"They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and
ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation
for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."
1
Timothy 6:18-19
Today we heard wonderful news from a friend with throat
cancer. After months of radiation and chemotherapy, his CT scan shows that he
is cancer free! He has been through so much physical suffering and is still
barely able to swallow even small amounts of liquid, but he stands in awe of
how amazing God has been to him. Our treatments have not been anything alike,
but our journeys have. By surrendering our situations to the Lord and allowing
Him to carry us, we have been able to rest and heal. Our experiences are also
alike in the way we have to approach every day—with hope, but not presumption.
Cancer patients have an acute awareness that each season might be their last. Of
course, nobody is assured that he will walk the earth next fall; but cancer
patients are reminded monthly, weekly, daily--dare we say hourly?--of their
mortality. We must decide every moment whether to “seize” it or squander it. So,
do we call this a curse? Or might it actually be considered a blessing?
In his book The Lies
We Believe, Dr. Thurman cites a study by psychiatrist Irvin Yalom who
interviewed terminally ill cancer patients. Yalom learned that people who come
to terms with their approaching death are more likely to:
-- rearrange their priorities and dwell less on trivial
matters.
--enjoy freedom to do the things they want to do, and likewise,
not do that which they do not want to.
--enjoy life in the present with “carpe diem” ("seize the day")
mentality, not putting things off until after retirement or a later date.
--appreciate nature more fully and have an enhanced
awareness of seasonal changes or holiday joy.
--spend time communicating more meaningfully with loved ones.
--be less worried about rejection and more willing to take
risks.
It’s ironic that most of us have to experience the reality
of death before we can appreciate life. So, are we who have experienced cancer
more blessed by the experience than we were before? You and I can only answer that question for ourselves, as it has as much to do with our perception as with reality. But I think that most people,
if they are honest with themselves, can find a blessing in their cancer, even
if the blessing is that they have learned to appreciate the health they once
had! My prayer is that we will not only be able to find the blessings in our
situation, but also our purpose. After all, God still has work for us to do.
Father God, You know
that this is not the way I wanted to live my life. This was not my plan at all!
And it was not Jack’s either. But for whatever reason, You allowed this to be
part of Your plan for our families. Thank you for touching him and blessing him
and restoring him. Lord, Help us to count the blessings, and help us to use
this cancer for Your glory. Bless those who are struggling to find peace, and
help us all to live abundantly, with You and in You and through You, Amen.
