The New Hallway

At the top of the stairs, I always turn right.
Right takes me to the cafe.
Right takes me to the Image Recovery Center.
Right takes me to Infusion.
For nearly four years, I've been coming to this cancer center. These places have become familiar to me. I'm comfortable there, I know the drill.

But this day, I needed to turn left.
Left takes me to the Radiation Department.
Left is completely unfamiliar and unwanted.
But, left is where I walked.
Down the New Hallway.

After the report that the initial tumor in my lung has grown slightly, this is where I need to be. We will radiate the small spot and blast those cancer cells to death. I'm thankful that this procedure doesn't require needles and should have very little side effects. I'm so thankful that the medicine I've been taking for 2 years is still working everywhere else! I'm thankful for this option of treatment.

But that doesn't make the New Hallway a place I'm eager to be. BUT GOD. I'm so glad that He knows we are weak. He knows and understands. And He provides. 

Glancing around the waiting area I saw a familiar face! One of my Dad's cousins, a retired Mennonite minister, was reading. He was as surprised to see me as I was to see him. Of course, the tears came again as we shared our stories. He was there with his wife, who is the patient and fighting her own cancer battle. This couple is so gentle and caring. I immediately felt God's reassurance and comfort. I received the reminder that I'm SO not alone in this walk! There are many others who are bravely facing much more severe challenges and living in joy and hope. 

Take courage from this powerful passage in II Chronicles 20 that recounts Jehoshaphat's response when faced with a scary report:

"...and he said, 'O Lord, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You...for we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.'

...thus says the Lord to you, 'DO NOT FEAR or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's...You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf...tomorrow go out to face them for the Lord is with you.'

Give thanks to the Lord, for His LOVINGKINDNESS is everlasting.

When they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes..." 

Even though cancer and other difficult issues are my journey, I can do this thing with God's help. I will trust and not be afraid. God's peace will carry me down each and every hallway.