On the Rocks, March 2
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by David Gira
“He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm” (Mark 4:39 NIV).
A few months after my initial cancer diagnosis, my family and I went to the coast to spend a few days. It would be good for us all. We could use the R&R.
My brother-in-law and his son (my nephew) joined us. My nephew had just returned from an “awesome” beach trip with his Uncle Kevin, who has an “amazing” boat. Every day they had zipped up and down the inner coastal waters, skiing, bodyboarding, and soaking up the sun.
My nephew quickly grew bored with our place. He asked if we could take our boat out and have some fun.
My boat was not amazing. Almost every time I tried to take it out, something didn’t work. It usually failed to start. When it did start and we got out on the river, it had stopped running more than once, requiring us to be towed home.
I didn’t want to disappoint my nephew, so I agreed to give it a try. To our amazement, the engine fired up right away, and sounded great.
Everyone boarded. We pushed the boat away from the dock and headed out of the creek and into the river. My nephew, brother-in-law and my kids took turns being pulled on a tube behind the boat. I sped through figure eights, and we raced back and forth across the river.
Suddenly the skies began to darken. We loaded up and headed home. As we approached shore, with our dock in sight, the engine stalled. My heart sank to my stomach. I tried and tried to start it but had no success.
The winds became strong, and the waters grew rough. Not a single boat could be seen. Our dock stood less than a hundred yards away. We were at the mouth of the creek, but the waves were pushing us toward the big rocks on the other side of the creek.
In no time, we were bumping against the rocks. The waves lifted and dropped us. We were all terrified, especially my nephew. He looked at me with eyes wide, mouth opened, and a face full of fear.
I called back to the house for help. The land lovers would try to find someone to rescue us. A few minutes later, another boat appeared with one of our neighbors. He quickly tied a rope to our boat and towed us home to safety again. We were elated.
Our aquatic adventure reminded me of the cancer experience. One day everything is going great. Smooth sailing. Blue skies as far as you can see. But then cancer barges in like a storm and disrupts and threatens your life. Disaster and death loom large.
Thankfully, Jesus hears our cry for help. He’s actually already with us—in the same boat! He loves us too much to jump ship. He comes to our rescue and calms the storms. Just as Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves for the disciples, He can rebuke the chaos of cancer.
Pray: Lord Jesus, help me to be aware of Your presence with me in the storm. I call on You now to silence cancer’s wind and waves. Let me experience Your salvation and peace. Amen.
Your Turn: Casting Crowns’ “Praise You In This Storm” reminds us to praise God even in the storm. As we do, God’s presence becomes more apparent. Make it a point to praise God today.
Michael David Gira, Jr., Cancer Survivor
David was an ordained United Methodist Pastor and graduate of Duke Divinity School. He and his wife, Amy, lived in Raleigh, North Carolina with their three children. In 2017 he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. In his book, How Cancer Cured Me, he shares many ways he experienced God’s healing. After a 7 year battle with cancer, David is now joyously singing praises in God’s glorious throne room. His legacy lives on through his writing for Cancer Companions, as he continues to proclaim Christ’s hope and healing power to others experiencing cancer. https://www.davidgira.com/how-cancer-cured-me
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