day 1 of my blog. day 700-something of the storm.
Two years ago my brother was diagnosed with cancer - something my family never dreamed would happen. We're a normal, American, Christian family. Two parents, two kids. No one expects cancer to hit them.
But hit it did.
My brother and his wife have been battling it for longer than 700 days. Brian started feeling bad probably 2 1/2 years ago. A cough nagged at him, and he couldn't shake it. He didn't know he was getting ready for the fight of his life.
He went into surgery and came one less one lung - again something we didn't expect. We believed the cancer would be removed from his lung, not the lung from his body.
But I'm quickly learning God's ways are not my ways.
How many times do we think we know what God wants? How many times are we so sure of what His ways should be? Too often, I'm sure. We're only human, and although some of us know the supernatural realm exists, not many of us realize how close that realm affects our natural circumstances.
Brian's cancer went away. His 6-month checkup was clean. But the storm wasn't over. It showed up again a year after his surgery, worse than before.
That was almost a year ago. He's now near death's door.
But there's something I have to remember here. Death isn't more powerful than the God inside Brian. All the prayers and support that have been given to our family hasn't been for naught. Our God is a God who answers prayers. He doesn't respect persons. And I know of at least 3 situations where death was looming but didn't have the final say. If God can do it for them, He can certainly do it for Brian.
The problem is, my mind desperately wants to figure it out. I want to know the how, when, and where of his healing. I want to know when we'll be through this trauma. I want to know when the pain and hurt will end.
I don't know. Only God does. And that's why I find myself returning to the basic truth I know: God is good.
If that's the only thing I know in the middle of this unstable, horrific time, I will be okay.
trust me when I say "we are standing with you guys in this"...there is not a day that goes by that I dont think of all of you! I thank God for His strength to stand and walk thru it all.
ReplyDeleteHe is faithful...
God is faithful... that's all I can ever say (and pray). I don't always understand the path or the way - but I know He's ALWAYS there and taking care of us. My prayers are with you and your family (as they have been and will continue to be).
ReplyDeleteLB - your words are so moving, powerful, thought provoking, and tender. I can't imagine being in your shoes, but know that whatever comes, you will STAND. WE STAND with your family and are trusting Him for complete wholeness. He's SO faithful and SO big! Much love...
ReplyDeleteMEF