New Perspective & Hope

Sometimes trials can seem insurmountable, and we don't see how things might get better. What's before us is alive, real and kicking. When we do as the scriptures tell us, to mount up with wings as eagles, to run and not be weary, we end up getting a perspective that we would not have seen had we just been looking at the wind and the waves and the water filling the boat.

My dear wife Maureen went to the pathologist yesterday and got the report on her big surgery, what we had been looking for, the word was still, "clean margins." There were some uncomfortable words said, at least to myself, like, 'we found cancer in a lymph node and on some of the soft tissue,' but the answer to that was, "it was a successful surgery." Anything the human eye could see, with special magnifying glasses during the surgery, was cut out.

I had my list of questions to ask, probably more than the average person, and the doctor got a bit worried about me that I was thinking things too far ahead. Actually I was asking very exact and to the point questions about the surgery and pains that were presently being felt and what that might mean. But in his explanation about my potentially taking things too far, I could see that he was helping us understand how we should be looking at things from this point onward. "If the margins that were cut out during surgery were tested and all came back clean, then just hold onto that, go to the next step, readiation, and leave it in the hands of the Lord." It's so nice to be reminded of the basics from a Christian doctor.

Regarding this kind of cancer having the tendency to return, even in 60% of his patients, the push was toward the positive, she's alive and she needs to just live. Get through the present diffulties and when a clean bill of health comes in December or such, just appreciate it, and live as a cured person. You get it, don't worry about the future. And truly we have been casting all of our cares upon Him, knowing that He cares for us.

When you are put through such a horrendous trial, you can't help but let your mind wander sometimes, and with this, the seriousness of what you are facing sets in. But, what can any of us do but pray and trust. God has never let us down and never will, no matter what the future holds.

My wifes birthday was yesterday and the one thing that she felt would be a great present was if we all prayed together, my two sons, two daughters and myself. Well, they have all been off doing their own things lately, but to have them together each praying for her, even the laying on of hands, and each praying for something personal in their lives as well, you could see this was the perfect gift to an easily satisified wife. Last night we all sang happy birthday to her, along with our two Chinese students staying with us, and you should have heard it, like something out of the tryouts for American Idol.

Presently my wife is dealing with an impediment in her speaking, but even with that, the doctor said, don't worry about it until after you are finsihed with radiation. All of this gave my wife some needed perspective. She was able to step back for a moment and find a new way to take things in and interpret all these things she was going through, a new bird's eye view.

I knew my wife had been struggling with an inner need for hope, especially after the surgery. She asked friends to pray, and sure enough, she ends up having hope begin to surface in her heart again. Truly, He has been a light in her darkness.Thank God for hope in the midst of discouragment, hope in the midst of the unknown, hope when much of her before cancer life seems to be diminishing.

It's interesting how things like this bring people out of the woodworks. An old friend reconciled their relationship with us. People have such different responses, a few didn't want to see Maureen because they were afraid they'd start crying, very understandable. Others cringe at medical things and so have kept at arms distance. Her situation has reminded others and magnified in their hearts their own problems and issues, and others have been too busy to take any notice, but for the most part, there has been an outpouring of love and freiendship like you've never seen. I am thankful for all who have shown their sacrificial words and deeds of love in multiple ways.

We shall prevail, one way or the other, because God is reigning on the throne of eternity. I hope as you feel the pressures of this life coming your way, you will cling to the Lord with all you've got. Never take your eyes off the author and finisher of your most holy faith. We don't always understand His working, the ways he does or seemingly doesn't answer prayer, our feeling close or distanced from Him. All is in His loving hands and we just need to know He is strengthening us and working no matter how dreary or long a day and season may look to us.

One day cold winter shall all be over for all of us, and when all is said and done, the question is, what did we do with Jesus during this life? He is the one who died on the cross for our sins, and rose from the dead, because death had no power to keep Him in the grave.

May we all just be empowered from on high to be His witnesses and let men, women and children everywhere know to repent, be baptized and be filled with the Holy Spirit. If any one of our situations brings about the opportunity for us to share the love of Jesus with someone, that is enough to make it worth it, no matter how personally painful the dreadful trial may be.

Come quickly Lord Jesus. Amen!

John Schaffer