October 21, 2023 - For Me to Live

     Some things happened this week while we were at Mayo that I haven’t had time to share. 
     I found it interesting that my chart at Mayo doesn’t specify that I didn’t have the stem cell transplant.  That has opened the door for some discussions with the staff.
     When I was taken to the pre-op area on Tuesday, besides the nurse checking me in, the first person to see me was the pharmacist.  She was a young woman with lots of life and a winsome personality.
     We talked for a few minutes and she looks at me and says, “I like your attitude.”  I took that to mean that I was upbeat rather than dejected as I have dealt with some issues, as well as facing surgery.
     She began to go over the list of medications that I had been prescribed.  I explained to her that none of those medications I had taken because I didn’t have the stem cell transplant.  I shared with her about the good news from the bone marrow biopsy and the decision not to have the transplant.
     She looks at me and starts to speak.  It was on the very tip of her tongue.  “Miraculous.” But she just couldn’t say it, but we both knew it was true.  She didn’t have to say it.  Looking back on it, I should have said to her, “I like your attitude.”
     After returning from the visit on Thursday morning with the nurse who said we could come home, I was on the elevator at the hotel.  We were on the eighth floor so there was some time to think.   It was one of those “God comes while in the shower” type moments.
     The events of the past year quickly flashed through my mind.  By the time the elevator doors opened I had this impression that I almost spoke audibly, “It is miraculous that I am still alive.  And if I am alive in five years it will be even more miraculous.”
     Maybe I was still thinking of the young pharmacist.  I don’t think so.
     During the weeks of the preparation for the stem cell transplant I shared that I was reading through the Psalms.  Many of them spoke to me, as the Psalms tend to do for all of us.
     Three weeks ago I read the 118th Psalm.  Let me share just three verses from that Psalm:
Psalm 118:15 Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
16 The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17 I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
 
     As I reread these verses this morning, there came this lump in my throat, not the constant one from the surgery,
     At least for now, I will not die but live.  And I will proclaim what the Lord has done. 
     I will do that when the Lord opens the door in conversations.  I will do that when given the privilege to preach.  I will do that through these blogs.  
     Thanks for reading and being a part of me proclaiming what the Lord has done.  I commit to continue to write them only when moved by the Spirit. 
     For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 
     I am going to go on enjoying life as I live it with Christ Jesus and with others whom I love.
     I’d prefer to wait on the gain part for a while.