The Journey - Part 10

I began my first of 35 radiation treatments last Wednesday—so far, so good. The expected side effects have not reared their ugly heads as of yet. And the once-a-week chemo treatments have fared well, with only mild uneasiness periodically. Nausea medications along with keeping my stomach fuelled have been tremendously effective.

This is a picture of my “mask” that I wear during the radiation treatment.

The first time they put it on me, honestly, it totally freaked me out. I repeatedly breathed the name of Jesus (reverently, of course) at least 50 times to calm down. I’m not normally claustrophobic, but this feeling of entrapment overwhelmingly caught me by surprise. The mask is a plastic web-like mold of my face. During treatments, my “spidey mask”, as I call it, is clamped tight to the table, preventing me from moving during the radiation process. I quickly realized I needed a “game plan” if I was going to be able to get through the 15 minutes of daily confinement. And of course, God, in His goodness supplied the plan. So each weekday morning at 8:45am, while strapped to the radiation altar, I approach God’s throne with my prayer petitions and offer my altar of praise for many of you. Be blessed, my friends. You are adored.

Second Chances Face-To-Faith

Mid spring of 2013, I received a text from my friend “T” saying her relative “E” would be coming to Ark City for the weekend. She said “no pressure”, but if I felt led to stop by her home, to please do so anytime. This would be my chance to finally meet “E” face-to-face and continue to sow that small seed of opportunity. God wasn’t finished with “E”, and strangely, I knew I was somehow to be a part of His plan. I immediately began to think about what I would say and how our conversation might go. I even quickly scanned my EE tract for a quick recall of bible salvation verses—and then fear set in. I’ve already spoken to him…what more can I say? What will we talk about?—I don’t want this to be awkward. Seriously God, is this really what you want me to do? The enemy had me right where he wanted…doubting, fearful and thinking about me, myself and I. So once again God had to remind me, “It’s not about you, Jacque. It’s about a relationship. I’m asking you to be obedient. Just go.” And so I did.

On my way to “T’s” home, I decided to stop and get my girlfriend a batch of fresh flowers—not only as a friendly gesture, but to draw away any suspicion to my out-of-the-blue “drop-in” visit, if needed. (Silly, I know, but I think of these kinds of things.) “T” greeted me at her door with a huge smile. She had no idea if I was coming, but I could tell she was more than delighted to see me. We immediately went to the kitchen where the family was having supper. The introductions began. First “E”—we exchanged hellos and politely shook hands—a little awkward. Then I turned to his parents who were also visiting. I was immediately embraced warmly by them, saying how happy they were to meet me and that they’d been praying for me. Now mind you, I’d never met them before—but from the outpouring of joy on their faces, honestly, you would have thought we were family. I immediately wondered what “E” was thinking while observing of all of the warm introductions. (Again, some of the oddities I think of.)

After the family finished dinner, the guys went outside for their “man time” while the ladies stayed inside for clean up duty. “T” and I had a nice visit and before long I felt it was time to leave—but not before seeing “E” one last time. God had given me this opportunity…and I still had words!

“T” and I went outside, and as we approached the group I began to tell “E” once again, how happy it was to have finally met him. There was only a slight pause in the conversation, when all of a sudden “E” began to talk. He began sharing some of his past treatment experiences, hurdles he had overcome and the future ahead. It warmed my heart to hear him talk so openly. I knew God was right there—and I just listened, waiting and praying for another divine appointment. The moments passed, conversation slowed, and I sensed the door of opportunity closing all too quickly. As I silently prayed for the right words to say, I ended our visit by saying once again, how strong my faith in God was—how He’d brought me through a very successful surgery and continues to strengthen me on the road to recovery. I also said I admired "E's" strength and honesty and would be praying for him during his journey of recovery--and hope we’d meet again someday. He actually thanked me this time! In some strange way, I felt we had bonded.

As I turned to leave, I prayed in my heart that God wouldn’t give up on “E”. God said, “Just go.” So I did. And through that, I had a second chance to share my relationship with God to a man that so desperately needs a Savior—finally, face to faith.

To be continued…