Saturday, December 15, 2018

Seeking Relief From The Body Of Death

Do you ever feel like there is something for which you cannot escape or lingers on? I know sometimes a cold or respiratory infection can go on for weeks and weeks requiring multiple rounds or antibiotics and several doctors' visits.  I've heard people say statements like, "I just can't seem to shake this" portraying their frustration with its persistence.

However, some ailments in life can be more intense and more destructive.  In relation to this, Paul makes an interesting statement as he describes the battle between the spirit and the flesh in Romans 7.  In verse 24 he proclaims, "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?"  So, what exactly is a "body of this death?" which had its grip on Paul.  It possibly conveys a most gruesome meaning.  The MacArthur Study Bible says that "...an ancient tribe near Tarsus tied the corpse of a murder victim to its murderer, allowing its spreading decay to slowly infect and execute the murderer-perhaps that is the image Paul had in mind."  I cannot think of anything more hideous and grotesque.  

Yet, that is exactly how seasons and circumstances of life can linger in their destruction.  It could be a failed marriage, a job loss, financial difficulties or loss of health.

Although I have been cancer free since 2006, the effects of this disease and its treatment just never seem to go away.  I still have damage from the chemotherapy with hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy and chronic kidney disease.  Since my bladder was removed in 2004 and a neobladder created I have to stick a tube in my artificial bladder three times a day and am forever a slave to companies which sell urinary catheters.  In addition, I have to sleep with a diaper nightly due to the threat of urinary incontinence.  Furthermore, there is the concern of how to care for myself in latter years, wondering if I will have sufficient assistance when I am old and feeble.  

Hence, similar to Paul, I also feel like I am attached to a "body of death."  How will I ever escape this predicament?  The cure is listed in Romans 7:25 with the glorious news, " Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"  Although life may be difficult in many ways, I know that "weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning." (Psalms 30:5)



Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Some Things Can Wait

I've been extremely busy lately so have been limited in contributing to my blog.  Nevertheless, I had an inspiration recently while running and was waiting for an opportune moment to share. 

Basically, I've been running along Deerfoot Parkway close to where I live for at least seventeen years.  Although my work schedule limits my activity some, I do try to run at least twice a week.  As I've probably mentioned previously, running is a great way to clear my mind and pray about matters with little distraction.  In addition, hopefully this strenuous exercise trumps my bad habits, e.g. loving hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, etc. and helps me remain physically fit. 

Yet, in all of my years running on the parkway, I encountered an unusual site several weeks ago.  While I was running, I saw a duck and ducklings crossing the road at a leisurely pace.  Mind you, Deerfoot Parkway can be a relatively busy thoroughfare.  However, out of the blue, the mother duck and her young proceeded to cross the road while there was still a good amount of traffic flow.  Seeing this lovely waterfowl family, I feared for their safety as the passing cars could easily turn the ducks into pate'.  Thankfully, the cars on the road stopped for a few moments and let the ducks advance to the other side of the road.  Afterwards, the automobiles continued on their journeys. 

So, seeing the ducks, I thought surely there is some sort of lesson here.  What could these ducks represent?  I struggled for an answer and realized that the ducks could represent a concept which is much needed at times, more specifically, the need to temporarily put life on hold to sort out other issues.  In other words, let the ducks pass.

Consequently, this is applicable in any area of life.  Maybe you want to write a book but are currently struggling with illness or cancer.  It's okay to let the illness resolve or improve, then begin writing afterwards.  It's like being on a Merry-Go-Round.  Just jump back on when circumstances allow or, in keeping with the theme, allow time for the ducks to pass.

Wanting to get a college degree but also wanting to start a family?  It's okay to delay getting your degree for a year or two to have a child or vice versa.  Nothing wrong with that.  Just let the ducks pass.

Furthermore, in any situation, when confronted by a family of ducks, just give them ample time to cross the road and then continue your journey.



 

 




     

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Thinking Outside The Box

As I have mentioned in several blogs, I am a runner and try to run at least twice a week as my schedule permits.  I do this for a couple of reasons.  First of all, it's a great time to clear my mind and pray over matters.  In addition, running keeps me from gaining a lot of weight.  Not that I lose weight, mind you.  I just feel like I don't gain a lot of weight when I consistently run.  Furthermore, by running, I don't feel quite as guilty when I frequent fast food restaurants as is my habit.

