Finding Good in the Hard | Update on Dad

Here's what I think.

If you look close enough and long enough,

you can find good gifts from God 

in the middle of the hard.

Looking for goodness doesn't

minimize/trivialize the hard.

Hard is still hard.

However,

hard and good can actually co-exist

and frankly,

when you find good in the hard,

gentle healing touches the soul.

So so many of you beautiful people

thoughtfully ask about

and pray for my dad.

February brought along the one-year mark

into Dad's new normal,

and while he's handling it like a champ,

weariness has settled in.

 Energy is low.

Taste buds are gone.

Random weird symptoms like eye blurriness and hearing loss

happen during each week of chemo.

But overall,

comparative to so many,

his symptoms are tolerable.

Hard.

Not fun.

But certainly not brutal.

I'd say if we're on the lookout for good in the middle of our hard,

the gift of minimal side effects really is a huge gift

that we don't take for granted.

At all.

We continue to be so grateful

for the nurses and doctors

that lovingly help.

What a gift to have their kind,

attentive care.

Dad's doctor,

Dr. Lenahan,

is full of personality

and truly is gifted at interacting

with patients and their families.

(*he gave permission to post this image)

We never feel rushed when we meet with him.

He's thoughtful and kind

and truly wants to strike a balance between

fighting the tumors while also living as enjoyable a life as possible.

He teases

and empathizes

and answers every question we ask.

Honestly,

he is a good GOOD gift from God

in the middle of our hard.

We met with him this afternoon

and he was pleased

and surprised that the chemo continues to be effective.

The tumors are still slightly shrinking

-- think millimetres -- 

and as long as that continues to happen,

Dad can keep on this treatment plan.

Another good gift on a grey March day.

We continue to take things in three-month chunks.

Six treatments spread out every other Monday.

Then scans.

Then a doctor appointment to find out the results of the scans.

Dad still has the energy to preach each Sunday

and teach each Wednesday,

as well as wood carving and wood burning

and reading and studying,

all things he loves to do.

And THOSE,

my friends,

are amazing good gifts

in the middle of the hard.

Dad's a gift giver

and loved finishing up these beautiful 

wood table stands for a few of the

ladies in his Bible study.

He finds Dewalt tools to be among the 

greatest of gifts.

EVER.

But much more than tools,

the gift of friendship has touched Dad

in times of deep discouragement

over the past few years of ministry.

Art has been one of those men

that has walked through the valley

and prayed Dad through

not only his current health crisis

but ministry difficulties.

It was such a joy to personally tell Art

what he has meant to Dad.

There is nothing quite like the power of

friendship.

Good in the hard.

Dad will be taking the month of April off,

to regain strength

and hopefully let his taste buds return.

And then bring on the chemo in

May, June and July.

Time off from chemo,

yet another gift in the hard.

Dad is set to teach at Chesley Lake Seniors' camp

for a week in June and September,

as well as the joy of spending the entire month of August

up in Northern Ontario at Rock Lake.

The gift of Northern Ontario

is one of the most beautiful gifts of all.

As always,

feel free to pass along this update

to your network of friends and family

that know and love Dad.

Rest assured that if you don’t hear from dad

or myself as often in the coming months,

it’s because things are basically the same as above.

Dad occasionally sends out an email update

so if you'd like to get on that list,

leave a comment

and we'll make sure to add you.

Finding good in the hard

is definitely worth the chase.

Look for it.

Ask to see it.

And then watch for God to show you

His goodness.

Right smack dab in the middle of hard.

This much  I know,

God’s still good

and always will be!