Good morning…
Four of us were talking, my self, my friend who will begin chemo therapy treatments today, and two mutual friends, one a cancer survivor and the other a “through thick and thin” friend for years and years. The long lasting friend said, “You are going to need to let go of things, let go and let God.” The cancer survivor added, “Life will force you to put some ‘things’ down. Right now, you do not know what that will look like, but there will be ‘things’ you will have to put down. For a while, you simply will not have the strength to pick them back up, so those ‘things’ will just have to stay down. Over time, as your energy returns, you will have more choice in the matter. Because challenges have a way of teaching us what is of utmost importance, you will eventually choose to let the non-essentials stay down, and you will live more free.”
Volunteering to support my friend, I have the privilege of sending out her regular updates to friends and family members. She crafts a short message, I add a few words of introduction, and I field questions to shield her from replying personally to all. As I prepare the email I will send out this morning, I am touched by the ending of my friend’s morning message: “When I started this journey, I knew so little. Now, I feel I have gained a rich base of knowledge (and insight) that has prepared me to move forward. Elizabeth Alexander captures how I feel today in her poem “Gift.”
“Insight often disappears but leaves residue,
What you understand and did not know before.
It is not quite so noisy inside.”
“Not quite so noisy inside.” “You will live more free.” These two phrases hold hands as I pray for my friend today.
But now, this is what the Lord says–
he who created you…
he who formed you…
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God…your Savior…
Since you are precious and honored in my sight…I love you…” Isaiah 43:1-4a (NIV),
Sue
