Even more uncharted!

God's Promise of Salvation

Several years ago Charlotte and I were on a week’s vacation. We spent the time away visiting various locations in Pennsylvania and New York. To help us navigate our trip we used a Garmin GPS. In those days before we used our smart phone to find our way, the Garmin required occasional updates. We found this out the hard way as the highway we were traveling didn’t appear on the GPS. Instead our car looked like it was hopelessly trying to navigate through a field. The highway was new; the technology was old and out of date.

A few days ago I wrote about “Uncharted Territory” as we enter retirement and the newly discovered health issue that Charlotte has. This past Tuesday we went to meet with the surgeon expecting to be given a date for surgery to remove the solitary fibrous tumor. Instead we received the news that the SFT is indeed a sarcoma, and while it is incapsulated and is not likely to spread, it will grow and unfortunately surgery would put the use of her left arm at risk due to the tumor’s proximity to her brachial artery, vein and nerves.

The territory is now even more uncharted. Our GPS needs a reset. Her team of surgeons and experts are meeting tomorrow to strategize the best way forward. Another MRI is scheduled to give another perspective. And so now we wait.

This morning I was praying the Morning Prayer of the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours) and the first psalm was Psalm 143. It seemed David was praying my heart’s cry.

Lord, listen to my prayer:
turn your ear to my appeal.
You are faithful, you are just; give answer.
Do not call your servant to judgment
for no one is just in your sight.

The enemy pursues my soul;
he has crushed my life to the ground;
he has made me dwell in darkness
like the dead, long forgotten.
Therefore my spirit fails;
my heart is numb within me.

I remember the days that are past:
I ponder all your works.
I muse on what your hand has wrought
and to you I stretch out my hands.
Like a parched land my soul thirsts for you.

Lord, make haste and answer;
for my spirit fails within me.
Do not hide your face
lest I become like those in the grave.

In the morning let me know your love
for I put my trust in you.
Make me know the way I should walk:
to you I lift up my soul.

Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies;
I have fled to you for refuge.
Teach me to do your will
for you, O Lord, are my God.
Let your good spirit guide me
in ways that are level and smooth.

For your name’s sake, Lord, save my life;
in your justice save my soul from distress.

I was reminded that God has been our refuge and our strength these many years. This health crisis has not thrown him off. He is still our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46).

Your prayers are greatly appreciated! God knows the way through this wilderness, and that is the bottom line!