In my opinion, one of the most descriptive words in the English Language is “bittersweet.” In our available vocabulary we may search and actually find an exact word or phrase to illustrate situations and conditions which we experience.
We returned from the Chicago area last night and a visit to my brother and his wife, Lynne. Regular readers (many of whom have sought healing for him through prayer) know Craig has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Upon arrival we found a normally robust and very athletic 62 year old man reduced to using a walker, nearly deaf and in a generally debilitated state. As the weekend progressed we discovered a man who is naturally competitive, filled with the will to defeat his condition and wage all out war against his disease. Hence, we have a new found appreciation of the word bittersweet to evaluate the trip.
Public expressions of religiosity and long professions of faith have never been part of his persona. It is not my place to judge his attitudes on such matters but I can relate the superficial evidence. It has been scarce. He is a good man but he doesn’t bother others with his innermost thinking on the subject. He did come in for a huge surprise in the process. The outpouring of concern, cards, phone calls and visits from interested people has been huge. He has found a “new” word for his personal vocabulary—blessings.
One friend, when he heard the news, flew in from Boston, not just to visit but to be on hand to help, encourage, and rag him to help himself. It’s a guy thing. Some men just need a buddy to deliver the unvarnished truth of the painful actions to take to assist in recovery. Dave supplied it. Many others overwhelmed him with concern. It appears now that he recognizes the true meaning of blessings.
Once one becomes familiar with the paradox of healing through chemotherapy, it is possible to view it as a blessing and a curse. It requires destructive processes to tear down the bad but in the process destroys the good and necessary. In war, they call this collateral damage. Unfortunately (or not!) many of you are all too familiar with the process due to the afflictions of loved ones or from your own personal experience.
The strongest upside to this whole affair was the opportunity to share, to a ready listener, my personal testimony of God’ healing power. It has always been received with not so much dismissal but rather bored acceptance. It’s an old song but it needs to be sung over and over. The audience which tires of it need the words the most. God has the capacity to alter any and every aspect of our lives, if He is sought. This whole process becomes far more attractive in the face of a life threatening calamity. To deny, or even doubt, this truth is to bar the Greatest Physician from an active part in ones recovery. When the false shroud of personal invincibility crumbles, the only possible recourse is faith in the ability of the Master to come to our aid. I believe He will. Thanks to your prayers, so far, I believe my brother is coming to this point. As a family, we solicit your continued prayers for his recovery and prayers for his wife for strength in a very difficult situation. Thank you.
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What kind of an idiot drives 550 miles on “Black Friday” and another 550 miles on the last day of a four day holiday weekend? Would it have been possible to have chosen two worse days to take the road? Through God’s protection and my skills as a former professional driver we managed the trip without incident (other than sky high gas prices.) As our lives are currently structured, there was no choice.
In the course of travel, we were exposed to completely opposite ends of the human condition. We encountered folks who were courteous, friendly, helpful and generally considerate of those around them. Unfortunately, we also found a handful whose personal agenda prevented them from extending the least concern for their fellow man. They are among us. I have never quite figured out how jockeying for a one car betterment of position in a traffic jam is worth the risk. I am also unaware of the reason to pull on a busy highway and then drive twenty miles an hour under the assigned speed. As I pulled into a service station for fuel I observed an officer giving a citation to an individual in a parked car in the lot. I noted, while fueling, the transaction ended and the cited party drove the car off the lot and, without stopping, moved onto a busy arterial street. Oops! The officer noted this infraction and gave chase once again. I guess the driver is “stuck on stupid.”
As I walked into the store a woman outside complimented me on my shirt. This gratuitous remark then re-elevated my spirits and my disgust with the prior situation left me. It’s amazing to me how one little nicety can erase my former feelings and so quickly change my attitude. God is good.
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We are now back home, safe and sound. We may now resume our affirmed policy of “preaching to the choir.” We sincerely hope your holiday provided feasting and most important, a celebration of God’s many gifts.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
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