Page 81 - The Big C
P. 81

I chose to stay busy and not allow myself to be ruled by the
            dictates of my emotions – especially negative ones. I tried to
            make my day as productive and fulfilling as possible. But
            when the night falls, I lay in bed without Wilma by my side.
            The room felt cold, in need of the warmth of her presence.
            The house seemed dull. It felt like a void could only be filled
            by her effervescent personality and the sweet aroma of her
            cooking and baking. Lord, when will this parting end? When
            will my wife be finally home? Or will she?
            I’ve often wondered how I’d be able to walk through this
            valley of grief with my head remaining straight and my feet
            continually grounded had God not reached down to comfort
            and encourage me. I have never gotten so easily emotional
            just as I had been in the past few days. I shed a lot of tears,
            indeed. Yet, ironically, they were mostly tears of comfort
            rather  than  tears  of  sorrow,  tears  of faith  and  confidence
            rather than despair, a kind of trust that is based on knowing
            God and His character. He is good, and He is in control.

            I  was  sad  but  not  depressed,  worried  but  not  anxious,
            disappointed  but  not  discouraged,  and  confused  but  not
            disillusioned. Incredible as it may sound, I had peace in the
            middle of a tumultuous storm.
            I will meet with the doctors this afternoon, but I have no idea
            if  I  will  be  hearing  good  news.  I  have  confidence  in  the
            doctors’  knowledge  and  competencies  and  their  desire  to
            serve Wilma. But my full confidence is in my God, who is
            All-powerful and All-knowing. He loves Wilma much more
            than I love her. He is good, righteous, and true. Nothing evil
            nor  malice  proceed  from  Him.  He  is  sovereign.  He  acts
            according to His divine will and pleasure.

            Frankly,  my  dilemma  is  this:  I  am  totally  clueless  about
            God’s will for Wilma. I don’t know if God’s will be to send
            her  home  to  us,  or  to  make  the  hospital  or  any  form  of
            hospice her home, or to take her with Him to His celestial


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