(From theFish.com)
This is an interesting time of year for me as stores pull the pink paraphernalia off the shelves and put up the Christmas items. October has become known for pink reminders everywhere of the battle against breast cancer. I am grateful for all that is done to defeat this dread disease. My dear wife just passed the five year survivor mark this year.
Today a song from Martina McBride brought back waves of memories from a difficult journey. The song is called “I’m Gonna’ Love You Through It”.
She dropped the phone and burst into tears
The doctor just confirmed her fears
Her husband held it in and held her tight
Cancer don’t discriminate or care if you’re just 38
With three kids who need you in their lives
He said, “I know that you’re afraid and I am, too
But you’ll never be alone, I promise you”
I remember facing those fears with Joni. I remember promising to walk with her through the valley. I am not a hero. It was my chance to be there for her as she had been my stalwart for so many years. The chorus of McBride’s song describes my desire to serve her.
When you’re weak, I’ll be strong
When you let go, I’ll hold on
When you need to cry, I swear that I’ll be there to dry your eyes
When you feel lost and scared to death,
Like you can’t take one more step
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I’m gonna love you through it.
I thought about the better or worse clause in our wedding vows. Cancer was not in the brochure I had pictured for our lives. But the amazing thing about the journey with Jesus is that He works good out of bad. Joni and I drew closer. I was humbled by the strength and depth of her faith. I was amazed by her courage, spirit, and resilience. I was challenged by her lack of self-pity. I now appreciate the good days a lot more and trust Him more during the bad ones. For me it was a privilege to serve a woman who had given selflessly to our family for so many years.
During her chemotherapy Joni’s wrote these words in her blog.
“I don’t like being sick but God keeps reminding me that He is in charge of my body, the cancer, the treatments and the timing even though I feel so out of control. When I am able to relinquish control of my situation is when He can work. Lord, I thank you for Dave, my earthly rock, and I thank you that you are my true Rock. Psalms 31:3…For thou art my rock and my fortress; for thy name’s sake Thou wilt lead me and guide me.”
We are called to “love” people through trials and storms. I remember my bride making a declaration of trust when she faced an uncertain future with her breast cancer diagnosis. Her words inspired me then and now. “I am not and I will not question God.”
Joni did not want to go through what she went through. But she knew that God had been faithful and she believed that would not change. It did not.
We have seen how God has used our trials in our lives and in the lives of others through His grace. In the book “The Perfect Loss” author Chip Dodd begins the volume with these words.
“Life is tragic; God is faithful.”
I believe that. I believe in His faithfulness. I believe in the joy that’s coming. I believe in a God who used brokenness and hurt to tear down my protective walls to learn how to trust Him and others with my needs. I believe I can live in a realm of grace that allows me to see and love others without the judgment that clouded the eye of my heart for so long. And I believe in the outcome of the journey no matter how tough it can be at times.
Paul wrote this to the church at Corinth.
…As God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. (2 Corinthians 4, NLT)
I pray that you hold firm to your trust when “life” happens. And I pray that you and I will remember that we are God’s hands and feet on this planet to “love” people through tough times. That is how the body of Christ should function. They may respect us for our knowledge and doctrine but they will know we are Christians by our love.
Lynda
I very much appreciate this. I, too, am a spouse that held my husband’s hand through his illness. I, too, do not know how people go through times like these without having a real relationship with God. God was with me every night when I went home from the hospital. He was the One that held me in His loving arms while I cried myself to sleep every night. He was the One that sat in the waiting rooms as my husband went through surgeries and procedures. He was the One that rode in my car with me as I traveled to and from work each day, and to whatever hospital my husband was in. He was with me in the meeting with the doctor to plan a DNR for my husband, and He was in the hallway when the DNR needed to be adjusted. He was my strength. He still is my strength. I loved my husband all the way through it…. God was in the room when my husband passed away. My husband is no longer sick. My husband is perfect and with Him. I know that he is with Him because he loved God with all his heart and served Him. I know that I will see him again.
Seven weeks after my husband passed away, my father followed him into eternity. A little over 3 months later, my mother joined them. We don’t have unlimited opportunities to love our dear ones. We don’t know how long they will be here with us. And we don’t know how long we have. Take advantage of every opportunity to show your love to those who are dear to you. You just may not have another one.
Thank you so much for this post. This has helped me so much, not only reading your post and Steven’s comment, but making my own comment. I appreciate you. Keep it up!
Steven
Dave, frankly I don’t know why there are not dozens, (at least), of comments left on your blog. Personally, I check in with you frequently, but it always seems like I’m on the run and there’s never time.
Please, keep it coming.
Thank you for this beautiful and inspiring post.
As another with a spouse who has a life threatening condition this one really means a lot. My wife is a new believer, (me too, relatively), and I can’t imagine going through this without the Lord.
Buddha said, “Life is suffering”.
Unfortunately, he didn’t know our God and that he is faithful.
So we will continue to “love them through it” and we will continue draw near to our God as he draws near to us.
Thank you.