It's been a while. I've had a few bad weeks in terms of side effects. They are lasting longer as I go on. Also, my allergies have been wreaking havoc with my breathing, which has taken a toll on my walking, my sleep, and just in general. I was given the ok to use a decongestant, which helped immensely, last week. On Tuesday , I was told to stop using it because it's pushing my blood pressure too high. Ugh! On the bright side, I have been told I can get the Covid vaccine. First, though, they want to know if I got the real vaccine or the placebo back in July when I was in the trial. I don't think it makes much difference myself, since it has been so long, but whatever. I'm just excited that I don't have to wait for herd immunity that I'm afraid will never come. I'll still have to wear a mask, but that's ok. At least I'll be able to leave my house! I should be getting another scan in mid- April, too, to see how the chemo is going.
The sermon series at church has focused on Genesis, more specifically, on the fathers and mothers of our faith. Chris Denning wrapped up the series with Joseph. He talked about how Joseph found favor in the eyes of the Lord. While enslaved and having all sorts of bad things happening to him. The delivery stuck with me: (like checking off a list) "I'll take blessings and enslavement..." Wow. God's favor included enslavement and being forgotten. That is a tough pill to swallow. But Joseph had to go through those steps to become the blessing not only to his family, but also to many people who would have starved had God not given him the interpretation of dreams and brought him to Pharaoh. Why that path, though? We don't really know. Maybe Joseph wouldn't have obeyed if his path had been easier. Maybe he'd have been corrupted by the power and wealth to which he was elevated. But instead, he forgave and reconciled with his brothers, and brought them and his father to Egypt to be near him. So now I'm thinking, "I'll take blessings, and cancer..." Where is God leading? And for how long? I don't know. I only know that I have to trust God, offer forgiveness and ask for it where needed, and be open to reconciliation. After all, reconciliation is my word of the year.
The sermon series at church has focused on Genesis, more specifically, on the fathers and mothers of our faith. Chris Denning wrapped up the series with Joseph. He talked about how Joseph found favor in the eyes of the Lord. While enslaved and having all sorts of bad things happening to him. The delivery stuck with me: (like checking off a list) "I'll take blessings and enslavement..." Wow. God's favor included enslavement and being forgotten. That is a tough pill to swallow. But Joseph had to go through those steps to become the blessing not only to his family, but also to many people who would have starved had God not given him the interpretation of dreams and brought him to Pharaoh. Why that path, though? We don't really know. Maybe Joseph wouldn't have obeyed if his path had been easier. Maybe he'd have been corrupted by the power and wealth to which he was elevated. But instead, he forgave and reconciled with his brothers, and brought them and his father to Egypt to be near him. So now I'm thinking, "I'll take blessings, and cancer..." Where is God leading? And for how long? I don't know. I only know that I have to trust God, offer forgiveness and ask for it where needed, and be open to reconciliation. After all, reconciliation is my word of the year.