Thanksgiving this year was spent with Rob's side of the family. This means that little Ellie got to celebrate her first Thanskgiving with her new cousins Marshall and Preston, as well as her older cousins, Addie, Bella and Barrett. (I guess they are all "new cousins" since Ellison is the newest of them all). It was a blast to get the kiddos together.
Thanksgiving this year was also bittersweet. As we (Heather's mom, Aunt Mary and I) went to dinner on Saturday night for Heather's birthday, there was the obvious absence of her dad. Although his physical presence was not there at the table, his spirit definitely joined us as we ventured up to his favorite place to eat, Charlie Newton's.
As we looked to give thanks for all the blessing we have been given, we were at the same time finding it difficult to not ask the question, "Why?" And although this grief is something that is natural, healthy, and indeed necessary, we must not allow the temptation for us to become the victim overcome our ability to give thanks.
Ever since Jim's diagnosis, and more definitely since his passing, I have become much more aware of the presence of cancers in other's lives. For many, it is indeed Cancer that threatens their freedom, happiness, and even life. I hate the fact that this vicious and insidious disease has permeated so many families of those that I love. My heart breaks when I hear of another falling victim, well before there due, leaving family and friends to mourn their loss. Even this past week, as I learned of Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty (Pastor of Victory Christian Center), after only being diagnosed for one month (30 days) (4 weeks), falling victim to lymphoma cancer; I was left shaking my head, asking the question "Why?"
So for us as a family, we gave thanks for the 16 months we had to celebrate life during the battle with Jim's cancer. We gave thanks that we were given as much time as we were; that Jim survived two near death trips to ICU and 6 weeks in the Hospital. We gave thanks that we had received as much encouragement as we did from friends and family. We gave thanks that our Faith had been firmly planted in the Word prior to this trial so that it could withstand the grueling months ahead. We gave thanks that we are loved by God, and nothing we do can change that. We gave thanks that we have the freedom to look to Him, shake our heads, and ask "Why?" without fear of failure. We gave thanks for the beautiful baby girl we received and have fallen so in love with. We gave thanks that we did not, do not, and will not allow cancer to be the headline that defines our story, but rather only a chapter about a trial we overcame.
In James 1: 1-17, James writes about both trial and temptations. "2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.....12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full‑grown, gives birth to death."
As we studied this scripture this past Sunday, the subtle difference between a trial and temptation was highlighted. A trial is used by God to build one's character. Temptation is caused by our own sinful desires and results in tearing us (and or others) down. But also note that both are going to happen. "Whenever you face trials..." and "When tempted..." The scripture does not say "if," but rather it says, "when."
We give thanks for the trial that this cancer has and is putting us through. For we are promised that the testing of our faith develops perseverance, maturity, and inherits the crown of life. However, for many others folks, there is something else that acts as disabling as cancer. Whether it be an addiction, pride, dishonesty, greed or whatever else, "it", like cancer, strips them of their freedom, happiness, and even life. This temptation, unlike a trial, does not come from God, but rather from our own evil desires; desires which become sin and lead to death. Like I mentioned above, my heart breaks for those who are fighting cancer, and likewise, my heart breaks for those that have given into their evil desires handicapping their ability to live a full and abundant life.
As we move from the season of giving thanks into the season of Christmas, I pray that you and I alike, will have hearts that no longer seek selfish and evil desires, but instead may we have hearts of compassion, love and forgiveness.
