So Speechless I Can’t Shut Up
Today’s post was supposed to be about meatloaf. And then we got some news yesterday that shook us. It was the kind of news that makes you lose focus in a good way and makes things like meatloaf & furniture makeovers seem as insignificant in this life as they really are.Someone reading this today knows what it’s like to pray for years for good news & hold on for dear life to the thread of hope you have in your heart that one day you will receive it. I want to encourage you.Ten days before Christmas in 2002, my dad was diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer. For the the first few days, my family and a lot of other people tried to come to grips with the knowledge that my dad might be gone in a few short months, due to the fierce nature of pancreatic cancer. A few days later, we were relieved to discover that his type of cancer was very rare, accounting for less than 5% of all pancreatic cancer cases. What it meant to us was more time. Statistics showed that, although there is still no cure, patients with this type of cancer usually live years rather than months before it takes their life.My dad, who is the most optimistic person I know, told me at that time that we could hold onto the hope that since he was given the extra time, perhaps a treatment would be found before it was too late for him.Since then, he’s experienced almost 9 years of daily pain that never completely goes away, procedures that offered little hope, extreme sickness & hospital stays, & doctors who had nothing to offer. He has watched countless people be diagnosed & die of cancer within that time, including Steve Jobs who had the same rare type of cancer that he has. It’s the roller coaster life of a cancer patient.This past May, he reached a very low point. He was feeling worse than ever, continually losing weight, & feeling the cancer begin to take over everything. The little help that his doctor had been able to offer was finally exhausted, and he was told again that there was nothing that can be done for him. I have to say that as much as I’ve prayed for him, I had pretty much given up about praying for that miracle treatment. But God never forgot. Within weeks of leaving the doctor’s office without any hope, a new drug was approved for his type of cancer. We immediately saw the hand of God in it as He provided a way for him to get it despite the unbelievable expense. My dad knew pretty quickly that it was helping him. He began to take less of his pain meds & other treatments. He began to feel better than he had in many years. We were thrilled, not knowing exactly how the drug was working, but just thankful it was. And then yesterday, he received the results of his routine CT scan and he was given something he hasn’t received very often in 9 years: the gift of good news. The drug has caused a significant reduction in his tumors. It was news we almost didn’t have the faith to expect. It was cold water to our thirsty souls. It was the answer God sent when we’d almost forgotten we’d asked.I can honestly say I haven’t really questioned why God has allowed this trial to come to my dad. He’s a pastor. Many people depend on him. And he has influenced thousands. Some people wonder, “Why him, when he’s needed by so many people?”. I’ve known why from near the beginning. I know it’s because God knows that no matter what he goes through, my dad will use the opportunity to glorify Him. And whether that means continuing to serve God through unimaginable physical stress or giving Him the glory when miraculous things occur, he will do that. My dad has told me several times that no matter what happens to him, his main goal through all of it is to not waste the opportunity that God has given him. Cancer. Trials. Setbacks. Victories. It’s all from Him.If you’re the one today that’s waiting for Him to answer, consider this…He may be waiting for you. To see your trial as the opportunity it is. We tend to see healing as the ultimate goal. But that’s our humanity butting in. The main thing is to know Him and then glorify Him, through our life and through our death. And then, even unexpectedly, He sometimes chooses to give you a miracle. And those are the days you don’t have to be reminded to thank Him.Here’s a recent picture of my dad with his grandkids, 5 of which were born after he was diagnosed.So, excuse me if I’m a little excited. The meatloaf can wait for another day. This just had to be said today.
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
October 25, 2011 @ 2:49 pm
julie i am so happy for you!!!!!! this is wonderful news! who cares about meatloaf?
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
October 25, 2011 @ 3:02 pm
Oh Julie, that is amazing news. Continued good wishes for your family!
c&rkoch
October 25, 2011 @ 3:08 pm
I've never commented on your blog, though I've followed it for over a year & gained TONS of inspiration from it (both home & soul related). Just wanted to say that I loved what you had to say & your perspective about life. I've been in a similar boat with both my parents, one still living & one gone. Though our faiths differ (yours & mine) our beliefs are common & I just wanted to say thank you. And congratulations, I think you deserve to celebrate! God truly does work in mysterious ways, doesn't he?
Jennifer L. Griffin
October 25, 2011 @ 3:10 pm
Praise the Lord! Your post brought tears to my eyes. Love what you said at the end about our main goal being bringing glory to Him in all things. Thanks for a wonderful reminder to always give thanks.
Tonia
October 25, 2011 @ 3:13 pm
Praise God! Julie, I am so happy for your family. God is at work all the time.
