I have been wondering just
why I got the bright idea to start a blog in the midst of treatment for
cancer. My goal of posting at least once
a week has been side-tracked more than once.
The side effects of chemo do not always allow me to do the things I
would like to do. Now that I’m finished
with the first cycle of chemo, the “hard” cycle, I’m hopeful that life will get
a little more back to normal. They tell
me that the second cycle, with a different kind of chemo, will not be as
difficult.
One thing that I have
learned as I have been going through treatment is the power of the community of
faith. A dear former church member sent
me a thoughtful note, saying that she had waited to write to me until some time
after the diagnosis, because she thought at the beginning, I would be
overwhelmed with cards, and I would need some encouragement down the road when things tapered
off. I would have thought the same
thing, but actually, I’ve continued to receive an amazing number of cards and
notes of encouragement. I decided to
count the cards I’ve saved; I was stunned to realize that I’ve received nearly
300 cards since beginning treatment in February. As a pastor who is used to being a care giver, it is humbling to be on the
receiving end of things!
The cards and notes are a
tangible reminder that when we are part of the Body of Christ, we are never
alone. Our sisters and brothers in the
community of faith walk with us as we share both joys and sorrows. I have experienced the signs and symbols of
the presence of the Body of Christ in wonderful ways: hot meals, fresh fruit, prayer shawls,
blankets, and bandannas, even a pillow case embroidered with words of
blessing. Truly, as Romans 12:5 says,
“We, though many, are one Body in Christ,” and I am grateful.
A neighbor of ours from years ago moved and another neighbor who had spent a good deal of time with them and had become more friend than neighbor came over and was talking about missing them and he said, "I am full of cry". I had never heard the term before and was touched because his face reflected exactly what he was feeling. Your blog today brought that conversation back to me. My heart is full of cry, good cry, after reading your words. I met Reverend Green from St. Athanasius in the post office this week and we had a good talk about this very subject. We are a large and powerful family, the Body of Christ. Thank you, Dawn. j
ReplyDeleteThat's a new phrase for me, too, but how powerfully descriptive! Thank you for sharing that.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you tonight and praying all is well with you. I return to your blog and read it when in need of some christian fellowship. Now is my devotional time and I find this a good way to begin some nights. Paul called for God's people to get together and encourage each other never knowing how centuries later we would be able to do just that via such things as the internet...now's the time for you to be thankful that I don't Skype!
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