Still Resting

Carol is still resting after having chemo #51 yesterday. Later this morning, and again Saturday and Sunday, we will go in for an infusion of additional fluids which hopefully will reduce the after-effects that she previously experienced from this nasty Cisplatin. It is a nasty one for her, but we are so thankful that it is also proving to be effective on the cancer.

I awoke early this morning and had a few hours before getting up to quietly pray and reflect upon God’ goodness to us. A major focus of my reflection centered around the special time that we enjoyed with our family this past week.

We had a wonderful time with the family over the Easter weekend. A few weeks ago while attending a conference in Florida we enjoyed a session with Dr. Erwin Lutzer, after which we were given his book, One Minute After You Die. After reading it, Carol and I were impressed by the simple but effective way he presented those exciting last/first moments of life. So much so, that we gave a book to each of our children and grandchildren. We also took some time to discuss some thoughts about funeral arrangements and what would likely work best for those left behind, at the same time providing a meaningful experience. We are reminded that death is also part of God’s plan for us, and not something to avoid talking about.

Here are a couple of thoughts from the book that come to my mind. Referring to our tendency to look back and say if only we had/they had…etc., Dr. Lutzer says “Let me encourage you to take those ‘if onlys’ and draw a circle around them. Then label the circle ‘the providence of God’…We have the word accident in our vocabulary; He does not.” Later he makes the statement; “Our death is as meticulously planned as the death of Jesus…To those who walk with faith in God’s providence, they die according to God’s timetable.” We trust that this little book will help to answer many questions that may be asked when saying good by to a loved one or looking ahead to our own “arrival”…After all, heaven is the Christian’s final destination.

Thank you Father, that as we are obedient to you, our lives will follow your meticulously planned timetable. May we continue to glorify you as we share the remaining miles of this journey called life with our dear friends and family.

Our love to you all,

Chuck…and Carol too