Personal Journey Entry # 53

Dear God above, the author of the Master Plan,

You sent your Son, Jesus, to walk with us and guide us on this incredible journey of faith.

I surrendered my life to Him, and he held us in His hands, through all of the trials and tribulations, knowing that He was to grant me, 

His grace and love, and cure me of this fearful disease.

He supplied us with all of our needs: the doctors, surgeons, and staff, and above all, He surrounded us with the most incredible circle of friends and loved ones.

They bolstered our minds and bodies every day, knowing that their prayers would be answered, and my body would be healed. But most of all, He gave us the strength to know that surrendering to Him was the only path to take.

This ordeal was not just a journey of healing, but a lesson in faith. We took the leap of faith and knew that You were the answer. You rewarded us by listening to our daily prayers and shining Your light on me as the word came that we had made it to the other side.

I have not yet felt the joy and exuberance of success, as I am still waiting to see what You have in store for me in this second chance at life. Whatever it is, I am here to serve You with the same faith, trust, and love that You taught us were needed to live in Your grace.

Thank you, Jesus, and know that I will spend my remaining days with the same commitment I have made to You, as I look forward to Your guidance and infinite love. Amen

It is impossible to thank each of you, especially my Shay, who was strong enough to put up with me this year. It was an emotional and trying time, but I think, and hope, we have come out of it stronger in many ways for the challenge. Her love, patience, and generosity are off the charts, and I thank God for allowing our paths to cross. I smile, thinking it was a sign when we met a decade ago at two seats at the bar of The Holy Grail. It was fitting that in that converted church, two people set out to let their love for each other and their faith in God grow with every step. It has been an incredible adventure, and this year was but a bump in the road. I cannot wait to see what our future holds.

To my Imerman Angels and now special friends, Dave and Kathy. You have shared your experience and your love with us in ways I could never imagine. You are the perfect people for the job that God gave you, and I will draw on your example, as Dave and I now team up to mentor another on the journey, Mark, from the great northwest in Washington. Shay and I love you both and are so very glad you are in our lives.

To the rest of my incredible circle of angels who have prayed with us, been there in body and spirit for us, driven us, fed us, and kept our spirits high, your hand is reaching for the rope to ring the bell. I have used today’s image a few times, but I find it perfect in so many ways. I asked GROK to give me a picture of Jesus’ role in our journey, and it came through. He does hold the bell, and all the strings that keep us moving through life. I am sorry it took cancer for me to take the step, but I am glad that He is such a dominant part of my life.

We are not entirely done. We still have to get my heart back to beating to the right song, and I have tests scheduled to investigate a blood abnormality, but those all seem so trivial, now that I have the best team on Heaven and Earth on my side of the field. Together, we can conquer anything. 

God bless you all, and may you have a wonderful, happy, and healthy New Year.

Ray