Three years ago today I had my left kidney removed. I had been diagnosed a couple of months earlier. Before I could deal with the cancer I ended up having two open heart surgeries. The three major surgeries I had in 2007 have become a defining moment in my life. In no particular order here are some of the things I’ve learned:
I am loved. Don’t get me wrong, I knew that before I got sick. The late Tony Snow once said the great thing about getting sick is “you find out how many people love you.” I experienced the same thing in spades. I heard from people in every church I served, colleagues and friends from all across the country. My family was (and is) amazing. Friends, ministry partners and our incredible church family performed countless acts of love to me and our family.
Prayer is important. My prayer time became precious to me. When you spend 35 days and nights in a five month period in the hospital you have plenty of time to talk to God. At times it was tough. I was frustrated, mad, lonely and had a “why me” moments. At other times, my time with the Lord was tender, comforting and assuring. The depth of my prayer life was never better.
The breath of prayer astounded me. My family and I heard from friends and churches from California to Florida. Friends sent us notes and cards from all over the world. We heard from a friend studying at Oxford and a colleague of my wife had my name added to a Vatican Prayer Service. Friends called and prayed with us over the phone. It was precious to us and is something I’ll never forget.
Make everyday count. No more wasted days doing nothing. I’m not talking about never resting, in fact since those trying days three years ago I’ve learned the importance of the daily power nap. What I mean is the importance of investing my life in the right things. The things that really matter: Family. Friends. Relationships. Churches. Leaders. I’m going to invest every day God gives me to those things that truly matter.
My friend David and I met when we got sick. We both went to Baylor and even to the same church but didn’t meet until we were both in the same hospital. By God’s grace I made it through. David didn’t. Last year we celebrated his homecoming. I don’t know why God brought me and not David. But I do know this: Every day is a gift. And I am determined to make it count.
I’ll see David soon enough.
I am loved. Don’t get me wrong, I knew that before I got sick. The late Tony Snow once said the great thing about getting sick is “you find out how many people love you.” I experienced the same thing in spades. I heard from people in every church I served, colleagues and friends from all across the country. My family was (and is) amazing. Friends, ministry partners and our incredible church family performed countless acts of love to me and our family.
Prayer is important. My prayer time became precious to me. When you spend 35 days and nights in a five month period in the hospital you have plenty of time to talk to God. At times it was tough. I was frustrated, mad, lonely and had a “why me” moments. At other times, my time with the Lord was tender, comforting and assuring. The depth of my prayer life was never better.
The breath of prayer astounded me. My family and I heard from friends and churches from California to Florida. Friends sent us notes and cards from all over the world. We heard from a friend studying at Oxford and a colleague of my wife had my name added to a Vatican Prayer Service. Friends called and prayed with us over the phone. It was precious to us and is something I’ll never forget.
Make everyday count. No more wasted days doing nothing. I’m not talking about never resting, in fact since those trying days three years ago I’ve learned the importance of the daily power nap. What I mean is the importance of investing my life in the right things. The things that really matter: Family. Friends. Relationships. Churches. Leaders. I’m going to invest every day God gives me to those things that truly matter.
My friend David and I met when we got sick. We both went to Baylor and even to the same church but didn’t meet until we were both in the same hospital. By God’s grace I made it through. David didn’t. Last year we celebrated his homecoming. I don’t know why God brought me and not David. But I do know this: Every day is a gift. And I am determined to make it count.
I’ll see David soon enough.
