All for His Glory: August 2014

The Hill of Difficulty

by Chris

Anyone who knows me knows that one of my favorite books is The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. There’s a part in that book where Christian must climb The Hill of Difficulty. It’s a particularly steep hill, one so high & so hard to come by, that Christian eventually has to climb on his hands & knees just to scale it.

As I think about the different hardships my wife’s had to endure over the last few months, it’s the Hill of Difficulty that comes to mind because Chemo Therapy is just that. It’s a very difficult hill that must be endured at all costs whether she likes it or not. It’s a slow painful climb up a difficult hill often at times on her hands & knees. And while I may not be the one going through it myself, I do have the divine privilege of walking, climbing & crawling beside someone who is, someone very close to me whom I love very dearly. And let me tell you it is a sight to behold. The side effects alone are something to be reckoned with.

Now please understand I don’t expect you to fully understand the weight of what I've written here. How can you being removed understand what I myself struggle to comprehend daily, being in it? But I've written just the same not only to give you a simple update on the current situation but to challenge you (& me) to look at the situation from a different perspective, to see it the way God would have us to, through the lens of His Spirit.

The truth is we are all confronted with death on a regular basis, whether we see it or not. And Cindy’s condition is certainly no exception to that. We just don’t think in those terms because we haven’t learned to see our life with the eyes of understanding. I know I haven’t.

Still, every sickness, every disease, every sinful inclination motive & action you & I have is a manifestation of death. Every attempt to stop aging, change our appearance or alter our physical makeup an attempt to thwart or at the very least slow down death. We just haven’t learned to see it that way. And the culture we live in definitely reflects that.

But the reality is we all live on a dying planet that is waiting to be renewed, walk around in corrupted dying bodies that are waiting to be remade. And we hope in an everlasting kingdom that while here in a small form is still waiting to be permanently established. So while my wife IS suffering (and you can believe that she is), it is only temporary: the momentary climb up a hill that will ultimately be removed & destroyed in time. And we know that & rest in that hope together according to Romans 5:3-5.

So when you pray for us, please remember that reality & join with us by praying in the same way.

We love you all & are so grateful for your continued prayer & support in this our journey up the hill. Lord bless you according to His will
-Chris & Cindy

Prayer Requests

Please pray for:

* For the boys: During this difficult and trying time there have been lots of changes and adjustments. It has been hard. For Noah to continue to grow in therapy. Also that Noah would quickly adjust to his orthotics.

* For Chris: Patience with the boys and wisdom. He also needs grace in times of loneliness and financial wisdom. He also needs pray for extra strength as he works all day and then comes home and is Mr. Mom.

* For God to provide meals for us on the days we really need it like on chemo days.

* For Cindy: healing and strength. Also against side effects ...loss of appetite, hair loss, mouth sores, neuropathy in her hands & feet and digestion issues. Also for those days when she feels good not to do too much be rest. Also for her emotions to be strong on chemo days. 9 more to go!

* For Cindy's uncle Kurt who is battling stage 4 colon cancer. Pray for his healing and strength!