It has been quite awhile since I posted an entry on this blog. It has been a challenging couple of weeks, but I am grateful that I'm feeling better and am able to bring you up-to-date on what is happening. So many of you have been so encouraging through your notes, cards, emails, and assurance of prayer support.
Today's blood report was encouraging and, except for a 20 minute infusion of magnesium, I was told my blood levels are moving in the right direction, even though they are still low. Please pray for those platelets and red cells especially!!
Thursday is a big day for me. I'll have another blood levels check, a PET scan and meet with the doctor. I should have a clear reading on the effectiveness of the last round of chemo and what the next step in treatment will be. We'll try to post something later on Thursday or Friday. Thanks.
Spirit: "Hope for Healing" Psalm 33:16-19
My thoughts and focus recently have been on being open and willing to embrace God's will even if it isn't my desire. This passage has been a breath of fresh air as I anticipate the PET scan of Thursday.
The psalmist makes it clear that the size of the army isn't the key to success (Might he have Gideon in mind?). Conventional wisdom says that the larger army wins! The psalmist says that strength and overwhelming power won't necessarily win the day (Might he have the Israelites and the Red Sea in mind?). Conventional wisdom says the more fire power you have, the more sure the victory.
The psalmist says God is focused on those who hope in Him; who know His loyal love; who put Him first and revere Him more than all/everything else. His response is to deliver from death and keep them alive in hard times.
My confidence is easily placed in statistics and probabilities, not God. When medical science says, "We've got this," I relax. When medical science stumbles, I get nervous. This whole cancer journey has been like that and as treatment after treatment has produced less than was desired, my comfort level has dropped and my heart has had to wrestle with where my confidence really lies. This passage summarizes it well for me. My hope for life and healing needs to be rightly place in the One who is greater and stronger than my cancer. I will look to Him with confidence and expectancy. He is able and good!
"Dear Lord, forgive me for the times my confidence is more influenced by conventional wisdom and probability than by the God who delivers from death...no matter what the odds!! Praise Your Holy Name."
Pastor Dave~
ReplyDeleteYour words are always so honest. It is certainly "human" to take hope from words of the "professionals." Thanks for sharing "all" of your struggles with us and reminding us to put our hope in God.
Pastor Dave,
ReplyDeleteThanks for these words, it is so easy for all of us to look to what we know rather than to God and what He offers. I rejoice in your transparency and am thankful you are who you are. The battle is the Lord's, no matter what the battle. We love you and appreciate you so..... much. We continue to pray your "rest" in the Lord and your family's "rest" in the Lord.