Friday, December 07, 2007
Motivation -- A Slice from a Cancer Experience
In a recent e-mail exchange with my friend, Jay Pinney, he asked the question: "How do you keep yourself going?"
After writing a reply entitled, "Motivation", Jay wrote back: "I would encourage you to send it out with one of your health reports. It seems to be a spiritual health report of some kind which might be encouraging for those who haven’t gotten it right from the horse’s mouth."
So, here it is in edited form:
I'm a natural optimist. In addition, I've been feeling well during the last three weeks and have a fair bit of energy. I'm walking at an indoor track a couple of times a week and have just joined an exercise class at the University of Waterloo for cancer patients. The side-effects from chemo have been minimal and my oncologist is surprised and impressed with the progress I'm making with treatment. There are hundreds of people that are praying for me regularly. I have enough insurance. My family and church have provided incredible support all during this illness. I am having a surprising ministry influence from a place of confinement -- e-mail, phone calls, people coming to see me.
Life is precious and is meant to be lived regardless. That's one of the big learnings of the present time. During my chemo treatment on Tuesday, my daughter asked me if I had a list of things I would like to do before life is done. I listed a half dozen small things (two small trips and a few little one day experiences), but realized that I don't have a lot of frustrations or regrets. My life is good. I've left a substantial ministry legacy over 30 years. I could do another productive chapter of ministry if the Lord restores my health, but I could finish sooner. I feel like my life has been well lived. An illness like this has a way of sorting what matters and what doesn't. Most of what I've invested in has been in the first category and that feels good.
Last year, I read Rick Warren's book, "The Purpose Driven Life" and worked through the journal tool that goes with it. Just a few weeks ago, I re-read what I journalled then. It was gratifying to reflect again on how God is in control and is working in the circumstances of my present life. What I read and wrote is all still true now that cancer is here. Whether God glorifies Himself through delivering me from cancer or preserving me while suffering through it remains to be seen. Running the race to the end ...
Glenn A. Gibson
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Hey Glenn
A lot of trust in those words and it's encouraging.
Lots of love & prayer
Durwin & Angel
A lot of trust in those words and it's encouraging.
Lots of love & prayer
Durwin & Angel
# posted by 
: 2:04 a.m.
: 2:04 a.m.
So good to see this in print. I'd recommend you blog the "Snowy" piece too. Make sure there's a picture.
Blessings friend.... I'm praying a believing for another chapter.
Blessings friend.... I'm praying a believing for another chapter.
Glenn, I'm encouraged by your attitude and perspective during this challenging phase of your life. May God's grace continue to be your strength and sustenance as you continue to rise above your current circumstances. Blessings and prayers...
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