Often when difficult things come our way we may ask, “Why me? Why me, Lord?” More than once the psalmist asked that question.
I probably have a different take on that question than some folks. In the 22 years that I have dealt with cancer I have never once asked that question. I did not ask that question on Wednesday when we received the news that we would be returning to Rochester sometime in the near future. More than once I have thought, “Why not me?” I live in a fallen world and there are no guarantees. As I have looked back over the last 22 years there have been several people who have crossed my path with cancer. The first person to visit me at home after cancer surgery on my leg was a friend from Cynthiana. Gary worked in Frankfort and came through Versailles on his way home. A few years later I returned the favor and went to see Gary after he was diagnosed with cancer. His was resurrection healing. Wesley was a vibrant young woman in her 30s whom I had known since she was a child. Hers may be the most valiant fight I have seen as she battled breast cancer. Her healing, too, was resurrection healing. Ryan was the son of a couple in our church who had the strongest faith of anyone I have known as he battled colon cancer. His memorial service was maybe the most uplifting funeral I have ever attended. Brooke was a young mother of two young children who by the providence of God came to Daybreak earlier this year on the first Sunday that I began a series on “The Peace of God While Dealing with Cancer.” Her cancer was terminal and her healing was also not healing in this world. Just a couple of months ago I took part in Pam Smith’s funeral. Some Daybreak elders had gone to her home with me not too long after she was diagnosed with cancer. We anointed her and prayed for her. God heard our prayers and healed her with the ultimate healing but not the healing for which we had hoped. I said the last words for a friend from Cynthiana on Friday. His battle with this dreaded disease lasted a couple of years. I had walked with him through the most of his battle. I could share about others who have been diagnosed with cancer who are no longer in this world. If I didn’t mention your loved one, please forgive me. I have pondered more than I could tell you about why me? Why am I still in this world? It is far beyond “survivor’s guilt.” The truth is that I have no clue why. No one does. It has nothing to do with goodness or worth or merit or even faith. There is only one word I can consider. Grace. It is only by God’s grace that I am still in this world. Paul writes in the marvelous chapter on love that now we see in a mirror dimly, then face to face. Now we know in part, then we will understand fully. What I do know is that I will take no day for granted. No hug with a loved one, no opportunity to preach, no privilege to stand on the dock and look at God’s creation, no chance to see a daughter or a grandchild. The list is endless. It is really the way I have tried to live and love the last 20 years. Maybe now I am ramping it up a bit. Every day is a gift from God. Lord, help me cherish your gift each day.
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Chuck Cooper
Pastor at Daybreak Community Church Archives
February 2025
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