May 31st, 2012
by Sheree
Sifted
It feels great to finally be feeling well enough to blog again! Here’s what’s on my mind today:
Three and a half years ago I made a bold life change when I walked away from a thirty year sucesssful career to follow what I knew was the call of God on my life to work in fulltime ministry. It was wonderful! I felt like I was doing what I was born to do. Over these three years I’ve seen some amazing accomplishments that can only be credited to God. I’ve also had plenty of opportunity to be discouraged and experience failure; both of which I’ve since learned are necessary in creating a good leader- which of coarse was what I was trying to become.
After three years in fulltime ministry I was well on my way, working as hard as I ever had and finally beginning to feel the part. But there was something nagging me that I hadn’t mentioned to anyone except my husband and a few close friends. You see… when I excepted the position as Women’s Ministry Director of Fellowship Bible Church I distinctly heard the Lord say “Three Years”. While I was unsure what the three years meant I was very sure it would be significant and often wondered what God was going to do when I finally hit the three year mark.
Over the years I came up with several options I hoped He would bring on my third year annivesary; all involving increase, promotion or success in ministry. So, you can imagine my excitement as the approach of the three year mark came this past January. As the New Year rang in, I pressed in to God spending much time in prayer and seeking His answer to this mystery. For a little more than two weeks I prayed and heard nothing. Then, on Janurary 18th, 2012 I was diagnosed with throat cancer. It was as if I could hear into the heavens and hear Satan asking to sift me as wheat. Not exactly the three year anniversay present I was looking for.
The past five and a half months have proved to be the hardest thing I have ever had to go through. I truly know what it feels like to be pressed on every side, crushed, perplexed, persecuted, in complete despair and feel abandoned by God. It has taken everything in me to not become bitter as I’ve held on to my faith by sometimes a thin thread. I’ve spent countless nights crying out to God and wondering why He wouldn’t come to my rescue. (Just keeping it real)
On many occassions my husband had to remind me of the goodness of God’s presence all around us. From the countless meals, cards, and prayers that were lifted up for us by so many of you we saw God’s love in action.
Today my treatment is finished and I am growing stronger every day. In reflection of what I’ve been through I can see that God never left me.
I still don’t understand why God allows Satan to sift us, but I do know that when He does it is for our good and His ultimate plan to redeem the world. As I look at Job and Peter I see that both made it through the sifting process and went on to be very productive for the Kingdom of God.
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10
While I would have never asked to go through such pain I consider it a priveledge to share in the sufferings of Christ and can’t wait to see how God is going to use this for my good and His Kingdom.
Whatever I thought in the past about how God was going to use me has now been stripped away. He has taught me to take life one day at a time letting Him have total control of my life. Loving Him and loving those He puts in my path is all I’m expected to do.
Thank you for your continued prayer as I try to regain my strength so that I can get back to work and fulfill the call of God on my life.
Sheree
May 31, 2012 at 12:31 pm, Lynn Mercer said:
God obviously hands out wisdom in bunches as he takes you through the sifting process. So well said. Thank you for sharing your heart. Loving Him and loving those he puts in our path. Bingo!! Love you, Lynn
May 31, 2012 at 12:37 pm, Mary said:
Wow, what a surprise. It will be interesting to see where God takes you from here. Whatever it may be, it will be an exciting adventure in learning to walk in faith as Abraham did. I prayed for that one time and wonder “what was I thinking!!!” LOL
Looking forward to hearing more from you and see you again in person.
Mary
May 31, 2012 at 12:57 pm, Dee goar said:
It is such a blessing to hear that you are feeling better. So many prayers have been answered and so many are yet to be answered but I have full confidence that you will always be a walking example of answered prayer. Love, Dee
May 31, 2012 at 12:59 pm, Kim MacInnis said:
Sheree, I’ve been waiting to read a post such as this from you….. I’m so thankful for you “being real” with us. You have inspired me….You continue to be in my prayers! Love you!
May 31, 2012 at 1:12 pm, Kelly said:
Hey Beautiful! It is so good to “hear” from you! I know that I cannot even begin to imagine all that you have been through, but like you, I am excited to see what our Saviour is doing in the “upper story”. I’m (finally) learning that everything we go through here on earth, has HIS thread of redemption sewn through it, and when we are wiling, it will ALL bring glory to His name.
I miss you, my thoughts and prayers are with you, and I can’t wait to see you (very soon!).
Love you!
Kelly
May 31, 2012 at 1:37 pm, dave and Pat Greene said:
Delighted you are feeling better. Our LORD does make things difficult sometimes. My wife Pat has Parkinson disease with demenia and we wait for a treatment developed by our MASTER. Life is not meant to be easy.Our love to you.
May 31, 2012 at 4:13 pm, Melody said:
I am thrilled that you are feeling well enough to blog! I just hope you know what a BIG impact you have had on the lives of many women at Fellowship including mine. I continue to work hard in my business because through your mentoring program I came to believe that God would use it and me to impact lives for Christ in the Roswell area. Because of your influence I accepted the call of Stephen’s Ministry on my life that I know is going to be instrumental in that as well. I am just one of the people who have been positively motivated by you to put one foot in front of the other and tell Satan to “sift on”! Love you sister!
May 31, 2012 at 4:19 pm, Lucy said:
So glad to see you are feeling well enough to write again. Love your authenticity…it does encourage us to keep the faith even in the worst of times. May the Lord continue to strengthen you everyday in mind, body and spirit. Praying for you. Love, Lucy
May 31, 2012 at 9:53 pm, M Spinks said:
I was praying for you the other day and wondering how you were. Such a timely email. Thanks for your willingness to mentor those of us that follow your blog.
June 01, 2012 at 12:01 am, Vena said:
It was SO great to see you back at church and to read your post. Can’t wait to see what jewels come forth through “the sifting” process. Like panning for gold….you know they’re in there, just waiting to be discovered!!
June 01, 2012 at 5:15 pm, The Top Leadership Posts I Read The Week Of May 28th | Brian Dodd On Leadership said:
[...] Sifted by Sheree DeCouto. Sheree is the wonderful Women’s Ministry Director of my home church Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, GA. Her posts always move me as she has chronicled her battle with cancer. [...]
June 04, 2012 at 1:34 pm, Rhonda Drye said:
I am so glad you are feeling better. You are a gift and we are honored to know you and “experience” this season with and through you. Still inspiring the girl next door……..:-)
Love and hugs,
Rhonda