Puddles Along the Way

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Recently while in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, we came upon this puddle across our path.

Giggling, I made Fisherhubby stop so I could take a photo for my blog. (He has ceased to wonder about such stops as they occur too frequently now for him to even question them.)

When we, Sister Pam and I, were girls our dad had a propensity for taking off across the Northwoods, where we lived at the time, on tiny "tire track" fire lanes much to our mother's worry and chagrin. In those pre-cell phone days the possibility of getting stuck in the middle of nowhere on a fire trail with no means of summoning help was a reality which she was NOT prepared to face.

Once we did just that - - - got stuck in a puddle just about this size - - - on a fire trail in the middle of no where. Needless to say, we are not still sitting there for Dad got us out sans help from any other living soul - - - but Mother didn't stop letting him hear about the folly of fire trails all the way home.

Sometimes in life, the puddles that cross our path are not as benign as this. Sometimes they are raging torrents.

Sometimes they threaten to capsize our little boats.


Meet our friends, Mary and John.

A year ago a raging torrent flowed right over their "fire trail." John was diagnosed with cancer and the prognosis was rather bleak to say the least. After surgery and treatment, the cancer was subdued only to return, or so we thought.

Actually as it turned out the second bout of cancer was of a completely different kind, unrelated to the first episode. This time it was a very virulent, fast growing, rare, no-name variety.

A team of 30 doctors at Mayo poured over his case, debating what to offer as treatment. They had very little hope to offer when it was decided that John would undergo radiation - - - very STRONG radiation - - - treatments.

Mary wondered if she would be a widow before they even reached their first anniversary.

But PRAISE GOD FROM WHO ALL BLESSINGS FLOW, the radiation worked and John has once again been given a clean bill of health.

My heart was moved Sunday when John shared the following sentiments with our congregation:

"A year ago I was suffering from nearly unendurable pain. I CURSED the pain - - - but it was that same pain that helped the doctors FIND and then treat my cancer. I realized the pain was a blessing and now I am thankful for it.

Then, a new fast growing cancer was found. Again I CURSED the fact that it was fast growing as there seemed little hope of me surviving. Then the doctors told me that the reason my cancer responded to well to the radiation treatments was that it WAS a fast growing kind and the radiation could destroy its ability to reproduce. Now I thank God for the BLESSING of fast growing cancer.

I learned that's how it is in life - - - often times those things we think of as curses turn out to be our greatest blessings."

WOW - - - John has learned to navigate the raging torrents of this life with grace, dignity, and thanksgiving in his heart.

May I learn to respond to the puddles along the way in a similar manner.

I'm linking this little peek into my world,
The Northwoods of Wisconsin,
To YOUR world at Communal Global.

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