The Testimony of Life
Early in the morning of May 11, my mother awoke very ill. The trip to the emergency room revealed a mass. Scans were run and appointments made. One week later a biopsy diagnosed cancer. Surgeons were summoned and we readied for a journey through chemo therapy and radiation. We’ve google, read the pamphlets, taken notes, asked our questions.
Quietness descended over the original six Joneses. Saying things out loud made them real and speculation about other’s thoughts and concerns seemed disrespectful and vain. There was a wedding and a graduation in the coming days and mom let it be known that those things were far more important to her than the inconvenience of a few disorderly cells wreaking havoc in her body, so we proceeded accordingly.
The night dad announced mom’s diagnosis I hung up the phone and cried the tears of a heartbroken child. I knew he was continuing to make calls and inform extended family and others who needed to hear the news first hand. I contacted my pastor, shared my heart and was given the gift of comfort. We called our girls and my husband called our friends and asked them to lift us all to the Throne of God. They did, we felt it.
The morning after learning of the cancer I sent my parents a text. It went in part like this:
“I hope you and mom were able to rest. All my senses are on high alert and I suppose the same is true for you. Love you big.”
Dad’s reply, “We both rested and are up and getting ready for another day to live under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. That is good.”
Love never fails. Mom and dad celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary a few weeks ago. They aren’t perfect, but they have love. They love the LORD, therefore they serve together with one common purpose, to evangelize the lost and minister to all. They have practiced I Corinthians 13. It isn’t age, gender, ethnic or socio economic specific, yet it IS very specific. Be patient and kind, preserve dignity with honor and humility, put self aside and protect others, be trustworthy, faithful, and DON’T KEEP SCORE! Love must happen. In order for mom to regain health and have quality of life dad must give her the resources and opportunity. It will cost him. He must stay home within hearing distance. Not an easy task for a social man on the go, but love in its highest manifestation means sacrifice. As their children, we each have a role to play. Dad sends group texts so we each have equal information. We must love and trust with transparency allowing mom and dad to remain strong and supported. God has called each of us equally in this sojourn but not to an identical task. Keeping score inhibits our gain and so it has no place where love reigns supreme.
Our lives are our testimony. You cannot separate where your heart lies and where your feet travel, they go together. When mom and dad joined together in Holy matrimony they did not know what life would hold, but they knew what they would do, they would trust, obey and love. They are no more aware today of tomorrow’s doings, and still, they know what they will do. They will live under the Lordship of their Savior, and their four children will follow their path well lit with Son-light.
Trusting Like Never Before,
Gretchen
Praying for Sandy today… but even more for the rest of the Jones Clan.
Thank you so much. God has shown His face and given us great peace. Mom and dad are amazing and it really shows at times like these.