That has been our family motto since the day Sam was diagnosed. “Today was a good day.” None of us know what tomorrow will bring, and while we can try to prepare for it, worrying about it wastes the one day God has gifted us with; this day. So let’s focus on today and count your blessings. Tough to do in this Covid-19 world we find ourselves in. Even tougher to do when the woman from the lab calls you and says your son is dying of brain cancer.
For the record, Sam was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme. If you’re not familiar, Google it and then duck, because the statistics will hit you right between the eyes. The median survival is 14 months. Ted Kennedy died of this disease in 15 months. John McCain died of this disease, in 13 months. My wife Cathy died of this disease. In 17 days.
When we were told of our son’s diagnoses our family was devastated. More than that, our community, friends, neighbors, church, work and school – all felt the sting of “oh no, not again…” We began to lean on two things at the same time: Great science and great faith. Both served us well, to say the least. The scientists we were able to avail ourselves of have been nothing short of brilliant. They quite literally saved our son’s life. And the faith that has been the foundation of our lives and our family, was the only firm ground on which we could stand throughout this experience.
The people in our lives started to pray. Oh Lord, did they pray. We heard from people in other countries who were “praying for Sam”… It lifted us in ways we could never express and we will always be grateful for the love and prayers offered up for our family.
And now today, Sam is free of cancer. He has stopped using the medical device he wore for 4 years. He is 98 months into this journey that was supposed to end at 14. He has no visible cancer in his body. He is healthy and finishing freshmen year at college. Amen and Amen.
So, was this a case of “prayers answered”? Did “our prayers work”? Should we “thank God for this miracle”…?
Yes. And no.
I can’t help but think that we prayed for Cathy. We prayed for Matt. My guess is that Senator Kennedy’s and McCain’s families all prayed for them as well. Tonight, in the hospital rooms all over America – and the world, people are praying. “Please God, heal my son. My wife. My friend.” If they die, does that mean God said, “No”? Does that mean that our prayers for Cathy and Matt weren’t good enough or righteous enough to sway the Almighty? That Sam lived, and beat a “terminal” diagnoses, does that mean that our prayers actually convinced God to change His mind and let Sam live?
I don’t believe that.
That we pray brings God pleasure, but it’s more for us than Him. Prayers connect us. They help us be in relationship to our God. They offer US comfort, not Him instruction. They serve not as some cosmic wishing well, but rather as a way to lament, cry out, confide, and connect to our Savior and God. Our prayers are always heard and always answered through Grace and forgiveness and the invitation of eternal life.
God has His plans for us. He has plans for Sam. He has plans for all those in the hospital rooms, both the sick and their loved ones. He has plans for you. They are revealed to us bit by bit, day by day. I believe we are to seek out His plans and try to live up to them, rather than asking Him to “make some adjustments”. We are to bring Him glory, serve His people and give Him thanks. Always.
And we are to recognize when today was a good day.