Good morning…
Wow. Yesterday I learned a startling truth: the word “biopsy” is not benign. Benign means good and mild, gentle and kind, tender and harmless. I know the word “biopsy” is not benign, because it caused a fearful stir.
I quoted Erwin Raphael McManus in my post yesterday, a post entitled 911 Moments Form Our Faith. McManus wrote, “Even as I write these words, I am a few hours away from learning the results of a recent biopsy.” Mistakenly, many of you thought that I had written that sentence, that I, myself, was awaiting biopsy results. A very large handful of you reached out to me, expressing concern and lifting your prayers.
I learned a few things from our loving email exchanges:
- Words hold power, so as an everyday blogger it is crucial for me to discern words wisely and to communicate thoughts as clearly as I possibly can.
- We are all imperfect and miscommunications will occur. I will not always write exactly what I mean, and sometimes you will perceive a meaning I did not intend. Because of your kind emails, I edited yesterday’s post, hopefully making the truth more clear.
- Our blog is privately interactive, between you and me, so if you have a question or a concern about anything I write, please, please be brave enough to reach out to me personally, and with God we will work through any concerns honestly, together.
- Your prayers for me and for our written word ministry matter to me tremendously, in the exact same way my prayers for you make a powerful difference in your life.
Today I am not waiting for the results of a recent biopsy, the threat of cancer is not currently on my personal radar. Yet we know the word “biopsy” is not benign, and, if it ever lands on my lap, as an online community we will face the truth with grace. In a prayerful, interactive way, we will notice the clear line of distinction between fear and faith, we will explore together the higher path of faith, and we will do what must be done, say what must be said, and write words that must be written, as we live with God the life that must be lived.
“Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation]” (Isaiah 41:10, AMP).
…Sue…
