Until Then

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Only those among us who have received a terminal diagnosis know what it is like to get that news. I’ve pastored many individuals over the span of my 50-year career who found themselves in that situation. I’ve extended pastoral care and prayed with them, but that’s all I could do; I couldn’t feel what they felt. Then when I was in Jameson Care Center for rehabilitation, my oncologist called me and gave me the news. My cancer had returned and metastasized, the equivalent of stage four cancer. It was treatable but not curable. Now I too had a terminal diagnosis. 

I’m positive about my condition. Doctors can predict a time frame, but God has the final answer. My faith and trust in Him has never been stronger. Just today, my wife and I were sharing experiences and she marveled at how much God has opened doors for each of us to share and minister to so many people; it’s absolutely amazing. We no longer have a “congregation” to care for, but we definitely have a ministry. 

This older hymn has been on my mind for weeks now, and it says what I feel. Carefully digest these words:

“My heart can sing when I pause to remember 
A heartache here is but a stepping stone
Along a trail that’s winding always upward
This troubled world is not my final home.

“The things of earth will dim and lose their value
If we recall they’re borrowed for a while 
And things of earth that cause the heart to tremble 
Remembered there will only bring a smile.

“But until then my heart will go on SINGING 
Until then with JOY I’ll carry on
Until the day my eyes BEHOLD that CITY 
Until the day God CALLS me HOME.”

 Whether the trumpet sounds and we meet Him in the air, or God supernaturally heals, or we pass from this life through death, each of us can sing with joy until He calls us home. I hope and pray this is your song as well as mine.
 



Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 14, 2024 at 8:53 AM

    Beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. BobJune 14, 2024 at 9:10 AM

    Amen

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tammi BarkleyJune 14, 2024 at 12:42 PM

    What a testimony you have Pastor!
    How thankful we are to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit “working” through you ! Just today as I was talking to a patient she mentioned God is Good… I immediately thought of you saying God is good all the time.. All the time God is Good! After my patient said God is good, I said All the time then in almost unison we said All the time God is good. Especially through “the valleys.” God surely is “using” you .. I can’t imagine the people you continue to touch but I do know my faith and the Holy Spirit has given me opportunities here at work to share with patients because of the “many teachings” God gave us through you! There are so many notes in my Bible from your sermons. As I’m-reading a section, God is giving me a deeper understanding or directly “talks” to me about a situation that is going on, through what You’ve said. Praising God for you and Pam.
    Praying for you both daily!!
    Praise God from whom all Blessings flow!!

    ReplyDelete

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