Sunday, January 25, 2009

Good People

Uncertainty.

We don't know what's coming in the next few days. The doctors still say the mass in Sharon's stomach looks like cancer, but they are a little baffled that the CT scan came back showing only the one mass. Considering the size (about fist sized) they fully expected it to have spread in to other parts of her body. It hasn't. I don't know what that will mean, but right now we're taking it as a positive. But, come what may, we are coming to at least some level of acceptance, that we may have to build our lives around this for at least the foreseeable future. The reason we are able to do that is because of each of you. 

Sometimes, when you stare into the darkness, you can't see anything else around you. But, when your world comes crashing down, you find -- I have found -- that there are so many people out there to bear you up. Thank you to each of you for your prayers and kind thoughts on behalf of my little family. I beg you to continue. 

I have an old friend who is going through a very similar situation right now. She asked why bad things happen to such good people. I'll tell you what I told her:

I don't know why bad things happen to good people. I suppose bad things happen to everyone. But, I believe that it's the good people that get us through the tough times. 

There are a lot of good people out there. 

I know, I've heard from so many of you. 

Thank you.
 

20 comments:

Corey~living and loving said...

oh dear....I'm sorry that I'm just coming into this. I was away from the blogs this weekend.

I am sorry for this awful thing,and I will send prayers your way.

It sounds like you have a lot of support, and that is a wonderful thing.

Take good care of YOU, as well!

Terri said...

You are so right about having good people to get you through this. Just from reading the few posts of yours I've read, I sense that you probably have a pretty strong network of friends around you. Call on them, ask for help. You get to fall apart at some point, and your friends will be there to pick up the pieces.

Corey is so right, you have to take care of yourself so you can do what needs to be done.

Thinking of you and Sharon.

imbeingheldhostage said...

I believe bad things happen to good people to make them better people. You can't have empathy if you haven't had a few rough patches yourself. And I think you reap what you sow-- you have been a good person to many out here, that's why you are seeing the returns. Know that I am only an email away (which makes the ocean seem so much smaller) and your family is in our family's prayers.

Alex @ I'm the Mom said...

"I believe bad things happen to good people to make them better people. You can't have empathy if you haven't had a few rough patches yourself."

I couldn't agree more. Lots of hugs and prayers coming your way from our family.

Aaron said...

Why good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people.

In my life, if I have learned one thing, it is that this life is a test.

If you are asked to endure the loss of a loved one, their test is over, your test continues.

Of course we hope that won't happen, we pray that won't happen, but in the end....this life was created as a test.

A test of emotions, character, tenacity, hope, faith, love, charity and friendship.

I find, when I am faced with adversity, that if I pull myself out of the muck, clear my mind, breathe, settle down a bit, think about and feel for those things that are really important....the answers to the test appear. The answers are sometimes clear, easy to follow, helpful and entreating....sometimes they are not what we want.

We (and I speak for those whom I know and those I don't) are with you and Sharon in this test. There is no cheat sheet to share, or answers that will make everything better today.....but we are willing to help.

Alma 12:24

Kat said...

I think bad things happen to everyone. This is life. Bad things happen because life is not perfect. The only perfect place is heaven.
Good people thrive even when bad things happen. I believe you and your family will thrive in this situation.
And of course, you are all in my prayers.

KatieZ said...

Glad to hear you are a little more positive today!

Just remember that the Lord will not give you more than you can handle. And it's not that bad things happen to good people, it's just that He gives those good people what He knows they can handle.

You and your family are strong, and no matter what happens you WILL get thru this! You cannot do it alone, but with His help and the help of family and friends to lean on, you and Sharon will get thru this!

Pam Emmons said...

God never said it would be easy, He only said it would be worth it.

I think Aaron summed it up well. He seems to know just what to say. He must be like, your best friend or something :)

Lots of love, lots of prayers, and know you can both call us when needed.

Cajoh said...

Very well put. I am glad that things are looking somewhat positive. I have a similar statement: "when you're stuck in a hole— who's looking in" Even if you seem stuck in your life, there are others who can reach down and lift you up.

Good luck with dealing with those challenges which now face you.

Melissa said...

Oh my goodness, Chris.... I am sorry that you guys are having to deal this... we are going through something similiar (my Joe just found out he has Leukemia) and I know how you feel, being on the other side, tryign to help your partner ease their fears!!
I will keep you in my prayers!!

Holly said...

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about this. I hope your family gets good news on Wednesday. Sending prayers and good thoughts....

Belle (from Life of a...) said...

We're still here for you...anxiously awaiting the next update and praying for good news.

Lindsay said...

If I am in shock by reading this, I can only imagine your shock. I will be praying for you and your family during this difficult time -especially the time of uncertainty,or the unknown,which always seems to be the worst.

Straight to Your Hart said...

Your heart is as big as a fist...and that is what I am feeling for you and your family. My heart is hopeful, sad, and beating.

Everyday I awake to a beating heart. Pure faith in knowing I have been given another day. I have no idea what the Lord has in store for me...I only wonder..am I living up to it? The trials and hard times I am given...am I living up to them? I hate trials, but I'd hate it more knowing I did not live them UP!!

You have brought such peace to my mind with your well written posts...God bless you and your sweet family. Prayers being sent UP that comfort and peace may still your beating heart.

Sharon said...

Thank you all so much for your kind words, prayers and well-wishes. I am very buoyed up by all of you. Most of you are strangers to me and that makes it all the more encouraging that there are so many good people out there that care so much about others. Thank you, again. Sharon

Unknown said...

I will be thinking about you and your wife tomorrow. Please let us know what they say about the biopsy. We will pray for the best news possible! Love, Angela Jordan

WILLOW TREE said...

I came over from In The Gutter, sorry to hear you're in the storm. The eye Will come; keep your head down and wait for it. When the still comes, take a deep breath so when you go back under you have enough air (grace, mercy, peace) to sustain you.

Remember some days the victory is to STAND. You don't have to take any ground, but don't give any up either. Keep standing. Keep praying, keep knowing, that our Father in Heaven has a plan for you, of Hope and a Future (Jeremiah 29:11).

Blessings, Carolynn

Tara R. said...

I came over from Imbeingheldhostage... I'm sending along my prayers for you and your family too.

Honey Mommy said...

Best of luck to you both. I'll be thinking about you!

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

You will have my prayers through all of this.