Today has been a very interesting day to say the least; as we are waiting the none and a half hours it takes to see the dr. there was an elderly woman sitting alone in a wheelchair, her name was Dixie. Dixie was very cold and mentioned that she had left her blanket at the rest home, it was then that I remembered the two brand new throws in the rear of our car. As I ran out to the car I threw out one of those quick prayers to God, something like Lord bless this little lady. There were two thows a red one and a tan one, I grabbed red and returned to find Dixie being interviewed by a nurse. As I covered her with the throw Dixie began to weep with tears of joy, red was her favorite color, and this was her first Christmas gift. Of course the waiting room came alive with shouts of joy and Dixie smiled and showed off her blanket all the way to the back where her doctor was waiting. Not a lot of joy in the waiting room of a cancer center on an average day, but today there was at least a brief moment of happiness for one, well ok more than one because Dawn and I got our socks blessed off.
Then it was our turn into the back where the bad news awaits a place filled with people helping people who have in many cases given up any hope for a normal life. For them the normal has become endless waiting at endless appointments, with endless bills, and endless pain, all for what, hope that the end will be delayed. As our doctor entered the room he lowered his head and told us his greatest concerns had been verified, Dawn has Pancreatic cancer and there is no known cure. No surprises here we knew long before today what the result would be and much to his surprise we smiled and thanked him for his honesty. I ended up placing my arm around this man, I thanked him for what he has chosen to do, that he has purposed in his life to fight against a terrible disease despite his so often task of delivering the worst of news to hopeless people. Dawn and I were very clear that we did not want his opinion on how long she had, we were clear that God not man has numbered all of our days, and He alone will decide when Dawn goes home. I'll pray for this man (Dr. Mahagiian) and he thanked me for doing so, and as he passes your thoughts please do so as well. The bottom line is that God not man is our hope, He has been our hope since the day we met Him, and even before, and now more than ever I can see the foolishness of placing our hope in any man, even or especialy if it is ourselves. You can't will away cancer, you can't send your thoughts and expect it to listen, money cannot pay enough for it to leave, the greatest Doctors in the greatest hospitals cannot cure it, and no herb or diet can destroy it, the only hope anyone can have over death is the ressurection power of Jesus Christ, and the healing power of Yaweah, He is our greatest hope is He yours?
Oh Gene, isn't it just like you guys to give away the red blanket? The significance of that blanket goes beyond Dr. Mahagiian's office. You've been giving away God's red blanket for many, many years and even in the face of cancer, God continues to put you in circumstances where you continue to do so. Our faith is not just conditional on God giving us the answers to our prayers that we think we deserve, he often gives us the answers that we need in order to be in those doctor's offices, spreading his love in the midst of our circumstances in order to prove that his promises are real, every time, all the time, cancer or no cancer. God has the very best in mind for all of you. You will be victorious no matter what the circumstances!
ReplyDeleteLove you, dear brother.
Hi Gene and Dawn. It's Del and Jeanie - your Red Bluff connection. We've been tracking with you from the beginning with prayer, a touch of fasting, and hearts knit together with yours. No doubt the Christmas Season is busy enough, then with the amazing grace God has giving you to shepherd a Shasta Lake City sheepfold, and the medical appointments for Dawn, time is in short supply for you. However, when you are able and can spare an evening, we would like to fix dinner for you at our house and have some fellowship, prayer, tears and laughter. Call me when you are able.
ReplyDeleteGene and Dawn
ReplyDeleteYou guys must be getting it by now. HOW loved you are. Thank you for taking the time to write.
You two are such an inspiration too so many. The lives you have touched and continue too touch through out this storm is witness enough that God exsists. What an example of christs love. Everyone you come into contact with, you choose to bless! Even though your pain and sufrering is so deep, you continue to give of yourselfs. Iam encouraged every time I read your blog. Your faith and love make me want to be all that god has intended me to be. Thank You Dawn, Gene, Katie, Natalie and Michaela. We love you, The Novelli's
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