Waking up and a multitude of Prayers.

It was still quiet this morning when I woke up. I didn't move for a long time, secretly hoping that when I did it would be a bad dream, or some misremembered event, or that it would be like every other illness I have ever had; that I had just slept it off. I really don't get sick. ever. If I do get sick, food poisoning, the flu, stomach virus, chicken pox, pneumonia, whatever . . . at worst, it's just a long day. I'll sleep for a day, a good hard sleep at night, and it's done, over with, gone. I have relied on that system for years.

When I finally started moving this morning though, I realized once again, I'm still sick. It's still there. Nothing has changed. I still have Cancer. I wondered as I started my new morning wake up routine, how many times am I going to have to tell myself that, how many times am I going to have remind myself that I have cancer, before it sinks in. Will it ever? will it be the first chemo appointment? will it be when I meet with the Oncologist, when they start reading statistics and giving me numbers, options and whatnot, will it sink in then? who knows. I am praying that it will all be over before it sinks in, and that the thought that will sink in is, I HAD Cancer, and now I am cured. I pray for that day to come soon.

My morning's used to consist of rolling over, hopping out of bed, and padding to the kitchen, making some hot tea, waking up my favorite little boy, and then spending the morning at the breakfast table joking around before we started the day. this week, it takes me about an hour, to wake up, take some antacids, then some nausea meds, and then eventually lay on my back (which is a big step), and then slowly, over a long period of time, gradually work on sitting up in bed. If I move to fast, I get nauseous, and the morning tanks. Once I finally sit up, then I start drinking liquids, to re-hydrate from a long night, and then eventually my wonderful wife will bring my breakfast (right now its liquified oatmeal, grits, cream of wheat, etc. so exciting I know). all that to say, it's radically different, and a reminder of just where I am right now in this long journey.

It does, however, give me plenty of time to pray in the mornings, being thankful for seeing another day, praying for strength, for endurance, for wisdom, for perseverance, for hope. A good way to start a day that will be full of ups and downs, unpredictable obstacles, and new challenges.


In light of all that . . .
Tonight, Wednesday, February 24, at 7:00 pm, some very dear friends of ours, Adam and Nicki Silverman are hosting a prayer Gathering tonight at their house for us. If you are in Nashville and would like to go, feel free to email them for directions, etc. Or, feel free to email them if you want to know more of what they are praying for tonight. They would welcome as many people as want to come, so feel free to drop them a line.

I am still humbled by the body of Christ, and I pray that I will continually be so, to see it move in such a way. I am encouraged by the multitude of those coming together in prayer, and I am reminded of what it means to serve, and what it mean to love, and to show compassion. I am so thankful for these lessons that are being poured out in abundance right now.

Thank you for your continued encouragement and the outpouring of your prayers.