Patience

I took my two young children to the park yesterday evening to enjoy the beautiful weather with them, while I still had some energy. We had a great time playing 3-on-3 basketball; my 7 year old son was on my team. He made a hook shot with two older kids guarding him!

Last night I was tucking my son in bed and explained I would not have as much energy over the next 6 weeks to play basketball with him. (Yesterday was the last dose of the thyroid hormone until after the treatment on 05/31/06.) My son said that he wished I did not have the cancer. I told him that God has a reason for everything, even if we do not always know the reason or His plan. My son told me he was going to think that night what the reason is for my cancer.

Well, this morning on the way to school, my son said he thinks I have cancer so that God would teach me patience. He said I'd have to rely on God since I won't be able to take the thyroid pill. I smiled because I know that patience is an area in my life that needs work. Of course my 7 year old son probably knew that as well. I told my son he is a good thinker :)

The little boy and the surgeon

A friend sent this to me today. I hope it moves
you as much as it did me.

"Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began,
"I'll open up your heart..."

"You'll find Jesus there," the boy
interrupted.

The surgeon looked up, annoyed "I'll
cut your heart open," he continued,
to see how much damage has been
done..."

"But when you open up my heart, you'll
find Jesus in there," said the boy.

The surgeon looked to the parents, who
Sat quietly."When I see how much
damage has been done, I'll sew your
heart and chest back up, and I'll plan
what to do next"

"But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The
Bible says He lives there. The
hymns all say He lives there. You'll
find Him in my heart."

The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell
you what I'll find in your heart.
I'll find damaged muscle, low blood
supply, and weakened vessels.
And I'll find out if I can make you well."

"You'll find Jesus there too. He lives
there."

The surgeon left.

The surgeon sat in his office, recording his
notes from the surgery, "...damaged aorta, damaged
pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration.
No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy:
painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis:, "
here he paused, "death within one year."

He stopped the recorder, but there was
more to be said. "Why?" he asked aloud.
"Why did You do this? You've put
him here; You've put him in this pain; and
You've cursed him to an early death. Why?"

The Lord answered and said, "The boy,
My lamb, was not meant for your
flock for long, for he is a part of My
flock, and will forever be.
Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and
will be comforted as you cannot imagine.

His parents will one day join him here,
and they will know peace, and
My flock will continue to grow."

The surgeon's tears were hot, but his
anger was hotter. "You created that
boy, and You created that heart. He'll
be dead in months. Why?"

The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb,
shall return to My flock, for He has
Done his duty: I did not put My lamb
with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another
lost lamb."

The surgeon wept.. The surgeon sat
beside the boy's bed; the boy's
parents sat across from him. The boy awoke and
whispered, "Did you cut open my heart?"

"Yes," said the surgeon.

"What did you find?" asked the boy.

"I found Jesus there," said the
surgeon.

Author Unknown