As a Pastor, I am faced with challenges every day. My heart is always sensitive to the needs of the precious people that may or may not be a part of my immediate surroundings. It could possibly be someone within our church family or a stranger that we encounter who is struggling with some type of challenge. I have done this long enough to know that no one gets a time-line of events handed to you when you wake up in the morning. We don’t know when or what time a trial is emerging in our lives. Life has the propensity to surprise each of us with circumstances be them good, bad or otherwise. Plainly said, life just happens.
I can tell you one thing for sure – you may not know what’s coming, but you can know who holds your future and I pray you have a sense of peace in that fact.
This past week my wife Patty and I were handed the news after an annual mammogram that was followed up with a biopsy that she has a “small” spot of cancer within her breast. We made some decisions at that moment:
1) We prayed. We have committed our lives into The Hand of a Mighty God that we believe can do anything. Especially give great peace & healing.
2) We would not make decisions based upon fear, but trust in God and allow Him to direct our paths.
3) We would pull together as a family. We are more than blessed to have children that believe for Gods best and show such love and support that calms our hearts.
4) We would pull together as a church family. This morning Patty and I shared this obstacle that we face. I’m so thankful that we’re not alone in this. Not only do we have family and close friends, but we have a church family that will pray, encourage and stand by our sides through this. We are so thankful for that.
5) We will be pro-active to have the finest medical treatment that is available to us. We are blessed and honored that Patty has been an employee of the University of Rochester (Strong Memorial Hospital) for 19 years.
I share this with you today not looking for sympathy of any kind, but for your effort in praying with us and believing in the God who is able to do all things.
We so deeply care for each one reading this and ask you to stand with us in prayer.
Pastor Marty & Patty