Editor’s Note: Remission Reflections

Editor’s Note: Remission Reflections

On December 18 my oncologist informed me that my cancer is in full remission. The news flooded over me as tears blurred my eyes. Praise the Lord! Full remission! Mike and I fell on our knees and thanked God for His goodness. I emailed the news to as many people as I could think of over the next hour, thanking them for their prayers on my behalf. I know remission does not mean cancer-free, but it does mean a temporary recovery with no current signs or symptoms of cancer.

As people emailed me back, the oft repeated response was, “Praise the Lord, God is so good.” While enjoying these moments, I was, at the same time thinking of Erika, Jeanette, Robert, Karina, Greg, Doug, and so many others I know living and dying with various stages of cancer. Is God only good in the good times, and not the bad? No. God’s goodness is based on His character. Which means that my remission is unrelated to whether or not He is good. He is good and He is good all the time – no matter what my circumstances might be.

I found God was good when confined in a lonely hospital room for weeks, with the possibility of never coming home.

I found God was good when receiving weekly IV treatments which never seemed to find a vein on the first try.

I found God was good when sleepless nights were long, painful, and wearisome.

These experiences have made me thankful for our good God who never gets weary, and never runs out of patience in watching over me. He hears, provides strength, and helps me see the wakeful nights as beautiful opportunities for uninterrupted communion with Him. Yes, God is as good in the rain as He is in the sunshine.

Juanita Edge, Communication Director

The Weaving

My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.

Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.

Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned

He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.

 

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.

Psalm 59:16-17

But I will sing of your strength;
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me a fortress
and a refuge in the day of my distress.
O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
for you, O God, are my fortress,
the God who shows me steadfast love.