times and in bad, I will praise him. He is and always will be in control. He has sent ongoing messages for me via close friends …….Healing will come.

This book is entitled “The Red Sea Rules,” by Robert J. Morgan, and is based on the experience of Exodus 14. It gives strategies for difficult times. I’ve chosen to discuss some of the points in the book, as I am sure it can be useful to all of us as we face our own Red Seas. The Bible says in Corinthians 10:11 that the experiences of the Israelites, both the Red Sea and the Wilderness trials, were given for our example. Therefore, we have much to learn from them.  

The first rule is to realize that God means for me to be right where I am. When the Israelites left Egypt, God himself led them to a point where the wide and deep Red Sea was before them, Pharaoh’s host was behind, with mountains encircled about them. God led them directly to the edge of the Red Sea. Exodus 13: 17-18 says that God did not lead them through the way of the Philistines even though that was shorter… but He led the people about, through the way of the wilderness towards the Red Sea.” As they traveled along, He showed them the way- He went ahead of them as a pillar of cloud to guide them, and as a pillar of fire at night. At no time did the presence of the Lord leave the Israelites.

The Lord knew EXACTLY where He was taking His children…just as He knows exactly where He is taking me. He hasn’t chosen the easy way for me. Would I prefer it? Oh yes! This path can be very painful and quite an inconvenience, but God is setting me up for a Divine miracle!

It may have seemed hopeless to them, but it is in these impossible moments that God alone is glorified. The Israelites were worried even after the many miracles they had just recently witnessed back in Egypt. However, worrying is putting questions marks where God has put periods. “God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 We need to accept that God has allowed us to be in these difficult situations for a reason. It is when we accept this that we can begin changing our worries into prayers of faith and praise. The same God who led you in will surely lead you out. Can you truly believe that with all your heart? If we can grasp this, it will change our whole perspective on our situation. This is the greatest lesson I must learn.  I must know that I am here according to His will, and “His will would never put me where His presence could not sustain me.” Jesus says, “in the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. Jesus makes no mistakes, and He never forsakes us nor forgets about us. I will continue to share some of the other rules listed in this book on the next blog.

So here is where I am today after all the struggles, setbacks, feelings of hopelessness, weakness, nausea, fatigue, pain, disappointments…..I’ve seen Him deliver and provide for me these past few months …… My God says “and there SHALL be a highway from Assyria for the remnant left of His people, as there was for Israel when they came up out of the land of Egypt.” Isaiah 11:16. My God IS ABLE. I have no idea how much time remains in my Red Sea travels. But this I know—God is leading me through on a path He sees and knows, and I can trust Him.

Pastor Laffit Cortes, your message to me today said “be strong and courageous- Joshua 1:9.” It is because I know whom I serve that I can indeed be strong and courageous. Now watch the Majesty and Power and Glory of Almighty God as He parts my Red Sea!!!! My Red Sea will part, and so will yours, for He is able! Praise God! As we end this year, I pray that we will give all our troubles to Him who knows the path through the deep waters. We need to know and trust the God we serve.

My Prayer:

Dear God, give me that genuineness of my faith, to serve You in good times, and in the bad, regardless of the Red Sea experience in my life. For You are ever by my side. Through Your Spirit, empower me to believe Your ways are perfect even though I may not understand. Keep me strong and courageous as I wait on You.

“Wait on the Lord; to be of good courage, And He will strengthen my heart: Wait I say on the Lord” Psalm 27: 14