Tonia
David and Dee Dee Sterling
October 25, 2011 @ 3:16 pm
Great post and great news! Encouraged by your perspective. You're right, to God be the glory for ALL He does and allows in our lives. Now, go celebrate…but, I am thinking you need to do it bigger than meatloaf! 😉
Knit-2-Together
October 25, 2011 @ 3:19 pm
Wonderful news!! I'm so happy for you and your lovely family! How great is the glory of our God!
Suzy www.savedbysuzy.blogspot.com
October 25, 2011 @ 3:25 pm
The power of prayer is amazing! Your post just gave me chills…so happy for you and your family. The pic of your dad with the grandkids is precious!
Autum
October 25, 2011 @ 3:35 pm
Praise God for this wonderful news. Your post is so very inspiring in so many ways. As Christians, it is easy to praise God in the good times. To give him the credit for healing, but I wonder what does that say for non Christians who may be suffering. Does that make them want to love or even believe in a God who allows hurt of disease to happen. I'm not sure I am putting into words what my heart is feeling. What I want to say is thank you for not only giving praise to the Lord for this healing, but also pointing out that your father remained steadfast through 9 years of pain and never felt that God had forsaken him. Sometimes we can be a bigger influence through how we handle times of pain and suffering.
I need this reminder myself. I suffer from a chronic illness and search daily for ways to improve my health, but I'm ashamed to say, I don't spend nearly as much time in the word of God searching for spiritual healing.
Thank you for reminding me that serving the Lord should not be dependent upon weather you feel good that day or not.
Just Simply Live
October 25, 2011 @ 3:42 pm
Praise Jesus, I am so happy for your family
Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home}
October 25, 2011 @ 4:04 pm
Oh, Julie!
I'm so happy for you! Your dad looks like a real sweetheart! It's so hard to watch a parent, or anyone we love, in pain.
Continued blessings,
Barbara
Tracey
October 25, 2011 @ 4:10 pm
How wonderful! I don't know you or your family and truth be told, I have no idea how I started to follow this blog but it's days like today when I read your inspiring post on how great God is that makes me so happy! I love that God always answers prayers. Maybe not the way you wanted but they are always answered.
Deborah
October 25, 2011 @ 4:11 pm
Praise God! So happy for you, your family, your dad and those touched by his journey.
Katrina
October 25, 2011 @ 4:17 pm
Praise God! I'm so happy for your family! Thank you for sharing this uplifting story of answered prayers. I'm constantly reminded that God works in His own time, in His own ways. You're so right; glorifying Him through all that happens is the most important thing we can do!
ktkelting
October 25, 2011 @ 4:30 pm
Hey Julie, Don't know you personally but a few days ago I wrote a similar post on my blog. It would be fun if you could check it out.
http://ktkelting-lifeissimple.blogspot.com/2011/10/while-living-out-my-merry-simple-life-i.html
Kristyn @ Good Gravy Crafts
October 25, 2011 @ 4:40 pm
What a WONDERFUL gift from above! I love this, it gave me chills and also made me smile….thanks for sharing.
May God continue to bless your Dad and everyone in the World!
xx-Kristyn
Renewed Upon a Dream
October 25, 2011 @ 4:45 pm
Aww yea! More time is always a blessing! Once in a while those researchers come through with something that really helps… glad this one looks like it came at just the right time.
Gail
October 25, 2011 @ 4:59 pm
I'm sitting here ready to burst out in tears! What wonderful news, Julie! I am so happy for you and thankful for answered prayer! I know many people have been praying for your dad, but I'm so excited that it's also an answer to a prayer that I've prayed as well! What a great and mighty God we serve! Gail
Katy
October 25, 2011 @ 5:10 pm
NETS are very tricky, and your father is blessed man! What a beautiful post!
Joy
October 25, 2011 @ 5:15 pm
Oh Julie, thank you so much for this post. I NEEDED it TODAY!!! My dad died two years ago of stomach cancer. He lived 4 months after his diagnosis and every day glorified God through his suffering. It was an amazing testimony to me and many others (he was a pastor too!)
Today though, is a day in a string of days that I've been struggling with waiting. I had just about given up on the miracle or even what I really believe God has promised me. I cried all the way through your post because I know it was the Lord reminding me that in the waiting is where HE does the work.
And of course, I'm thrilled for your Dad and your family…I know how difficult it is to see him in pain. Praise God for his goodness!
