An Encouraging Squeeze

December 19, 2010

An Encouraging Squeeze

Last week in my May 10th posting I spoke about the conversation that my oncologist and I had regarding the safety and wisdom of continuing with chemotherapy. He recommended that we stop. I indicated that I wanted at least one more treatment, not yet willing to retreat from the battle. We agreed to at least one more and see what happens and I had my treatment that day.

Whoa… so does this guy know what he’s talking about or what? The treatment hit me like a ton of bricks on a truck moving at 70 miles an hour with the wind at its’ back. By the weekend I was becoming delirious and I really could not walk. My white blood count bottomed out. I’m really not sure what day it was but I think it was on Monday the 13th that I was admitted to the hospital. Today is Sunday the 19th and I am still loading up on steroids, fluids, antibiotics, pain meds, etc. I am hoping that I’ll be home by Christmas. (This would make a great song title.)

Okay. So now what? Well, we don’t know. We’ll do some scans to see what’s going on and decide at that time.

Psalm 18 -- The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

We will continue give this over to God and let him lead us through this. His will be done.

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed by thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Now comes the good part.

Last night I was lying on the hospital bed trying to read. I was having a hard time focusing on the book since my mind was busy reflecting on recent events in our journey. Suddenly I felt a hand come down on my shoulder, giving it a slight squeeze. I quickly turned but no one was there. Okay. Muscle spasm? I turned back to my book and a few moments later I felt the hand on my other shoulder followed by a gentle squeeze. I didn’t have to look. I knew who it was. What a wonderful way for my gentle and loving Lord to provide encouragement to me in such an intimate way.

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1 comment:

AnonymousDecember 20, 2010 at 8:56 PM
Wow! And now you are able to post again, too. Thanks be to God.
Sis
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Endure and Let Your Light Shine

1 Corinthians 10:13 -- No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

Hebrews 10:36 -- For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

Proverbs 13:9 -- The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

Matthew 5:14-16 -- let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Matthew 10:32-33 -- ‘Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.”

The Great Commission

After Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection He returned in the flesh one last time to His apostles and instructed them in the Great Commission. These are Christ’s last words of instruction to us, as recorded by Matthew, before his final ascension to the spirit world.

Matthew 28:18-20 -- And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’*

Padre Pio

The Way to Heaven
What does it matter to you whether Jesus wishes to guide you to Heaven by way of the desert or by the fields, so long as you get there by one way or the other? Put away any excessive worrying which results from the trials by which the good God has desired to test you; and if this is not possible, resign yourself to the Divine will.

Make Yourself at Home
It is just as well to make yourself at home with the sufferings that Jesus is pleased to send you as you must always live with them. In this way, when you are least expecting to be liberated from them, Jesus, who cannot bear to keep you long in affliction, will come and relieve you and comfort you, giving you new courage.