“Cancer cannot steal my joy, rob me of hope, or destroy my love for life and people.”

The past decade has been some of the best years of my life. One day as I walked out of Inland Imaging after another CAT scan, I was overwhelmed with the idea of how many sick people there are….in my brief visit, the office was filled with patients both young and old. Business was good, but not so good for the customer.

When I saw a pastor at church ask for prayer for a 3-year-old beginning chemo I found myself saying, “Lord, give me this little girl’s cancer, I can handle it, she can’t.”

Bone scan days are not a fun prospect. Popping out of bed at 6:30 am is never easy.

Where can I find the resources to win the moment, so I can win the minute, so I can win the hour, so I can win one more day? This was foremost on my mind.

For me, a cup of coffee and choosing a place I call the Secret Garden Sacred Place is paramount. It is not always the same place each day.

Today, I settled in a cozy place where a picture of my daughter Jennifer was directly in front of me. On the shelf beneath this smiling miracle are Jennifer’s three Ferch daughters; Natalya, Ariana, and Isabella.

To the right, is a photo of my “all world” beautiful Susie cuddled cheek to cheek with one-year-old Natalya. This brought sunshine to my soul.

Hope-filled me, my cup “runneth over.” Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Wonderful girls have been one of God’s most precious gifts to our world. We must protect and honor them. This morning, I re-lived many memories. Jennifer has been a source of hope for a new and better tomorrow.

Isabella declared at age six, five years ago, “Poppa, you have to live long enough to see my first baby born, but not my second.” We all erupted into laughter.

We all face some form of loss. It may be depression, physical pain, loss of a loved one. The list is endless. The fact is, life is not for sissies.

Today, I will be like the Roman soldier St Paul used as a metaphor in the 6th chapter of Ephesians; Put on the full armor of God.

As I got dressed today, I thought for sure my red NBC t-shirt would represent the red badge of courage, the blue jeans; true blue character. 

The joy of the Lord is my strength. If God is for us, who can stand against us?

Let’s win the moment.

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