Friends For The Journey

3.27.09 – ROM 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Joseph and I were talking this morning, wondering if any good would come out of this season of our lives. I realized that because my life has been extended beyond the original prognosis of one to one and a half years to nearly four years, I have been able to spend valuable time with my grandchildren. I am even helping home school my oldest grandson and we have had some wonderful discussions.

One day after the work was done we even watched Madagascar II and laughed ourselves silly. What a precious gift I’ve been given and I am so grateful. I am asking God to let me be able to see my two youngest children get married and to be able to see all of my grandchildren born.

This season has been one of sorting out what is really important. A lot of “stuff” has gone by the wayside and relationships with family and friends have become very important. Our marriage has become so much better because the desire to fight over petty things is gone. They are no longer important. It is much more fun to laugh anyway. This is the way it was meant to be!

I realized too that we are often put in places where we can be a source of God’s love to others. Yesterday, I saw the oncology pharmacist in the hall. She and I have been chatting off and on over the months and she is pregnant with her first child so, when I saw her I smiled and told her how great she looked. A strange look passed over her face and she asked if she could speak to me for a moment. She expressed concern that she had not felt her baby move for over 12 hours. I reached out and touched her arm in comfort and told her that perhaps he was resting after a busy couple of days, but encouraged her to have the baby’s heartbeat checked. After we said goodbye I called my daughter who is an RN in Labor and Delivery and she said she should go to triage and be checked. I called my friend back and told her and she said she would and thanked me. Later that evening she called me and I could hear the relief and happiness in her voice as she told me she could feel the baby moving again. I thanked her for letting me know and told her I had been praying for her. I hope she touched God’s love for her. I know I felt it.

The same has been happening with my oncologist’s nurse. She often gives me a warm greeting now when she sees me. We, too, have been chatting over the months and gotten to know each other better. Recently when I went in for my appointment I was recovering from the flu so, when she asked how I was doing, I told her it was a rough day. In response she put her arm around me and I felt strangely better, if not physically, emotionally. Isn’t it interesting how when we reach out in love to others it is reciprocated to us? It is my desire to carry God’s love to everyone I meet on the oncology floor or wherever I go and that good would come out of it.

I am sitting in the chemo chair as I write this, thinking of the different people around the room who need to touch God’s love. One is a teacher I am getting to know.

When I was ready to leave I went over to her and she reached out her hands, smiled and said, “Be well, my friend!” and I smiled and said the same to her. Where has God put you? Are you taking God’s love with you? After all isn’t loving God and loving others as we do ourselves what it’s all about?