How do you respond?

Some ask “how are you doing” with a sincere interest, others simply to pass the time of day. Yesterday a friend put his arm around me and simply said “I’m praying.” I needed that right then! My very gifted wife said it so well when she said “At the moment, I’m not very interested in platitudes.”

This past week, one of our SIM couples returned from having served in a very difficult situation overseas, and were scheduled to speak in chapel. After we had prayed for the appointed countries that day along with some other urgent needs, the couple was called forward to speak. As the fellow started to speak, he burst into tears and was unable to speak for a minute or so. When he finally regained his composure, he said “Really I am not a basket case. I was just so moved by those prayers for all of these people, and reminded of how your faithful prayers sustained us during a difficult term.” He went on to give an exciting report of how the Lord was working in that part of the world. It had been a hard time for them but it was clear that God was working.

I can relate. After over two years of fighting Carol’s cancer I would think that every emotion has been experienced. But as we face this next phase, I confess that I feel like being hit by a truck. The distant future is clear...but what about the near future? As I think back over the past two years, I am overwhelmed by the goodness of God and of our family and friends.

As I was at the computer yesterday, a Skype message popped up on my screen from daughter Sue. “You there?” After chatting about this new turn of events, to my great surprise she said that she was working on travel plans asking, “Want your personal nurse to visit?” Within a couple of minutes she had a flight scheduled to arrive later today, returning to Michigan Tuesday after our meeting with the Oncologist. Well, I felt like the fellow above as I “talked” with her via Skype through my tears of gratitude. Isn’t God good?

These have been difficult months, but at the same time good months for both of us. We believe that we have learned a few things while having some fantastic opportunities with family and friends which likely would not have happened if we were not living with cancer. No, we would not have chosen this path, but we are grateful for the extra months of blessing from the Lord and the wonderful unexpected blessings along the way. Each of you is part of that blessing.

Our love to you all,

Chuck...and Carol too