(Bonita wrote this at the end of a wearisome “time away.” What a huge treasure she is to me!)
WE ARE BRAVE!!
We are brave (some might think stupid) to take trips during this time of cancer. Brave in the fact that we leave our doctors in Houston and trust others for care. Steve has been the bravest, as others are, during this fight with the deadly “C”. I am amazed that he has endured the pain, suffering, and uncertainty we both have had to embrace. We know there are risks, but home sometimes becomes a “cancer prison” of sorts. Confinement takes the mind to areas of discontent that is hard to shake at times. A “pity party” will set itself up.
A “pity party” is not like a tea party with all the finery displayed by beautiful china, tea cups, along with tastes and flavors of something delicious and good. A pity party is set up to rob us of the joy that life has to offer. It comes in and makes everything taste bad, look bad, act bad, and leaves a mess that someone has to clean up. A pity party is just that … a mess. It messes with your mind, your heart, and your soul. Pitying oneself causes us to only look inward. How can we look to GOD if our eyes are somewhere else?
This time away gives us a break from the harsh reality of the task at hand. The task of fighting brain cancer. We don’t leave it behind, for it follows us everywhere. The cancer is ever present, but so is GOD. He arrives at our destination first, stays the entire time, and allows our strength to be renewed if we look to HIM. How can we not be brave when HE walks and talks with us every step of the way?
And He walks with me and He talks with me
And HE tells me I am HIS own.
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known.
Bonita and Steve
Sweet Bonita! You are such grace under pressure! What a wonderful example you are to women in ministry or “married to ministry” and you have such perfect insight. I know it’s been refined through many trials and you don’t take any credit for it. But because you’ve allowed God to speak and you’ve listened and learned, that’s valuable to me and a fine example to follow. I think back on all those years when I’d come out to sing in Houston and you were always wanting to know about real life and how real life was. Now, I’ve learned, that’s the best barometer for a life in ministry, how life is at home. I love you sweet lady. Praying for you all daily.
Several phrases in this post grabbed my attention and affirmed the Holy Spirit’s faithfulness in my own life experience. Thank you, Bonita. Here’s one!
“The cancer is ever present, but so is GOD. He arrives at our destination first, stays the entire time, and allows our strength to be renewed if we look to HIM.” What a great reminder! He is always preparing our future and our ability to celebrate in the midst of challenges. As David wrote, “Thou preparest a table before me IN THE PRESENCE OF MINE ENEMIES!” I love it that you and Steve have lived that out. Celebrating LIFE and JESUS in the presence of Cancer. How Big is God? Much bigger than Cancer!!! Thank you for the example of your commitment to celebrate and relish your experiences regardless of the challenges. Thank you, Lord, for being omnipresent in our lives – every day and every place. You are our reason for JOY and the source of our JOY!
Sweet Saint Bonita,
You both amaze me at how you love and support each other through this battle. You are both warriors in my book! Keep up the good fight.
Love you both! <3