Bubbles in my think tank

The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Centerhosted an event to celebrate Cancer Survivors yesterday.We took my dad whois a 1 1/2 year survivor of AML (Acute Myoblastic Leukemia). This time last year we were awaiting results from yet another test to make sure he was still in remission. Still, every time he has a doctors appointment he worries. He went into Vanderbilt University Medical Centerat the beginning of December 2005 and came out of the hospital clear of the cancer. Talk about a miracle. Learning what I did about cancer...any cancer...I honestly believe that whomever goes into remission is a walking miracle and living testament of a living God.

Sidenote: In church yesterday Brady told us that suffering and evil aren't put aside because you are a Christian. In my Tuesday, June 5, post, I talked about Romans 8: 28-29..."We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son." If you read that post you read that this verse doesn't mean that because you're a Christian everything is going to turn out the way you want it to. It doesn't mean that nothing bad will happen to you. Bad things happen to Christians all the time. Sin's entrance into our lives in Genesis brought suffering and separation from God and the randomness of evil FORCES us to live by faith.

I saw more faith yesterday in that room full of people with some sort of cancer than I have in some churches. It was amazing.

Ron Williams, an 18 year cancer survivor, was the speaker yesterday. At 15, an avid soccer player and member of the U.S. National Soccer Team, he was diagnosed with Osteogenic Sarcoma, a malignant tumor of the bone. Soon thereafter doctors discovered that the tumor had metastasized to his right lung and his dream of playing in the World Cup for the U.S. was shattered. He underwent surgery to remove the tumors in his lung and later had his left leg amputated below the knee. Since then he's never questioned his life being back to normal. He beat the cancer but his life has since been anything BUT normal. After his diagnosis he attended Camp Sunshine , a camp in Georgia that provides recreational, educational, and support programs for children with cancer and their families, every summer. At 21 he became a counselor and since 1999 he has served on the Camp Sunshine Board of Directors. Although Ron could no longer play soccer he didn't give up sports. He competed in disabled water skiing competitions and his senior year moved from Georgia or Florida for better training and to compete in national water skiing events.

To this day he still holds two world records in water skiing: the World Disabled Slalom and the World Disabled Jumping. He found another sport he was good at in cycling and eventually raced on local, state, and national levels. He was named to the U.S. Paralympics Elite National Disabled Cycling Team and trained for the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, Australia. Ron raced in two events on the track and one on the road. He finished 5th in the 1km time trial, 7th in the 4km pursuit, and 9th in the 78km road race. These days, along with his "Setback, Survival, and Success" speaking engagements, he's training for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China. Why did I tell you all this? Because he NEVER gave up. Even when his hopes were shattered at 15 he did not give up.

A microphone went around the room for those that wanted to stand to tell about their illness. Almost ALL of the people that stood yesterday mentioned, and some SEVERAL TIMES, the COMPLETE faith they had in Jesus Christ during all they've endured with CANCER. Having Him made their lives and their disease so much more bearable. And though some of them probably wanted to give up at some point, they didn't. And they were there yesterday to tell everyone about their survival. It was emotion overload but I felt so happy for these strangers that I just wanted to jump up and shout 'AMEN'! I saw men, women, and what was more heartbreaking to me, children, that had or has some type of cancer. Most there had been without cancer for a while. Some had just gotten news of remission and some were just diagnosed with cancer again after having been in remission. One man had just been diagnosed with cancer for a third time and this time was told it was terminal. He stood to tell his family and his friends and his doctors that whatever happened, this time he was ready to go. I didn't know if that meant he knew the Lord or not. By this time my dad was almost hysterical and could no longer take the emotion so we had to leave. I've been thinking about this man since yesterday. And I've prayed for him and his salvation. I prayed that he has a friend or family that can share Jesus with him. There is so much hope when you have Christ in your life....and I remember when I didn't how hopeLESS I felt. I'm so glad I will never have to feel that way again....whenever my time comes to go I'll be ready.

If you know someone with an illness, not just cancer but any illness, that is affecting their life, encourage them. Talk to them. Help them find the ONE that will truly make their illness better and their spirit new.