“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3–5, NKJV, emphasis added)

The sign posted in multiple places where Michelle received her medical treatment was an emotional pelting every time I saw it. Sometimes I’d feel incredulous, sometimes angry, sometimes pressured, sometimes just sorrowful. I never got to the point where I felt nothing.

Some of the caregivers Michelle visited this past year believed Science is indeed the source of hope. For them Science wasn’t just a empty tagline.

We disagree now. We’ve disagreed from the first time we saw the poster. We think it ridiculous to place such a burden on a thought process, a means of organized discovery (and un-discovery). We hold a genuine compassion for the priests and priestesses of ‘Science’ as God, What a massive millstone to hang on a finite mind no matter how brilliant and educated and experienced.

In Michelle’s case, what science had to offer wasn’t effective and her cancer continues to grow and spread in her body. So, treatment for her cancer came to a close yesterday. Michelle is now under hospice care which will allow her to remain at our home. All medical care will be aimed at making every day in her body as comfortable and pleasant as can be achieved.

No, we have not ‘given up.’ How could we? We knew clearly from the onset that the only solution to this tribulation was a lessor miracle and that knowledge is unshaken. Only One holds all our lives both individually and collectively. Only One removed death’s power over those who belong to Jesus., If Michelle’s life here is extended, what a gift. If Michelle’s life here is ended, what a far greater gift.

No, we do not know how many days, weeks, months Michelle may have on this earth. We do know the One who counted her days before she breathed her first and who knows the exact moment of when she will breathe her last.

This is a Tribulation (yes capital ‘T’). Jesus promised those who follow Him that such would come. There is no disappointment.

Plenty of pain both physical and emotional.

No disappointment.

Hope is neither missing nor lost. He found us and holds onto us until we see Jesus face-to-face.

My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace;
in every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, his covenant, his blood,
support me in the whelming flood;
when all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay.

When he shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found:
dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.

Edward Mote, Hymns of Praise published in 1836 and still true today.