Faithfulness. That’s a word that has clarified itself more and more to me in the last 6 years.
From the lack of mine, to the recommitting of OURS, to the constantly constant of God’s. Faithfulness.
Last Friday, one of my closest friends called me to tell me her husband (also a very good friend) had been diagnosed with cancer. A mass, the size of a grapefruit/volleyball (seriously… that’s what her text said). How is this possible?
My friend, who just found out he has this mass the size of a Cirque Du Soleil acrobat, has been one of the most faithful men I know. He’s faithful to his wife, his children, his family, his friends, his church and God. FAITHFUL. When Brian and I were struggling thru my infidelity, these two were constant prayer warriors for us. She texted me often to let me know she was thinking of me and prayed every day and he CHOSE to stay neutral and not pick sides even though he was close to all parties involved. And not that there’s a “type” of person that “should” get cancer, because cancer does not discriminate and is an equal offender to all despite your race, gender or class… but if there was ever a person that wasn’t supposed to get cancer… HE would be this person.
On top of all this, my girlfriend has ALREADY lost her Mom (whom she was extremely close to) to a 12 year battle with cancer just a few years back. “Cancer” is an expletive in her family.
The other day, Brian said “We’re finally old enough to have bad things happen to us and our friends.” Think about it… for the longest time, it was our always our parents or grandparents friends who were divorcing, getting cancer, having affairs, losing a spouse, losing children… and now it’s us. We’ve graduated to SuckVille. It’s not something we want to graduate to… I’d love to stay in a place where none of my friends get sick and everyone lives happily ever after.
But going thru what we went thru ourselves… the journey HAS to include the pain. Without the pain, you can’t feel the relief and comfort. Or maybe you would, but would it really feel as sweet?
In my devotional time today, I was reminded of the One who in His own name is Faithful.
“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies.” ~Psalm 36:5
“His faithfulness continues through all generations.” ~Psalm 100:5
God is constant. He’s faithful. He’s proven Himself in history over and over… so what makes us think He’ll be different today?
Your post hits close to home for me as my husband, church planter, faithful follower of God, has been diagnosed with cancer twice. The second time being two years ago. It was by far, THE HARDEST trial we have ever had to walk through. My husband who is the life of the party in our home was so very, very ill. He lost 75 lbs and looked like a frail, little old man. Being two years away from that hard time in our life and struggling quite frequently with not living in fear of the future, I can say we have quite a testimony to God’s faithfulness. He never left us through it all. He was ever present.
I encourage you to constantly seek out your friend throughout their journey. I remember feeling so alone even though we were surrounded by people who loved us. It was a devastating blow to our family and our everyday life and it seems as if though people forgot the daily toil it took on our family.
The Lord taught me so much about serving and seeking Him during our walk. I posted quite frequently on our family blog: sellersfamilyfive.blogspot.com (started 2/14/11). Maybe it would be an encouragement to your friend.
Thanks for sharing your transparency.
Serving Our Faithful God,
Christy Sellers
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