I hope you've had a great week.
Mine was
schizophrenic. At work, I finished an important project and prepared
for a new class. At home, the girls had a great time at our Fall
Festival on Wednesday and Trick-Or-Treating in Paxton Place on
Thursday.
But it wasn't a good week at all for some people I love; three different people to be exact. My heart hurts for the situations they face.
First, on Monday, my best friend from high school emailed me to say his older brother has a mass on his pancreas. They did a biopsy yesterday and will know something next Wednesday.
Second, on Tuesday, my mother told me that hospice has been called to take care of her best friend whose breast cancer has spread to her brain.
Third, on Wednesday (during the Fall Festival), one of my good friends from college texted me to say his dad's cancer had returned to his spine. His kidneys and bowels have shut down. To quote my friend, "It won't be long."
God has been hearing from me more this week than He has for a while. I've prayed for healing. But mostly I've prayed for peace for those afflicted and the people who love them. Each of the ones affected is a Christian; their final home is no mystery.
October 16th was my birthday. My wife and girls gave me Andy Andrews' new book "The Noticer Returns". I started reading it last Saturday and finished it Wednesday night.
One story in the book gave a wonderful picture to those whose loved ones are facing death. I paraphrased it and sent it to one of my friends. I'm going to share it with you because either you or someone you know may be the one in fear of being 'left behind' when a loved one slips from this life into the next. Adapted from pages 143-144 of "The Noticer Returns"...
"Friend,
You think that your sweet father is at the end, but that is only a lie you have believed. Because your fear has grown, you believe his fear has become greater…which is another lie. You believe he is experiencing something bad that gets worse until there is nothing at all. That, too, is a lie.
Here is the truth, Friend. He is not at the end. He is at the beginning. His fear has not become greater; it has become less and less until now, his fear is gone altogether. And he is not experiencing something bad that gets worse until there is nothing at all…he is experiencing something incredible that gets better, until there is everything.
Before this man was ever born, when he was warm and snug inside his mama’s belly, he kicked and twisted, moving this way and that. For months he struggled. He became uncomfortable. He longed for more freedom and began to sense that the world he inhabited was not where he ultimately belonged. He did not know what was on the other side of his struggle, but he was getting ready to experience something new and wonderful that in his wildest imaginings could not be described. Friend…he was getting ready to breathe.
And when he finally drew that first breath, it was clean and fresh and like nothing he had ever felt. He took another breath and another—and all around him, loved ones and friends cheered in a joyous celebration of his arrival.
Look at him now, Friend. For many years this dear child was happy and content in this body. But for some time now, he has struggled. He has become uncomfortable. He has begun to long for freedom from the pain of this body and has sensed that the world he inhabits is not where he ultimately belongs. Even now he does not fully appreciate the reality that is waiting on the other side of his struggle, but he is preparing to experience something new and wonderful that in his wildest imaginings could not be described. Right now…right this minute…he is getting ready to breathe.
And when he draws that first breath, it will be clean and clear and fresh, like nothing he has ever experienced. He will take another breath and another and another; and all around, his loved ones, his family and friends, will cheer in a joyous celebration of his arrival.
Do not be afraid for yourself, Friend. You can make the same journey one day—you can join him if you choose to do so. And don’t be afraid for him. He is fine. Remember…he is getting ready to breathe."
It's a beautiful picture, isn't it? Now you may wonder where this ties in with our lesson for this week. The title of the lesson is "Stand Your Ground". The point is to never compromise when the issue is a matter of biblical right and wrong.
As a Christian, I should not despair in these situations. God's hand will move to glorify Himself. I need to stand firm in the promises He's made to us.
We will discuss our scripture passage from Galatians 2:1-14. Be there at 9:45 am this Sunday morning. You don't really have an excuse not to make it on time because you'll have an extra hour to sleep. It's "Fall Back" weekend so set your clocks back an hour on Saturday night.
Finish Friday strong. Enjoy Saturday with your family. See you Sunday!
Loyally yours,
Darren Bayne
"Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." -- Abraham Lincoln
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