There Are Good Things Here

In characteristic fashion, Katie Hubbard explained the ups and downs of a "cancer straightaway" by saying, "I focus on what I have not what I have lost". This was her secret when the currents of life were tumultuous and when they were relatively calm.

You and I can experience the same kind of life with God in Christ, but we can't simply will it into existence. We have to practice the same kind of Scripture meditation and deliberate thanksgiving she did. This will help us be able to say with greater gratitude to the Lord, "I focus on what I have, not what I have lost."

In this episode, Katie Hubbard signs off her final journal entry for May 2015 with the words "after we have suffered, things will be made right." That conviction didn't come from observing her circumstances, but from observing the ways of God in the book of Genesis. Joseph suffered many things through his life, but God exalted him in time. If I can nudge a very powerful statement from Dr. King in a slighty more biblical direction, Katie understood that "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward righteousness". After we have suffered for a little while, things will be made right.

In this episode, you also get a feel for Katie Hubbard, the mama bear ... the Christian mama bear living with cancer. She sent an email to our school principal asking (constructively) why families were limited to 5 tickets for the graduation ceremony. Let's just say that the principal responded positively and made all the tickets we needed available.

If you read the journals of Katie Hubbard without reference to the dates, you would think she was always seeing astonishing things from God's word. As was often the case, though, there had been a lapse of more than two weeks since Katie had last journaled. When she took up her pen again, it was to remark on her sorrow for a young man who had committed suicide and to marvel at the astonishing things from God's word

This week's episode features guest host, Rachel Hubbard, reading a letter that Katie wrote, encouraging her to smile at the future. Rachel, our third-born child, received this letter on her 8th grade retreat in 2015. Katie wrote to affirm and encourage her. There are some priceless memories from Rachel's early years, plus characteristic Katie-wisdom about life. Rachel also reads a letter that I wrote on the same occasion. Hearing these letters today brings tears to my eyes, but hearing Katie's words remind me, too, to smile at the future.

Katie Hubbard knew that her cancer was progressing, but she was able to face eternity with excitement. She also knew a thing or two about parenting through the ups and downs of life. This podcast will take you through two journal entries, one email update, and a blog entry that Katie wrote for moms in ministry. You'll find loads of Solomon-like wisdom from a well-seasoned mom living with cancer, and you'll discover secrets about how to face eternity with excitement.

Katie Hubbard knew how to spot God's providential care, not because her life was easy but because she kept looking toward him not her circumstances or herself. The title of this podcast, There Are Good Things Here, doesn't imply that life is easy but that God is good. God's providential care surrounds those who love him and have been called into his eternal, saving purposes.

Katie asked for a huge miracle of healing. God didn't grant her that request. Along the way, though, she learned to keep her focus on the good things he was doing by giving thanks. She also kept her attention on his word. The last words of her last journal entry in April 2015 were these: " Fear ye not, stand still and behold the salvation of the Lord, which He will shew you this day. For the Egyptians whom ye have seen this day, ye shall never see them again. The Lord shall fight for you, therefore hold you, your peace." (Exodus 14:13,14, KJV)

Through her journey with cancer, Katie Hubbard had to learn an art of stillness that deepened her faith in God. She believed that God himself was a strong rock that remained stable when all else was shifting or uncertain. From that place of stability, she offered one of her deepest prayers in her final year: "not my will but yours be done".

Join Katie as she reflects on this prayer of Jesus: it's not resignation but total trust. So deep had her own faith taken her through hours of stillness on the long road of cancer that she actually says, "If it weren't for Norman and the kids, I don't know if I would ask for healing."

What would you do with more time and mental space on your hands? Katie Hubbard lets you know where her heart was inclined when time was on her hands. She kept juggling many of the demands of life (Easter preparations, speaking at church, prom dress shopping), but when cancer forced her to slow down, she turned to Jesus.

May this brief episode bless and challenge you. What would you do with more time and mental space?

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1 Peter 1:3)

On Easter Sunday 2015, Katie Hubbard knew that she was dying. She also knew she had to stand in front of Twin City Bible Church (our home church in Illinois) and describe what it meant for her to have a living hope. She told about her cancer journey, pointed people to Jesus, and expressed her own confidence in the Lord.

Katie did not hope in a miracle cure, though we both prayed for a miracle and a cure. Instead, her living hope was anchored to the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. May her testimony inspire and challenge you.

Katie refers to her four kids in her testimony. This picture was taken in April 2015.Kayla, Katie, Tom, Joe, Norman, and Rachel

In this episode, Katie Hubbard talks about living life as a mom in ministry with no regrets. When you say 'yes' to Jesus, you often walk an unconventional road. However, as Katie makes clear in a journal entry and email, the way is filled with blessing.

You will appreciate Katie's characteristic humor in this podcast, along with her down to earth account about the challenges of motherhood. More than that, I hope you'll be inspired to keep saying 'yes' to the Lord. There may be no greater joy than to look on a life well-lived and say, "I know it's coming to an end, and I would do it all again." Are you living life with no regrets?