From glory to glory...

Back in 1986, I was introduced to a Bible verse by a dear friend from Portugal. He said this was one of his favorite verses - and soon thereafter, it became one of my favorites as well. It is 2 Corinthians 3:18.

The New International Version of the Bible says this: And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory.

The King James Version uses the term "from glory to glory."
I like that phrase - from glory to glory.

Earlier today, my dear friend, Lisa, asked me what time my "transformation" was on Friday.
I love, love, love that word much more than "surgery," Lisa - transformation.

I am being transformed from glory to glory.

It is horrible, outrageous, and unfathomable (another word given to me by Lisa) to think that part of my spiritual transformation into the image of the Lord I love and the woman I am meant to be involves such a radical physical transformation.

This is sooooooooo not the story line I had laid out before me.
This is not the plot twist I would have thrown in if I were writing the script of my life.
This is not a punishment that I would mete out to the worst of my enemies -
not that I have any enemies.

But this is my story. This is the story of my life.
This is my journey, my camino, my way.
I move into it with reverence, with tears, with sadness, with sorrow,
but also with hope, with expectation, with anticipation,
and with peace that truly surpasses all my understanding.
I am moving forward in healing. Moving forward in life.

I spent a lot of time over the past few days asking if this cup could pass from me.
Pleading with God to wake me up from this nightmare.
Recognizing that, indeed, this is my story.
Grateful that this too shall pass.
These tears won't flow always.
I have a hope. I have a future. I have a destiny that is yet awaiting me.

The next phase in this journey of transformation will begin at 7 am on Friday morning.
From glory to glory...