I made my husband and I late to church this morning, as usual today. Just after an extra long string of announcements, I was ready to dig deep into the Hebrews passage we are going through. The Pastoral Prayer was next and then we could dig in! Before the prayer, Pastor mentioned a young family, that is fairly new to our church with three little kids, just found out that the mom is terminal with cancer.
My heart stung with hurt for this family I didn’t even know. And, all too familiar feelings and mental images came to my mind of my mother dying of cancer. I wondered if that family was in church…
So, we prayed and started singing the final worship song – a favorite of mine. And then all of the sudden I noticed the family, two rows in front of me, wasn’t standing like the rest of us. Instead, they were hugging and crying. All the sudden my tears joined theirs with hurt and sorrow in my heart. They were the family dealing with terminal cancer.
I could only listen, not sing. And, to tell you the truth, I’m not sure what Pastor preached on today. My mind was fixed on the hurt they felt and wondering where my place is to help.
Should I sit quietly and pray? She has decided to not try any experimental chemo treatments, rather take the kids to Disneyland and visit as much as family until she’s too sick. Should I call her up and ask to pray with them? Should I tell her about Dr. Avalos of the Stella Maris Clinic in Mexico, the Gerson Institute, Dr. Lorraine Day or Dr. Lyn Hanshew that are helping some people survive what conventional doctor’s have no hope for. But, with the Internet FULL of all kinds of people saying they have the cure for cancer, some of who prey on the sick for money, who am I to try to introduce this family to alternative cancer therapies that are demonized by Rochester and Sloan-Kettering. At least Cancer Treatment Center’s of America has changed the tide with conventional hospitals and set a new standard by natural, complimentary therapies and encouraging the elimination of environmental toxins, eating organic, and therapeutic nutrition and supplement therapies with whole food supplements. Supplements I’ve seen to be most effective come by only a few names including Shaklee and Standard Process. I’ve worked with, talked with or communicated with these doctors in one way shape or form over the last few years. I wish I knew all these things before my mom got sick. It’s just all too much when a doctor puts a time line on your life and the clock is ticking.
But, God is good and to think of being with Jesus sooner than later is so beautiful. But, no one wants to leave a family behind. For right now I am going to keep my lips closed and my heart open to prayer for the family. I don’t know them at all. I introduced my self briefly after church and said I’d help in any way possible. I wished I had offer to pray right then and there. But, for now I will pray from my home and see where or what God leads me to do. If anyone has suggestions, do share!
Jenny said,
February 23, 2009 @ 3:05 pm
That is so sad Amy. I will be praying for this family and that God will use you and your experiences and knowledge to give the family comfort and hope. Luckily it sounds like she has the ultimate hope in Christ.