But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore, comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5: 8-11
I have never understood people that avoid the truth. In recent weeks I have encountered well meaning folks that seem afraid to acknowledge the unpleasant truths surrounding Marc's illness -- such as... it is cancer and life threatening. I know they mean well, but telling me that I shouldn't worry and that nothing is going to happen to my husband seems a bit too assuming. Perhaps they want to comfort me or perhaps it's just too hard to acknowledge the truth. Unfortunately, it is what it is. We can't go back in time and have a re-do. We are in the fight of our lives now and we have to accept it. We cannot bury our heads in the sand and pretend it's not there. That's not what God is asking of us right now and why it is all the more important that we pray on Marc's behalf.
Sheila (top left) and John (top right) are people that aren't too concerned about what folks want to hear. They prefer the truth. They are probably the most honest, straight shooting people I know. They aren't too afraid to the call the elephant out that is standing in the room. Sheila would find ignoring the truth a waste of time. John, being from Texas and all, would find it...well...idiotic.
Early on, while we were still in the diagnostic stage of Marc's cancer, Sheila was there praying for us and bringing us meals. She, too, has helped with the kids in a pinch. But what I love about Sheila is that she is right there all the time with the truth. She isn't callous...just honest. What I love about her honesty is that it comes from a heart that knows great pain. As a teenager she lost her dad to a sudden heart attack. A couple of years ago her brother died in a motorcycle accident. Her mom is a breast cancer survivor. This woman knows how it feels to suffer great anguish. The amazing thing is that she perseveres with her faith. Her hope does not lie here on earth, but in the eternal. I have drawn heavily on her heavenly perspective in the recent weeks. She edifies my faith and gives me the reassurance that, no matter the outcome, God is in control..He loves us, and He never forsakes us.
John is a truth seeking, Chuck Norris loving, engineering, figure-it-out kind of guy. Marc and I are always encouraged and amused by his ability to easily delineate the difference between right and wrong. He is smart, ironic, and great at debating big issues. He has a point and gets to it pretty fast! Marc has enjoyed John's friendship immensely over the years. I think it's because they share fellow geek status :)
We have enjoyed years of friendship with John and Sheila. When we were single we would hit the hiking trails with John, circumnavigating mountains and spelunking old mine shafts. When we were all newlyweds we would take our horses up into the mountains for trail rides and horse camping. Now, with a passle (isn't that a Texan's word for a lot?) of kids, we find ourselves at Sunriver and well populated campgrounds, catering to nap schedules and kid activities. Oh, how life changes! In all those years, though, John and Sheila haven't changed much. We have always been able to count on them for help. We have always been able to count on them to be honest. And, now I know that we can count of them for their prayers and encouragement. These are great friends and I continue to learn so much from them. Thank you, John and Sheila, for your faith...for your hope...and your love.
With love and gratitude....
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