“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.” (Proverbs 3:5–8, NLT)

Which path to take? Always a conundrum, often a dilemma.

For the Christian, walking is the embryonic act of faith. Jesus told those who would be his disciples to follow him. This was not theoretical statement, but rather a practical command. Belief alone does not require action, but true faith most certainly does. Simon (Peter), Andrew, James and John heard and ‘dropped and followed.’ (Matthew 4.18-22) The ‘righteous young man’ heard and did not follow. He believed ‘in Jesus,’ but his belief was empty. (Matthew 19.16-30)

Michelle faced a diverging path this week. She had to choose to try yet another immunotherapy combination that the doctor previously said would not work and wait for up to 9 weeks to be informed of changes inside her body. Alternatively, she could just stop treatments. We prayed about it together and she chose to allow the medical team one more shot at co-healing with our Lord.

For us it was a no lose proposition. From the beginning, it was clear that the only way for Michelle to get past this particular disease required God having to show His hand. It is so easy to think God can be passive in our lives and only should be called upon for the ‘big stuff.’ Got a cold? Take the nighttime sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching stuffy-head, fever’ stuff. Don’t bother God. Got cancer? Get God on the line right away!

We both believe that both conditions are under God’s sovereignty. One of our childhood friend’s cause of death was a simple flu she contracted as a young adult. That hit hard. We need grace constantly to exist.

So we hope in Grace, not in treatments or really any other thing. We know that hope is assured, guaranteed by the character of the One who sent Jesus to do His will. So we wait. Michelle’s next treatment is three weeks from now. Another treatment is planned three weeks after, and subsequent scans to see if there is any response.

Here is how you can specifically pray: Thank God for the grace that although Michelle has ‘stage IV cancer’ that her bloodwork continually comes back as if she was a reasonably healthy adult. Ask God to continue to allow Michelle to have the improved quality of life she has experienced this past month with no treatment. Her cancer is ‘worse’ but her days were overall better. Ask God to continue to protect the integrity of her spine. She continues to be at high risk of serious spinal cord injury. Please continue to pray for her healing, that would be a lesser miracle we would be happy to see!

Thank you to the many who have inquired how I am doing. I will write a response to that question next Friday since we are hoping for no ‘medical’ updates for a couple of weeks. In the meantime, those who know me best, know the truth: I am truly and abundantly blessed.