One place I visit on occasion is the local hot dog eatery.  I like my hot dogs "all the way" with sauerkraut, onions and special sauce.  On the other hand, my wife is much more picky about her selection in that she wants the hot dogs without onions.  So, when I order, I usually mention I want at least one of the dogs without onions.  But, when I get home, this is where the fun begins.  Sometimes the eatery marks the wrapper a special way to show that the hot dog is without onions.  On other occasions, there is no mention on the wrapper.  So, I have to sort through the dogs to find the ones without onions.  This takes time and is sometimes difficult to find the onions (or lack of them) on the hot dogs.  

Then, one day, it dawned on me, there was a simple way to rectify this problem. So what did I do?  I began ordering all the hot dogs without onions.  That way, I didn't have to search through the hot dogs plus I didn't run the risk of being fussed at by my wife if there were onions involved.  Easy solution.

Sometimes in life it is advantageous to think outside the box, that is, to look for easy solutions for problems.  For example, I read about a lady who had extreme nausea with her chemotherapy treatments in the afternoons.  So, what did she do?  She set her alarm clock to wake her up around 3AM and ate a huge breakfast so nausea wouldn't be a problem later in the day.  Great idea!  There is absolutely no law that you have to wait until 7 or 8 a.m. to eat breakfast.  Hence, she was able to eat well and not worry about nausea during the day.  She was thinking outside the box.

I also heard about a man whose doctor told him he needed to drink 8 glasses of water a day, sometimes a difficult request.  What did he do?  When he got up in the morning, he drank 8 glasses of water back to back.  Kind of unusual, but yet, there is no rule that you can't drink the beverages all at one time.  He was thinking outside the box.

So, when facing difficulties or unusual problems, don't give up.  There may be a way you can accomplish a task by thinking outside the box.  Be creative.  It may not be as hard as you think.

          

Friday, January 19, 2018

Lessons From a Preemie

My oldest daughter recently gave birth to her second son, William.  However, due to pregnancy complications, the child was delivered emergently at 31 weeks.  He remains in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and is receiving extraordinary care.  As a grandparent, I pray earnestly that my newest grandson will grow, thrive and ultimately come home to be with his older sibling.  I also pray that the health care team will have uttermost wisdom in dealing with his fragile life.  Of course, I also lift up his parents and extended family in the midst of this situation. 

Yet, dealing with my premature grandson's situation has opened my eyes to something which countless parents experience.  Perhaps the best way for me to deal with my anxiety (as I have in time's past) is by writing.  So, please bear with me as I try to gather some thoughts that might be helpful to myself and others.

In general terms, William had to be prematurely removed from his mother's womb.  That is the problem.  Pure and simple.  If he could have stayed there until his delivery date in March, life would be much, much easier. 

Hence, what are the advantages of a child being in the womb?  What specifically does the womb provide?  These thoughts may be even applicable to any situation, whether cancer or whatever difficulty in life. 

 First of all, there is protection. No matter what external extremes of heat or cold are present, the temperature in the womb remains consistent. 

In addition, there is provision.  Nourishment is provided to the fetus via the placenta.  All nutrients are provided to help the fetus grow and flourish.

Another advantage of the womb is is personal touch.  How many parents rub or talk to the kicking baby to give them sweet assurance of their presence!

In like manner, I can see how these same concepts are necessary when going through cancer or cancer treatment.  For example, when I was going through chemotherapy, I was given Neulasta injections periodically to increase my white blood cell count and "protect" me from infection.

Also, "provision" was definitely a necessity during chemotherapy.  It was a challenge to keep food down due to extreme nausea.  On the days I felt relatively well, I tried to "eat like a horse" in order to boost my strength.  Nevertheless, I still lost twenty five pounds while undergoing 3 1/2 months of my chemotherapy regimen.

Finally, "personal touch" was such a comfort.  I don't know of anyone who received more prayers while I was fighting cancer.  There were those who brought food, patted me on the back, etc.  My father even painted my porch!

Therefore, protection, provision, and personal touch are necessities.  Whether in the womb or out, no matter where we are on our life journey, it's nice to have such things to lighten our load.