Watch Out for the Buses

 I know we often quote Bible verses out of context at our peril, but allow me this once! I really like it, maybe because of its poetic nature. Jehoshaphat is addressing the people of Israel in II Chronicles 20, beginning with verse 5,

 

Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 

This is how we felt this last week when the doctor confirmed that Tony is Cancer free and he sees no reason to think it will ever come back. “A few years ago, we would expect to see it again,” he told us. “But today with the technology we have, I’m confident that we saw all there was to see, and blasted it. Keep healthy and come back in six months.” 

 

I was reminded that this is the doctor who we told at the beginning of all this that, “We’re pretty sure God is going to heal; we’re just not sure He’s going to use you.” 

 

We did give him plenty of credit for his tools and the obvious skills he has in using them; but we also reminded him that a lot of folks have been praying for us, and if nothing else, the fact that Tony suffered no adverse side effects at all from the 39-part radiotherapy treatment is a pretty good testimony of the power of prayer!

 

As Tony said, looking back, “I can’t say I was afraid, necessarily. God, as always, has the last Word in these things. But the big thing I’m feeling now is the freedom from distraction. Nearly every day these past six months, we’ve had to structure our lives around this monster. Where can we go? What can I eat? What do I say to the family? The church? Now our lives are more, well, normal!”

 

I was trying to explain all this to our three grand boys, saying what a relief it is to be Cancer free. “Now if we just don’t step in front of a bus,” I said, almost under my breath.

 

“Mae?” my second grandchild asked, with just a hint of concern. “Can you get cancer from stepping in front of a bus?”

 

No, at least I don’t think so. But I do need to remember that we’re still as vulnerable to the thuds and thrills of life as we ever were. We’ve both had our “three score and ten”, after all, and each day from here on is just frosting on the cake.

 

But in the meantime, we’re well and truly back in the saddle, preaching, leading Bible studies, writing, and managing our newest project, The Road Rising Video Series. I’m sure you’ve heard all about it by now, but be sure to catch the latest 8-minute devotion, then hit the “Like” and “Subscribe” buttons. Here’s the link:

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxSOUhlWYXAcUxkiAqlTc3Q

 

Covid is still keeping us pretty much house bound, although Queensland (where we live) has been a lot less impacted than other parts of the country. Be assured of our prayers for you, wherever you are. We look forward with you for the day when this will all be in the rear view mirror.

 

Love ya! And watch yourselves around those buses!

 

Marsha