A Vintage Vine
October 25, 2011 @ 5:30 pm
This was a beautiful post….Thanks so much for sharing….I pray this good news will continue for your Dad!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
October 25, 2011 @ 7:32 pm
That is wonderful, wonderful news, Julie! I am so happy for your Dad and everyone who loves him!
kathie
October 25, 2011 @ 9:35 pm
God is so, so good!! Sharing your smiles today 🙂
Becky Roode
October 25, 2011 @ 11:09 pm
FABULOUS news! Praise God!! Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Lorilee
October 25, 2011 @ 11:18 pm
Your post brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy for you and your family. I lost my Mom to a rare cancer in 1998. I miss her so much!
Blessings,
Lorilee
Lori
October 26, 2011 @ 12:20 am
Praise God and yes the meatloaf can wait! Love hearing stories like yours.
RedusRN
October 26, 2011 @ 12:36 am
I'm an oncology nurse, and have been especially depressed lateley watching the bad news come and come to my patients….this blog post meant so much to me and my spirit. Thanks for sharing. Tell your dad how happy this nurse is for his healing.
Lisa @ Shine Your Light
October 26, 2011 @ 1:34 am
Julie, I am in tears reading this happy news. I'll keep your dad in my prayers that his tumors will continue to decrease. How blessed you all are!
NanaDiana
October 26, 2011 @ 1:40 am
Julie- I am so happy for your family. I work in a big hospital and we just built a separate cancer clinic. The day to day life of a cancer patient cannot be explained to anyone that has not lived in it or with it. God bless your Dad. You are absolutely right- God is using him because your Dad will give the glory to God no matter what the quality of his life has been…and people need to see those that suffer continue to believe. I am praying for one final miracle for your Dad. xo Diana
Charisa
October 26, 2011 @ 2:31 am
What an inspiration! So happy for your family! Here's to many more years!
Kelli
October 26, 2011 @ 6:31 am
That is such great news! Thank you so much for sharing this story, and also for sharing your sweet and tender thoughts of your love for Heavenly Father. Your faith, as well as your father's, is a great example to all of perseverance through the challenges and trials of life. May God continue to bless you and your family!
Kellie
October 26, 2011 @ 11:33 am
Thanks for sharing!
I needed some good news this morning.
Sharon
October 26, 2011 @ 12:18 pm
What a Beautiful post!!!!! AMEN!!!!
Marilyn
October 26, 2011 @ 1:18 pm
Wonderful News! My heart is happy for all of you…it is always wonderful to SEE a sermon as apposed to just hearing one…I think that is what your father has accomplished in these past years. To God be the glory! Forever!
tetheredbutterfly
October 26, 2011 @ 1:33 pm
Wow this post was a great way to start my day, and so touching it brought tears to my eyes. I've been enjoying following your blog very much and want to thank you for sharing such a beautiful story. I'm so glad God has blessed your dad and family, after all this time. Thank you for being inspiring in so many ways!! God bless!
halojones
October 26, 2011 @ 1:41 pm
What a wonderful story, your right meatloaf can wait, family cannot… I wish you and your father all you deserve in life.. xx thank you for touching my soul.
The Best Decade
October 26, 2011 @ 4:34 pm
Praising God with you!!
The Cherry Family
October 26, 2011 @ 6:45 pm
Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing!!
Kem
October 29, 2011 @ 2:50 pm
beautiful
momstheword
November 5, 2011 @ 7:23 am
Oh, I am so happy for your dad and for your family! What a wonderful blessing!
My brother has fought cancer three times now, and this last time they gave him a bone marrow transplant to buy him some more time. The doctors said he had 2-5 years to live.
It's been five years and he is still alive, although robbed of much of his health and in constant pain.
However, even though the doctors said they couldn't cure his cancer, his prayer (and ours, of course) is that maybe they will come up with some new medicine or something that could cure it.
For the last few years he has had the gift of time, which many don't have, and he is so thankful for that. Even if they don't come up with new meds at least we've had that.
I love what your dad said about not wasting the opportunity God has given. Even cancer can be an opportunity, even divorce, even pain, a loss job, the death of a loved one…..even all these difficult or scary things can be opportunities to grow our faith, be a witness, and draw closer to our Savior.
What a precious father you have!
Object of Maya*ffection
November 10, 2011 @ 6:50 pm
That's amazing and awesome!
justmanette
March 8, 2012 @ 8:41 pm
I just came across your blog via Pinterest and love it! I read your story about your father and it gives me hope. My mom was diagnosed with pancreatic in March 1998 and died on Valentine's Day 1999. It is painful and debilitating and devastating. She was the healthiest person I knew until this disease took her away from us. I'm so happy to hear about your father and the progress made in this disease. Peace to you and your beautiful family!