Uncle Larry

My uncle Larry has been fighting cancer and though it has been in remission, recently found that it is in his lymph nodes and liver. He has been a pastor for years and his last couple of e-mails have so amazed me. This is a person whose focus is on God and his faith remains unshaken. Let me insert an excerpt from his last e-mail as an example.
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I not only got up feeling blessed this morning but God was speaking words of wisdom and comfort into my heart and soul. He was helping me keep cancer in its proper perspective. It is not the main thing in my life. It certainly is a disruptive thing that I have to deal with and even with its attendant focus on death, it's not the main thing. When I get up in the morning I go about my day just like I did before any of this was ever a reality. Each day is filled with life and living. In the midst of the disruptions that we face God shows us new ways to serve and give and encourage. It's the living that occupies our minds and hearts not cancer.

Yesterday, Linda and I encountered some senior moments that were lighthearted and funny that got us to laughing and just enjoying and delighting in life and each other. We are doing ok. Today, to celebrate Yom Kippur, October 9th, seemed like a good as reason and any, we're making a tub of homemade ice cream. Actually we're just celebrating another day of life. It just happens to be Yom Kippur.

I've decided as I did the first time around that Satan is not going to win. In saying that I don't mean I won't die with cancer. That's not Satan's victory. His victory is when I quit living, give up, become discouraged and despairing. There isn't a week goes by but that I read about, hear about or encounter someone who has struggles that are far greater than mine.

Again, we don't know why God chose us for this adventure but we do know that it is seamlessly connected to a greater purpose that he has for us.We are seeing some of that worked out as we see our own hearts being transformed by God's love and goodness and grace.Thank you for your care and love and especially your prayers. Thank you for sharing the journey with us.
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Mind you, he is in a second round of Chemotherapy with all its ravaging debilitation - but he still remains steadfast and wants to encourage others!

As I have been writing sections for a retreat I will be doing, I am trying to learn how to always turn my focus on Christ - every minute of every day. Larry's e-mails have given me an example of Christ's outlook. As Jesus was dying on the cross, He was still thinking of you and I.

May His grace always be sufficient for all of you who read this.

Lovingly posted in the name of Jesus Christ,
Patti