Meet John & Rhonda. It was their first trip to the Cancer Treatment Center of America. As we all sat in the limo at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, awaiting our departure, they were, to say the least, pensive, apprehensive, wondering and wide-eyed, grasping for hope. After all...Rhonda has cancer.
You don't know the impact of that word until it is about you or your spouse or someone you love. And even then, if it's not about you, your life, your diagnoses, your life-threatening-nemisis, I doubt the full impact can be understood, felt, owned.
When Marylin was diagnosed and we made our first trip to the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Zion, IL, I can remember those same feelings which could be best described as, "We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto." Indeed we were not. And while CTCA may not be the magical land of Oz, it is for all intents and purposes, a very special place and though not magical, blessed. There is a Hallway of Hope there with pictures of those who have thus far beaten back the monster. This hallway leads to the cafeteria where all meals, delicious and totally organic, are provided free of charge to patient and caregiver as well. When we first turned that corner entering this Hallway of Hope on that first day, we held each other's arm tightly and the tears began to flow. We were here. IT was here. This is real. This is now. Marylin has cancer.
It's like all of a sudden the full force of, "You have cancer" hit us both in the gut at the same time, knocking the wind out of us. There were to be many such moments as we walked through those initial and ensuing stages of treatment. But none like that first walk down a lonely hallway that was to serve as a reminder of hope but at first, appeared as a solemn reminder that cancer is real, it is life threatening, and it must be met head-on with a voraciousness for life.
Today, as God assuredly orchestrates our moments, our wanderings through this journey of life, caring about each one of His kids as only a loving Father can do, we experienced the Hallway of Hope in a different way. This time we became the messengers of hope.
Marylin is a consummate encourager and had given such kind words to John and Rhonda as we traveled the forty-five minute trek to our guest quarters. Rhonda expressed her gratitude as we shared success story after success story, being thankful for kind words of encouragement, just when she needed them most; or so she thought. As we were leaving the cafeteria this particular morning, about to enter the Hallway, there they were. John and Rhonda had made their initial voyage and coming out of the Hallway and into the cafeteria, they saw us. I shook John's hand and Marylin was immediately latched onto by Rhonda as I took her tray so she could hug her newfound friend. She too, burst into tears. It was Rhonda and John's first trip and the same surreal feelings had overcome them as well. Marylin embraced Rhonda, assuring her it would be okay. It seemed at that moment the love of God was so strong, the bond unbreakable, the connection never to be severed, between these too gladiators, fighting for their very lives in this new arena.
"I can't believe we met you here! You're here...right now! I'm so glad! It had to be God. I am at peace," Rhonda exclaimed with a newfound courage. Once again, my wife had proven the fact of God's never-ending comfort. A comfort that it is not for the recipient only, but for others who need to experience His comfort as well.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too" (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ESV).
We've experienced this principle over and over again as we have suited up daily for this battle we are determined to win.
Never, never, think that what you're going through is just for you; what a waste of pain that would be. I can see my bride come alive every time she shares her hope with those who desperately need it. And every time comfort is given pain is divided. Whether in the shadow - you know...the one in the Valley, or down the Hallway of Hope, tears meet tears and hope reigns because after all, "...it had to be God. It just had to be God."
Amen Rhonda. It was.
