Perspective

 

Radiation for the thoracic lesion was completed today.  It has officially fried my esophagus (hopefully temporary) so I assume it has made an impact on the thoracic lesion (hopefully permanent). This week has put many things into perspective.  Ten years ago this week I came back from MDAnderson in a horribly bumpy ambulance ride to a rehab hospital in Tyler after surgery to remove a third of my femur.  The doctor wanted me there for six weeks, but Christmas was upon us and I had been told that I had a short time to live.  So not expecting to be here for another Christmas I insisted on going home to spend that last Christmas with my family.  God has richly blessed me to be here ten years later.

 

As I have gone for radiation treatments the last two weeks I have noticed many awaiting doctor visits or treatments in the waiting area who are so much worse than myself.  Some short of breath despite oxygen, some in wheelchairs with little hope of getting out, some obviously feeling more exhausted than I feel. That, and the memory of ten years ago helps me to view what is been going on with my cancer with a different perspective. I am reminded of how blessed I am. I could be in a much worse shape today, BUT I am not there yet. I am content to be where God has me at this moment.

 

I recently saw this Christmas hymn and love the words.  May it bless you this Christmas season.  Have a blessed Christmas and remember He whose birth we rejoice in.

 

I Cannot Tell by William Fullerton

 

I cannot tell why He, whom angels worship,
  Should set His love upon the sons of men,
Or why, as Shepherd, He should seek the wand’rers,
  To bring them back, they know not how or when.
But this I know, that He was born of Mary,
  When Bethl’hem’s manger was His only home,
And that He lived at Nazareth and labored,
  And so the Savior, Savior of the world, is come.

2

I cannot tell how silently He suffered,
  As with His peace He graced this place of tears,
Or how His heart upon the Cross was broken,
  The crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, He heals the broken-hearted,
  And stays our sin, and calms our lurking fear,
And lifts the burden from the heavy laden,
  For yet the Savior, Savior of the world, is here.

3

I cannot tell how He will win the nations,
  How He will claim His earthly heritage,
How satisfy the needs and aspirations
  Of east and west, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see His glory,
  And He shall reap the harvest He has sown,
And some glad day His sun shall shine in splendor
  When He the Savior, Savior of the world, is known.

4

I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,
  When, at His bidding, every storm is stilled,
Or who can say how great the jubilation
  When all the hearts of men with love are filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
  And myriad, myriad human voices sing,
And earth to heaven, and heaven to earth, will answer:
  At last the Savior, Savior of the world, is King.