God and Cancer: See you later, Dave

My friend, Dave, died this morning. I suppose some would question the label friend because we haven't seen each other in more than a year but that didn't change the fact that I loved him or that I prayed for him and Kirsten, his wife.

I met him several years ago when he was struggling to understand who he was in Christ. He thought he was a believer but someone from the Evangelism Explosion ministry came to his door and just explained the relationship that Christ has with us. Dave fell in love with Christ. It was a love relationship that I completely understood and that made us great friends.

Dave worked with me in the Evangelism Explosion ministry as long as he was in Rosamond. We spent hours together going from house to house and sharing our mutual love of Christ. It was so good to be able to look at someone and know they knew Christ the same way you do. He was a rare Christian.

Dave and his family needed to move on and God had other things for them to learn. Certainly, this has been a difficult time for them with Kirsten's cancer. And we assumed that Dave would have to be strong for Kirsten. As always, God knew what he was doing. He grew Dave to a new place in his walk, even when it seemed he might leave the path. Dave is God's child and God loves him deeply.

I thought I would beat him to heaven. Now I will have to wait for God to bring me home before I will see him again. I can wait. My friend is still inside of me. We still share the same love for Christ. Nothing has really changed.
See you later, Dave.

Love Marj.

Random Thoughts

February 17, 2010
Today I have turned 63. That may not seem like much but I will spend the day with surgeons and oncologists. This has become a way of life. Some don't understand the joy that I have but at least I am here to spend this day. That is a miracle.
February 17, 2009
Today is my birthday. Who would have thought? I will spend it working then visiting the homes of people new to our church. Can't think of a better way to spend it. I never thought I would see 60 and now I am 62. God has been very good.
February 5, 2009
It's been raining for two days and I have cabin fever. Stuck inside and no creativity. I keep planning to get outside and work because everything I do is outside. I put on my outside clothes and wait. It still rains. Oh well. We need the rain. I just wanted to tell you that the tumors have shrunk. The doubling of the chemo has had some positive effect on the tumors. Those I can palpate, are smaller and the side effects from the other tumors has decreased. The down side is that it is also lowering my blood counts so I am anemic and that makes it hard to work physically hard. If it keeps raining, who would know? Just wanted to say Hi. Love, Marj.

December 25, 2008
This has been a good Christmas in many ways but it has brought up an interesting side thought. I feel responsible for the grief my death will cause. I have already grieved my death and am on the other side but others have not. I think of my husband and many close friends who have not stepped back from a dying friend. They are my lifeline and I love them but I cannot fix this. They will have to grieve in their time. I must let God do it when it is time. I know He has done it for me.
December 5, 2008
I am off chemo for a week. (my idea). Then will start back at twice the strength. Many of the tumors in the abdomen have stayed stable in the last two months but some have grown 25%. Those that we can feel, and are growing, seem to be growing a cystic growth that may not be cancer. No one seems to know if that is what the body does to protect itself or if it is pre cancerous. In any event, the stuff that makes me sick we will continue at twice the rate. Hmmmmm.
November 17, 2008
I was reading of the crucifixion of Christ today and was struck with how Christ could see the redemption of the cross and overlook the offense of the cross. As I look at my own life I realize how easily I look at the offense, or assumed offense. I do not automatically see the redemption or forgiveness. I do not see the good in the thing. I see the offense. It is easy for me to see the offense of cancer but hard to see the redemptive quality. This is where I must focus.
November 15, 2008
It has been an interesting week. My digestive system has stopped me from any evening activity all week. These are the ministries that I think define me. I am surprised at the ease of giving in to my body. I am not depressed or angry. God has graced me during this week. The time with Lee has been sweet. I will try to minister next week. Marj.

God and Cancer

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See you later, Dave - January 14. 2009

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