My Directed Path

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart" Proverbs 3:5

On Monday, millions of people from Oregon to South Carolina, looked skyward to witness a solar eclipse. The solar eclipse occurs when the moon blocks out a portion (partial eclipse) or all of the light from the sun (total eclipse).  Mary and I drove to Dahlonega, GA with some good friends and although we weren’t in the path of totality, where the total eclipse can be seen, it was still pretty amazing!

Just three days before our trip we met with Dr. Sylvester, a radiology oncologist, who suggested that there were studies that showed that treating the prostate with radiation or removing it could extend the amount of time the Lupron would be effective in controlling the cancer cells.  He added that chemotherapy could also extend this time.  Notice I’m saying “could” as opposed to “would” because both treatments were recently discussed in a conference as having merit but it was still too early to tell.

Our trip to Georgia offered several valuable rewards.  First, the 10 hour drive gave Mary and I time to discuss the meeting with Dr. Sylvester.  We have had many frank conversations over the past few weeks but a long road trip is a great way to air things out that might need additional time.  I thank God every day for bringing Mary into my life.  We met at South Shore Community Church 22 years ago and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t marvel at how God brought us together for such a day as this.

Second, spending time with good friends has a way of lightening the burden.  My cancer has not just affected my life but Mary’s as well.  To be honest, sometimes I forget that I’m not the only person on this journey.  We’re on a roller coaster and occasionally my faith wears thin which takes a toll on my wife.  Being around friends who love and care about us and who share our faith provides us a rest stop along the way.

Finally, taking in new sites and experiences revitalizes me in a way that’s hard to explain.  Watching the solar eclipse was a spiritual and emotional high that reminded me that there is a God in Heaven and that He cares about His children.  It would be hard to witness such an event and not think of Psalm 19 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

No matter where you are on your journey, take time to share your heart with those that are closest to you.  Surround yourself with people who love and care for you and remember that we have a loving Father in Heaven that gives us what we need.  “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.” James 1:17