We got to talk and she told me that she knew of a sister in Sri Lanka (purposely leaving the details out and I hope I got the basic information correct) who had cancer and asked her to read my blog. 2 things to mention in this case and firstly, it is encouraging for me to know that this sister is reading my blog and secondly, that she is recommending my blog as an encouragement to others. I don’t want to misquote what this sister had said except to know that she had though my blog would served as an inspiration and a source of encouragement for the sister in Sri Lanka. I guess in this way, part of the purpose of my blog had been served and all glory to God.
Initially, I had wanted to start the blog only as a mean for disseminating information concerning the progress of my cancer therapy rather than having to answers queries and concerns individually. On reflection and since I loved to write, I thought why don’t I make use of this opportunity to write about my thoughts and again initially, I thought I would just focus on my own thoughts, leaving out the politics (that I still do) and maybe just adding some spiritual elements. Let’s just say that the tremendous amount of support from those around me both emotionally and spiritually had made me realised that I do not walk alone in this journey and it makes me focus on God as well. As the phrase goes, the rest is history.
For those who had followed my blog and/or prayed for me, I thank you and I ask that Jesus will bless you (even if you do not believe in Him) for your concerns and prayers. Through my journey there is always one constant and that is Jesus.
I was reading an article in the paper about a cancer patient and his journey and how he had written many letters to the Forum page. In this article, the author wrote about this person’s (who is a Buddhist) annoyances at the Oncologist whom he had consulted and who asked to kneel and pray with him and I hope I don’t get into any trouble by quoting this person when said in a separate letter that “The sanctity of life has no meaning when life itself has no meaning. People with terminal illness can only look forward to endless misery and suffering”.
I had purposely left out details of the articles lest I get into trouble and as a disclaimer, it is not my intention to trampled upon nor disregard this person’s personal thoughts and feelings and at no point am I trying to cast disdain on his testament and the memories that the family and friends has of him and he must be well regarded for the author of the article is a school-mate of this person.
I am not going to comment on that Oncologist’s wish to pray with this person as it is within this person’s prerogative to receive or reject the offer of prayer regardless of religious affiliation. I write what I am going to write only as my personal thoughts, feelings and beliefs but having received the “trigger” while reading the article. I do hope I don’t get into trouble for blogging about it. The following is purely my musing. I do not know the context of the letter that this person had written but I am taking the quote at "face-value".
If life has no meaning then since the day that we were born, there is no meaning for our existence. Perhaps in this case, it is about the “sanctity” of life but then again if there is no meaning to life, then where forth comes the notion of “sanctity” of life. Every life is precious regardless whether they are the foulest of the foul or purest of the pure and again regardless of religious affiliation. From a Christian perspective it is precisely the reason for Christ’s sacrifice that He died once for ALL upon the cross. Perhaps it is true that there are those with terminal illness who are dying slow and painful death while suffering endless misery. I am not at the stage where I can say that I know or experienced or that I am suffering endless misery but my belief and trust in God will carry the day. Am I presumptious? No, absolutely not but therein lie the mystery of what we call “faith” that is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1) (NASB)
I have seen people passed away from cancer and my mother-in-law was one of them. I know that at her very end, she must be in agony but out of her mouth, not a single word of complain about the pain for she had delivered her life to Jesus. She had seen angels, she spoke Jesus’ name and she knew that she had done her part as mother to her children and daughter of God. There was pain and suffering but no misery for Christ had borne that for her and there was peace on her face when she passed while the rest of us mourned.
What will be my lasting testament? Read my blog… it is all there.
By the way, I had started writing to the Forum page about 3 weeks ago. So far, I had written only 2 letters and one of them was published in the online edition of The Straight Times.
I leave you with this hymn and In God We Trust.
BLESSED ASSURANCE
Phoebe Palmer Knapp (1839-1908)
Public Domain
Verse 1:
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine:
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God;
Born of His Spirit, wash’d in His blood.
Chorus:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Saviour all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Saviour all the day long.
Verse 2:
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Verse 3:
Perfect submission all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
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