Five months ago today, Gage was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). I can remember hearing Gage’s pediatrician telling me over the phone, “Blake, Gage has leukemia,” like it was yesterday. Yet, in other ways it feels like forever ago. The first four weeks after his diagnosis sent me into a tail-spin. I was dizzy from the shock, sorrow and uncertainty of it all.
This go around of intense treatment, I’m past the denial stage. I’ve accepted the fact that my five-year-old child has cancer. His skin has grown pale again, his eyes have those familiar black rings and his face remains swollen; all from the chemotherapy.
Yet, I have found great comfort and strength from the Book of Psalms. Unlike any other time in my life, I have grown to love and treasure the the truth of the psalms. Today, I read Psalm 49 and was reminded once again of how foolish it is to be consumed by the temporal riches of this world.
16 Do not be overawed when a man grows rich,
when the splendor of his house increases;
17 for he will take nothing with him when he dies,
his splendor will not descend with him.
18 Though while he lived he counted himself blessed—
and men praise you when you prosper-
19 he will join the generation of his fathers,
who will never see the light of life .
20 A man who has riches without understanding
is like the beasts that perish. (Psalm 49:16-20)
Life is short, and every day is truly precious. All I have to do is look into the eyes of my son each day to be reminded that we are never promised tomorrow. Like the psalmist, I pray that the Lord would teach me to number my days:
4 “Show me, O LORD, my life’s end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man’s life is but a breath.
6 Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.
7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you. (Psalm 39:4-7)
I pray that this Thanksgiving holiday finds you truly thankful for the relationships you share with loved ones and for the grace that is found in our Lord, Jesus Christ.
On the road to a cure . . .
BH
Thanking God for the Holmes family and all that He has done in your lives and in our lives through you guys. You are all consistently in our thoughts and prayers. Love you guys and hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving in the midst of the storm.
Blake, that is an awesome message. It should be read by every family that is enjoying a Thanksgiving meal today. I love Ps 39:6. At this stage of my life I am especially sensitive to this admonition.
I recently read the following on the Generous Giving web site:
“All you have shall someday be given; Therefore give now that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors”.
Yes, let us be thankful for the loved ones God has blessed us with and not our fleeting possessions. I long for the day that all of this is past for Gage and to again enjoy his sweet nature. This holiday makes us miss all of you all the more. Love to all of you. Pepere
Blake, thanks so much for your message. I pray that I will have an eternal perspective as I interact with friends and family this weekend.
I pray that you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I pray that you are able to remain grateful to the Lord in the midst of all that is going on. I also pray that Gage is able to enjoy today with the rest of the family.
Thank you Blake!
What a great reminder for us all this Thanksgiving. We plan to share this posting with our family this afternoon…and, again, will pray for Gage and all of you as you trek through this intensive phase of treatment. May the Lord give you a peaceful and joyful Thanksgiving!
Standing with you on the road to a cure,
Lisa
B&R, as I sit here on Thanksgiving, it brings tears to my eyes to think of how thankful I am for the ways that God has chosen to draw me to Himself this year through the death of two friends, the sickness of others, hardships in relationships, and struggles with sin that will last until I die. I hurt for you all as you walk this path that I cannot even imagine, but I’m thankful that we all know where our hope lies, and that God’s love for us surpasses the circumstances we find ourselves in at given moment. I love you all and will continue to pray that God will give us thankful hearts, regardless of ALL our circumstances. Yes, pun intended.
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14
“The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.”
Exodus 15:3
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
Hebrews 6:19
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus…”
Hebrews 12:2-3
“…surely I am with you always even till the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20
“Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4
Team Holmes. I thought about sharing some faithful “ammo “for this “combat zone” world. Battling in prayer with everyone else, with and for you ALL! I pray these verses continue to anchor you all in good and tough times. I love you all. You all are great blessings to us all. You all inspire me daily. On the road to a cure.
The Difference is Jesus!