11.27.2012

Thankful on November 27

Today I am thankful for...

153. Beautiful, heart-wrenching words in Alan Paton's novel, "Cry, the Beloved Country." 
154. Beautiful, humbling words in an email from a well-respected leader in my church's denomination who was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. I include some of his words here because I can't say them as well as he can:  

The prognosis is that medically speaking the cancer is not curable but treatable. Without treatment the average survival rate is a few months. With treatment survival is 12 to 14 months. Some folks with this kind of tumor are cured. The response to the treatment is highly individual and not predictable...
 

...This journey has been a great learning experience for me. I embrace Paul's statement of the two options. To continue to live is an opportunity to serve. To die is gain, to be with the Lord, is better far. I am ready to die and to live as he wills. He is smart, good and sovereign. I am justified by his atonement, saved by his mercy and grace, and ready to meet him. I can only imagine. He is my healer, now, later or in heaven. The outcome is going to be good because of God...

...We all have to face death one day or another. I have thought I would face it earlier, and I did, and I thought I would face it later. It may pass this time around, or not. Either way. He is good. With him as Lord, there is no bad outcome.

2 comments:

Nila said...

Hannah.... is this a leader in the CM&A? I wonder if Tom and I might know him. Are you free to tell us his/her name? Thank you, Nila

Hannah said...

Hi Nila,

It is Tim Owen; he's with the district office.