Here’s a heartily abridged list of reasons why 2019 was a good year for me:
- I got to go to an Alan Walker concert in Tucson with my family.
- I got to attend a Pats game at Gillette Stadium with my family.
- I got to run my favorite half marathon in Fort Collins.
- I won my age group in a 5k at elevation (8250 ft) just days after completing radiation therapy.
- Liverpool won Champions League after one of the most improbable comebacks in history against one of the best teams in the world. #YNWA
- I got to go to GABF with some lifelong friends.
- I finally made it to TopGolf with some best friends.
- I got to star in my own viral video (linked here).
- I got to find out what I look like with a Mohawk (not too shabby, if I do say so myself).
Lopsided Mohawk! - I found out for sure that I do have a brain. Someone has actually seen my brain, can you say that?
- I learned that you CAN have joy in all situations.
- I learned that you CAN be thankful in all situations.
- I learned just how much my family loves me. For that matter, I learned how much my church family and friends love me.
- I learned that God is good. All the time.
- I learned all these things because God’s sustaining grace is REAL.
I am still learning how to be content with hardship, calamity, and weakness, but I know that Christ’s power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12: 9-10). I know that God works all things together for our good and his glory, and I rest in His promises.
Being diagnosed with a terminal disease has been difficult, not to mention a little scary, and even though I am exactly where God wants me to be and I still fully trust his plans for my life, I am struck by this quote from C. S. Lewis: “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”
Wondering how painful the best will be has caused me to contemplate my demise and look back on my life. I came to the realization that there are many things I'd do differently, but I also came to realize that I've already experienced a lifetime’s worth of blessing in my 44 years, and if this is all that I get then it is more than enough and infinitely more than I deserve. I have experienced more love, more blessings, more joy in my life than many people experience in a full lifespan. God is good. All the time.
Goodbye 2019, we’re on to 2020 and I am excited to watch God unveil his plans for my life, no matter what that looks like.
Thank you Ian - you have been a real example to us of how to trust God and rejoice in every situation. It I so refreshing to hear you talk so openly about your illness and how you have coped with it. Have you seen Jeremy Marshall’s little book called Beyond the Big C, published by 10 Publishing? I think you’d find him inspirational too. We continue to pray for your full recovery, but more importantly that the message of hope that you are so clearly displaying may speak to many people and encourage them to turn to the Lord. Hilary
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Hilary. I haven't heard of Jeremy Marshall's book, but I'll definitely look into it. Thank you also for your prayers. It means so much to me that so many people are praying for me!
ReplyDeleteIs this some clever way to announce that you actually have MORE brain than the rest of us? I was waiting for this day.
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health (not great - lets not get carried away) and sending positive vibes from Michigan! Half Fast is fast enough to outrun this.
To paraphrase a quote...The ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of comfort...but where they stand at times of challenge. Ian, you are a model for all of us on how to deal with adversity with courage, humor and grace. You are in my prayers. Tracy ��
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