Ringing of The Bell

On the Children’s Cancer floor at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston there is a tradition that, when the last scheduled round of chemotherapy has been completed, the patient is allowed to ring a bell in triumph. This is a joyous event which encourages all who have been involved in the process, as well as others who are in the middle of their treatment. Yesterday morning, our daughter loudly rang the bell. Many happy tears flowed. Praise God and thank you soooo much for all of your prayers!

If you are new to this unfolding story, three and a half months ago our daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer. The last three and a half months have been quite difficult, but we have learned a great deal. This is the tenth message I have sent specific to our daughter’s situation; the rest of the messages can be found on our web site at:

http://gdwm.org/index.php/category/update-message/

In the message “Gifts to be Returned” we saw how ALL we have is by the grace of God. We saw how we ought to receive all as a precious gift, and then return our gifts to Him, used for His glory and honor. I have been thinking about how this message relates to my daughter and cancer. I understand the part about receiving our children as precious gifts – I have five such gifts! But what does it mean to truly return our gifts, our children, back to God for His glory?

I don’t have this all worked out, but I’m better understanding the idea of what it means to release. We do not, or at least we should not, possess anything. All we have is to be used to honor and glorify God; and the tighter I hold things close, the more difficult it is for them to be used for their intended purpose. We must cherish what we have, but we must cherish with open hands. I still do not believe God causes all hardship or takes away the ones we love, but I do believe that as we better understand how to live with open hands we will find that the evil of this world has lost its power and that God will indeed be glorified.

1 Corinthians 15:54-55
“When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?'”

All cancer patients understand that being done with the initial rounds of treatment, while a great accomplishment, is not the end. The war with cancer is never truly over. We need to return in three weeks for tests to evaluate the state of the war; then again in another three months, and three months after that. We will celebrate each good report as a victory, but the final victory is only achieved when the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable. And this is a victory we already have!

I am learning to release, and I pray that the life of our daughter, as well as the lives all of our children, will be lived to glorify God. Our daughter still has many challenges ahead. But today, please join us in celebrating the ringing of the bell!

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

PS/NB: Please consider supporting my 328 mile (528 km) bike ride across Ohio in support of the American Cancer Society. This ride will take place the end of July, so I promise to only plug it a few more times. Many of you have already given your support and allowed me to currently be the second largest fundraiser out of 550 riders. Visit the support page for this ride at:

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/Steve_Troxel

**** Reading Plan ****

May 7 1 Samuel 1:1-2:21; John 5:1-23; Psalm 105:39-45; Proverbs 14:28-29

533.61 miles in 2013 : Goal 1509 miles