From C.S Lewis
My dad has a tumor. Those words are even hard to type. Not sure where this is taking us but the journey has begun.
Right away I was reminded of a quote from C.S. Lewis in a book titled A GRIEF OBSERVED.
“You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you. It is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong and sound as long as you are merely using it to cord a box. But suppose you had to hang by that rope over a precipice. wouldn’t you then first discover how much you really trusted it? …Only a real risk tests the reality of a belief.”
That this journey holds real risk cannot be denied. Not a journey we would have chosen. A path I have walked with dozens of others but always as an adviser. This time such convenient distance is not allowed nor desired. I will be immersed as much as they need me to be.
By the way… I fully expect to find that the rope we hold to (that is Jesus) will be just as trustworthy in this season of difficulty as He has been for many seasons of ease.
December 16, 2009 at 10:58 am
We’re praying along with you, brother.
The hardest lesson I keep running into is the finiteness of life. At age 10, it was so easy to live in a moment and just let time go rushing by because I couldn’t see the end. By 20, I occasionally stopped to savor and purposefully enjoy moments but still felt like this life was eternal. By 30 I was married with a child and life was moving at a break-neck pace and I was beginning to feel that time was limited. By 40, four children and their activities on top of our own made the 30-yr-old break-neck pace seem like a snail’s pace and monthly visits with my parents showed me how finite life is. Perspective. *sigh* It makes such a difference.
I don’t know that those thoughts have anything to do with your current stage of journey other than maybe a reminder that this leg, while it may feel excruciatingly long and arduous, will likely one day be looked back on as a fleeting moment. In the midst of it all, grab onto those extra special moments of joy and peace that will come along and savor them.
December 16, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I have not experienced this type of health issue you are facing with your Dad, but having just buried our little granddaughter Gwen a month ago, I too, was brought directly onto the path, that I have watched from a distance, that others have had to take. It was such an abrupt path change, that if I had not had the Rope of Jesus to hang onto I may have taken a terrible fall. And I’m still hanging on tight, for this path has more times of sorrow than my previous path, and I still rely on His strength to get me through.
My journey is different now, as I expect yours will be, too. Your rope will be strong when you need it. I will be praying for you and your family.
December 16, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Sometimes there are just no words. Praying for an extra dose of strength and courage as your family journeys through this together.
December 17, 2009 at 10:36 am
This is a difficult path to follow, but God has given you a stong family that will lift you up when you are feeling too weak to hang onto that rope.
You have been there to encourage us, comfort us, and support us as we have dangled from that rope. It is our turn to lovingly support you.
We are praying for everyone involved. May God grant you all peace.
December 17, 2009 at 4:39 pm
C.S. Lewis certainly has a way of cutting through things, to get right to the gist of the matter, doesn’t he? I read one of his devotionals daily, brother. My prayers are with you and your family, Scott.
December 26, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Scott and Jacqie and Family,
Our thoughts, love and prayers are with all of you at this “journey time.” We’re on a journey of one day at a time. God has held us up so He will you. Spoke w/ your Mom a few days ago. Really miss them down here this yr. I know how your Dad feels about being here. I had the same feeling last yr. They are special people to us. Heart aches are so often now- this month w/passing of Gene’s sister on our way down and his nephew’s wife’s death in a car accident approx 2 wks before. News of neighbors tragedy of son’s death.
We are so grateful to have a faith in the God of heaven. Love Gene & Ruth Ann
January 10, 2010 at 12:59 pm
I think most of us have went through some trials in our lives but the most difficult ones are the trials with our parents. The ones that pampered, diapered and loved us thru thick and thin. We feel like we owe them everything in our lives. I feel the pain and sorrow of Max and Mary Jo. The Sims family are not related to me but I have felt they are my family since I spent a week with them in New Orleans. I am praying everyday for Max and hope that those of you that read this will take some time out of your day to say a small pray for someone that is very special to me and to our church. God Bless You All!!!