Dear Second Grade Parents,
I write to you today in joy as I share this news with you. Some may not
understand the source of my joy so I will do my best to share some of my
thoughts with you. As we look at scripture we often see that at some point
in the lives of God’s believers we are called to give evidence of our faith.
Abraham gave early testimony to his faith as he showed his willingness to
unite his will in obedience to the will of God. His willingness to sacrifice
that which was most precious to him gave God living evidence of his faith and
trust. In Mary we see this same evidence, this same willingness of obedience
to God’s will, “Be it done unto me according to Thy word.” Mary gave her
fiat, her yes to the will of the Father though she admits she does not fully
understand it! Of course Christ is our best model as He gives evidence of
His faith by His touching words, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup
away from me: still, not my will but yours be done.”(Luke 22:42) Each
testimony to the loving faith and trust in our God included a sacrifice. I
always share with the children that for me a sacrifice is something hard to
do but you do it anyway out of love. We talk about how we don’t like to take
out the trash and that it is hard for us because it may be heavy or even
stinky! But, we do it anyway because we do it out of love; we do it out of
service to those we love. If we can bear these sacrifices, these small
little crosses well and with a good attitude, we are able to give to our
loving God evidence of how much we love Him and those He has given to us to
love us. It changes our attitude to one of gratitude, of thankfulness that
we are given the opportunity to serve those we are called to love. I have
been blessed to be given such an opportunity! It is in this opportunity to
give evidence to my loving Father of my love that I find joy in my news that
I share with you today.
As many of you know I have been absent for more than a few days this school
year. This is for a couple of reasons. I have been undergoing some tests
and surgical procedures to assess a few things. The end result is that I
have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I have taken note that my resistance
has been down and this helps explain the situation. I once heard someone
tell a badly scarred burn victim, “You know why God allowed your scars don’t
you? It is because He knew He could trust you to carry them.” I would like
to think the same might be true for me. Perhaps God is trusting me to carry
such a small cross because He trusts me to carry it with loving faith and
trust in Him. I will do my best to be worthy of such trust.
Scripture tells us that Christ learned obedience through the cross. In the
past I was not always sure what this meant. But in uniting our will to the
will of the Father as we carry our little crosses He entrusts to us, we are
living in obedience to His will for us. As of today His will for me is to
grab this grace of obedience, of living in His will with the joy that though
I may not understand it, I can give evidence that I love Him, that I trust
Him, and that I know I am His child and live in His loving care daily. I
have heard it said that things which are challenging for us are not to make
us bitter but better. They are to season our souls, to make us more
sensitive to the needs of others and to encourage us to become the arms of
Christ reaching out in compassion to those around us. If we want to grow in
Christ’s likeness we must follow in His steps, living always in obedience to
the will of the Father. In Romans 12:1, under the heading (in my Bible) “The
Duties of Christians”, “Sacrifice of Body and Mind”, we read: “I urge you
therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living
sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform
yourself to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you
may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Here is my opportunity to do just that! To offer a pleasing sacrifice in
accordance to God’s will for me.
I must admit that as this journey began I was wondering if there was some
specific purpose to which I could offer this little sacrifice. I prayed, I
waited, I wondered, but no answers came down in a banner for me. Having no
sign I just offered it for whatever God’s purpose might be, walking in hope
that by uniting my trifles to the holy wounds of Christ, it might increase in
graces for others. My care givers are in San Francisco and as I began this
process of diagnosis two important figures were introduced to me. The first
was a gentleman named Parrish and the doctor scheduled for the biopsy was Dr.
Priest. I quickly put the two together and had my answer as to the purpose
for which I could offer this little gift entrusted to me. It has been
offered for all parish priests, especially within our own diocese.
Can you share with me the joy I feel at being entrusted to give evidence of
my faith as I walk forward on the path laid out before me? I hope so, for it
is your path too. You will have to trust as well that God carries the
education of your children in His hands. My hope of course is that the
coming surgery, which will be October 28th, will remove the cancer and that
the lymph nodes will not show a spread. Please pray for my speedy recovery
and return the following week. I am in the best care possible and my
pathologist is Dr. Lios who was featured in Newsweek magazine for being the
best in his field in this area. See how good God is to me?!
Many of you have already offered me kind words, and loving support. I thank
God for you and I pray for you. I know that our principal, Mr. Garcia, has
offered an intention for me during Mass…what a blessing! It is because of
your cards, and generous gift of prayers that I am showered with the loving
manna of God’s mercy. Thank you. Some have graciously offered meals or to
run errands, I am so grateful for these gifts of your love for me. I am
truly blessed! At this time I am doing very well and have no special needs.
The greatest gift you can give to me at this time is the continued gift of
your children. Truly they are the happiness with which God surrounds me
daily! I am so thankful to be their teacher this year and I love each of
them very much. I will let you share this news with them this weekend and
then I will share it with them on Monday.
I know many have been anxious for this news and please be assured that I have
only now received all the results (from an additional procedure on Monday)
and have been as expedient as possible in getting this news to you. I hope
this answers for many any questions you may have. Thank you for your model
of compassionate understanding. Know that you are loved! Please contact me
or Mr. Garcia if you would like to discuss this further.
May God’s choicest blessings be upon you and all you love!
Linda Givens