I slept in a separate bedroom from my wife last night. No we didn’t have a fight. I am still in radioactive isolation and no I don’t glow in the dark. (See yesterday’s blog Watchout! I’m radioactive!) This was a first. Never in over 40 years of marriage have we slept in separate bedrooms under the same roof. That my friend, is a testimony to the grace of God in being the reconciler in our marriage, and not to any merit of mine.
This whole cancer thing has driven home to me like nothing before the counter intuitive ways of God. (Isaiah 55:9) See If life is short, how should I live? and Do not waste your troubles. God’s economy is the opposite of the world’s. He turns foolishness into wisdom, weakness into strength and what others despise into a treasure. (1 Corinthians 1:25-29)
How many times do beginning circumstances or choices which forecast bad endings unfold before us in ways that turn out for our good and not for evil? (Romans 8:28) Why just driving in morning rush hour traffic proves that. Jesus said “the first will be last and the last will be first.” Right? I should have been cued to that verse the first of two mornings this past week when I had to drive to medical appointments.
Not wanting to be late I chose the fast passing lane and a mile later ended up frustrated as I watched the cars in what should have been slower lanes race by me. The next day I decided to try the slow lane and six miles later it proved to be the fastest by far. How does that work? I don’t know, but like God’s ways, I don’t have to understand it, just cooperate with it.
When it comes to understanding God’s ways, more and more my advise is don’t even try. Trying to figure things out just gets in the way. Our puny minds only make things worse. It is really about trusting Him. Trust is not based on what we see, don’t see, understand or don’t understand. It is about believing God is in control and ultimately has a good ending planned.
MY SISTER’S CAT, CHICKEN, IS IN THE LAST STAGES OF SAYING GOODBYE TO THIS WORLD AND ENTERING INTO THE REALM OF ETERNITY. SHE WAS FOUND BY A MAN WHO WORKED ON CITY HALLS ELEVATORS WHEN I WORKED AT CITY HALL AND HE ALSO HAPPENED TO LIVE NEAR ME IN ANOKA. HE AND SOME FRIENDS WERE STAYING IN AN ABANDONED FARM HOUSE WHILE HUNTING AND HEARD A MEOW IN THE CHIMNEY AND THEY FOUND CHICKEN. MY SISTER TOOK HER INTO HER HEART AND FAMILY ALMOST 20 YRS AGO. SHE’S SURVIVED A VICIOUS ATTACK BY A GERMAN SHEPHERD, AN ATTACK BY A FERRAL CAT AND MUCH MORE. SEEING HER SHUT DOWN IS HARD. SHE HAS ASKED JESUS TO JUST TAKE HER, HER HUSBAND SAYS NO TO HAVING CHICKEN PUT TO SLEEP. TRUSTING GOD AND ENTRUSTING THOSE YOU CARE FOR THAT HE HAS YOUR/THEIR BEST INTEREST IN MIND LOOKS GOOD ON PAPER, BUT WHEN THE RUBBER HITS THE ROAD, IT IS MUCH HARDER TO DO. DO YOU TRUST HIM TO TAKE CHICKEN HOME, OR DO YOU TAKE THE SITUATION INTO YOUR OWN HANDS AND PUT HER TO SLEEP? THERE IS A COST, EMOTIONALLY AND OR FINANCIALLY. GOD USES ALL SITUATIONS TO TEACH US, TEST US, AND GROW US. THAT SPELLS OUT HIS CARE FOR US AND HIS CARE FOR YOU TOM. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.
Dearest Pastor Tom, I just wanted to let you know that I am joining my faith to yours and standing with you for a full and complete recovery. It’s hard to go through these kinds of trials, but I know God will see us through. By HIS stripes we are healed. The song singing in my heart for the past five days has been: “My deliverer is coming…my deliverer is standing by.” I’m claiming that sweet little chorus for you too.
I got some very good news last Thursday. My hematologist/oncologist says I DO NOT HAVE LEUKEMIA! That was one big hallelujah! Now we just continue testing to see what’s up. I had a bone marrow biopsy/aspiration a week ago and they are continuing to do more sophisticated work on that, so we shall see.
And you are radioactive! Whew! I loved your anaology and your positive uplook…God bless you mightily as we continue to stand with our eyes on the finished work of our dear Jesus. In His love.
Bonnie – Thanks for your sharing and encouragement. Quite the story about Chicken. Pets are indeed members of the family -may she find strength and comfort from the Lord through all this!
Joyce – Thank you for taking time to share your encouragement and own battles and victories!. It is amazing but that old song you’ve been singing “My Deliverer” by Rich Mullins is the same song that the Lord gave me last month following my surgery. I downloaded it to my iTouch and played it repeatedly. Praise God for songs of deliverance! May the Lord touch and heal you of every sickness and disease!