Hope for Tomorrow, December 29
Inside the Cancer Journey: Daily Reflections for Those Coping with Cancer
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By Dan Held
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy (Psalm 126:5 NIV).
As a farm boy growing up on the plains of northeastern Colorado, our seasonal year was divided into two parts: preparing for the planting season and preparing for the harvest season. Preparing meant many things to our farm family physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Given the uncertainties of weather, markets, insects, and all else that lay beyond our control, we had to work hard physically—but even harder emotionally and spiritually—first in the planting and later on the harvesting. With a summer drought prior to the fall planting of our winter wheat, we knew what it was like to sow with tears. But with adequate moisture over the ensuing winter and spring months, our summer harvest just as often brought forth songs of joy and hymns of praise.
When my wife Sue went through her cancer surgeries and subsequent treatments, we joined together in our own share of family sowing with tears. The work was far more physical on her part, but as a caregiver I shared in the emotional and spiritual work of hoping despite uncertainty. Not until months later, when her future tests came back negative, could we finally reap with joy.
Cancer, it turns out in my own experience, is a lot like farming—sowing with tears in hopes of reaping with joy.
The Israelite people knew that same sequence. Throughout their history they shared their sorrows in one season only to sing their praises in the next. During periods of exile, they knew all about sowing with tears. Their work was surely physical, but perhaps even more emotional and spiritual. Many tears were sown throughout their history. After their return from the Babylonian exile, they annually ascended together into the hills toward Jerusalem singing these words from Psalm 126:5: “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” The planting season always gives way to the harvest season in God’s mercy. And that gives us all hope for tomorrow!
Pray: Faithful God, You have entered this season with us as we’ve sown the seeds of uncertainty that come sometimes long before our harvest of plenty. Transform today’s tears into tomorrow’s season of grateful praise. Grant us hope for our journey, we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Your Turn: Let yourself enter today’s season of weeping with those who weep in order to best prepare for tomorrow’s season of rejoicing with those who rejoice.
Dan Held, Cancer Caregiver
Dan is a cancer caregiver who lives with his wife (Sue) of 55 years in Dayton, Ohio, where Sue has been free from breast cancer and colon cancer for two years! Dan is an ordained pastor and a licensed therapist with a heart for families touched by cancer at any stage. He is dedicated to promoting the message of more love and less fear in all aspects of his ministry and life. Check out his blog at www.danielkheld.com.
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
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