MEDITATION 8

 

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (Matthew 8:23-26 NIV)

 

From calm conditions to a fierce storm. Often our lives feel like this. We are coasting along and things seem fine.  Then things get turbulent in our family life or at work or with friends and we don't know how to bring a sense of calm.

 

Things sure seemed calm in my life: some family coming home for Christmas, getting ready to pack the van with golf clubs, hook up the trailer with our motorcycles and head to our son's vacation home in Arizona. What a great life! Then BOOM! The storm hit! A cancerous brain tumour that has left me paralyzed on the left side, unable to walk and confined to bed!

 

I need to be reminded of this Scripture that Jesus is in the boat with me. And He is the one who brings the calm.  All I have to do is call on Him with faith.

 

So you might say, 'So you know the storm; what now is your calm?' My calm started when I decided to accept my condition and spend my remaining days in hospice, surrounded by a caring staff, with visits from family and friends. Plus working on my bucket list projects - writing about my bush-flying experiences, motorcycle meditations and now, meditations from a hospice bed. And I have had hundreds of best wishes, thoughts  and prayers through cards, notes, gifts, emails and Facebook messages/posts.  

     

Prayer:  Lord, You know the storms in our lives; be the One who calms the turbulence, and guide us by Your Spirit to do our part in seeking calmness.

 

 

MARIE'S REFLECTION

 

It wasn't easy to accept that the diagnosis was terminal. With hundreds of people praying for Gary, we were confident that he would beat the odds and be healed! But just in case, we had contacted the Mayo Clinic to see about any alternative treatments. It wasn't until Gary refused radiation and agreed to a move to hospice that we, too, had to agree to let him go. But for whatever time he has left, we are determined to make his days as enjoyable as possible and to celebrate his life with him.

 

At 8 o'clock every Saturday morning for the last few years, we have met at Tim Hortons for coffee with two other couples. From early on in Gary's illness, we decided to move the coffee to 10 o'clock and meet in the hospice room. The group has grown and not everyone can make it each time, but not a Saturday has gone by that we haven't carried on the tradition. Sometimes we have been met by one of the storms in Gary's life, but it always passes and we rejoice to embrace the calm.