Sunday, September 04, 2005
A Reason for Hope
"For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name." Psalm 33:21
We're back home again! Malcom was released from the hospital yesterday late afternoon. He was sent home with his chemo pack to finish out the last 24 hours. A "home infusion" nurse came by this afternoon to unhook it. He is fairly wiped out as was expected following the chemotherapy treatment.
He is exhausted and weary from the illness and treatment. I'm worn out too. And yet, we still rejoice in the Lord because our faith is firmly anchored in God's holy name. It makes a world of difference when facing this situation, something that was made very clear to us through observation of his last two roommates at the hosptial. They are also suffering with advanced cancer, they were undergoing very similar therapy, but there was no "hope" evident in their lives by their reactions to these circumstances. Instead we saw denial, anger, an uncooperative spirit, a general aura of hopelessness. Those without the Lord truly have nothing to hope in. They have already become disallusioned by anything the doctors or medical science can offer. If not for the Lord, we would be in the same frame of mind...But God. We are so thankful for the peace that comes from knowing God is in control of the circumstances of our lives. Without it, facing the unknown future would be unbearable.
Our desire is to demonstrate a living hope to a dying world. For now, our mission field is here.
We're back home again! Malcom was released from the hospital yesterday late afternoon. He was sent home with his chemo pack to finish out the last 24 hours. A "home infusion" nurse came by this afternoon to unhook it. He is fairly wiped out as was expected following the chemotherapy treatment.
He is exhausted and weary from the illness and treatment. I'm worn out too. And yet, we still rejoice in the Lord because our faith is firmly anchored in God's holy name. It makes a world of difference when facing this situation, something that was made very clear to us through observation of his last two roommates at the hosptial. They are also suffering with advanced cancer, they were undergoing very similar therapy, but there was no "hope" evident in their lives by their reactions to these circumstances. Instead we saw denial, anger, an uncooperative spirit, a general aura of hopelessness. Those without the Lord truly have nothing to hope in. They have already become disallusioned by anything the doctors or medical science can offer. If not for the Lord, we would be in the same frame of mind...But God. We are so thankful for the peace that comes from knowing God is in control of the circumstances of our lives. Without it, facing the unknown future would be unbearable.
Our desire is to demonstrate a living hope to a dying world. For now, our mission field is here.
2 Comments:
CF & Malcom,
Today the message in church was from Jeremiah 18 where it talks about God being the potter and we are the clay that is molded by the master's hand. I loved the verse that spoke of how when the clay/pot is marred then the potter reforms it. Our marred bodies often need to be reshaped/healed in the master's hands, just like our souls. I am glad we are in His hands. Praying for healing.
Sue M.
Carol and Malcom,
What a superb testimony for the Lord our God! Thanks for expressing your thoughts and feelings in a way that that exalts God even while you both are suffering.
Love and prayers,
Dave and Terri
Isa. 25:1
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