I Do
It is January 31, 2003, 12:35 A.M. Fourteen days, counting today, until I start chemotherapy. A little over a month ago, on December 12, 2002, our lives changed. I went to a doctor’s appointment at 8:30 A.M. At around 9:30 A.M. I was making phone calls and preparing to go to the hospital to have surgery. I was told I possibly had cancer. Four days later, we were informed that which was removed from my body was positive for cancer. During all the emotions, sadness, feeling of loss and helplessness, so many blessings from God occurred. Gifts, money, love, prayers, encouraging words from others, and just knowing God is working mightily in our lives. Were we scared? Yes, we were. Did we lean more on God? Yes we did. The strength we are receiving from God is mighty. And we are still growing stronger. During this, at times I have been upset, said things, done things, and acted ways that I should not have. All I can do is pray and repent and lean more on God and grow in God’sa love. Now that it is time to get prepared for the treatments, all of the wrong thoughts seem to try and start again. Yes, we stand strong and say we have won. Is it tough? Yes. I am protected by God’s love always. God has sent a special angel to help watch over me. I see this angel every day. In my dreams and thoughts. In my prayers and my life. This angel is with me all the way. I thank God always for such a beautiful gift. As I was thinking about the treatment, this thought came to mind. I was at the place where I would receive the chemotherapy. And yes, my angel is there. As the doctors prepare, I am praying this prayer. Dear Lord, as I take in the medicine I ask that you, Dear Lord, bless this, which is about to enter my body. That as this flows through me, your mighty love will flow even stronger. And that this makes me stronger and mightier for you, Dear Lord. I thank you for this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen. As I am receiving the chemo, something about me changes. Not knowing or understanding what, I see a tear fall from my angel’s eye. Now angels are not supposed to cry. And yes, the angel I speak of is my beautiful gift from God. My wife, Stephanie. She spoke two words a little over seven years ago. The words she spoke told me she would be right here with me all the way. The words “I Do.†As I think on this I also spoke the same two words. As we grow stronger in God’s love, I wish to say them again while asking and answering these questions. Do I promise to be here for her, to love and protect her? To hold and cherish forever? To look into her eyes and tell her just how beautiful she is? To show and tell her she is my gift from God? To tell her and show her I will always love her? To pray for her and lift her up before God always? Do I know how blessed I am to have her and will I always show and tell her? She is my wife, my gift from God. Do I promise to always love and protect her to hold and love? To be strong in God’s love through whatever tries to come against us?
Yes, in Jesus’ Mighty Name, I Do.
It is January 31, 2003, 12:35 A.M. Fourteen days, counting today, until I start chemotherapy. A little over a month ago, on December 12, 2002, our lives changed. I went to a doctor’s appointment at 8:30 A.M. At around 9:30 A.M. I was making phone calls and preparing to go to the hospital to have surgery. I was told I possibly had cancer. Four days later, we were informed that which was removed from my body was positive for cancer. During all the emotions, sadness, feeling of loss and helplessness, so many blessings from God occurred. Gifts, money, love, prayers, encouraging words from others, and just knowing God is working mightily in our lives. Were we scared? Yes, we were. Did we lean more on God? Yes we did. The strength we are receiving from God is mighty. And we are still growing stronger. During this, at times I have been upset, said things, done things, and acted ways that I should not have. All I can do is pray and repent and lean more on God and grow in God’sa love. Now that it is time to get prepared for the treatments, all of the wrong thoughts seem to try and start again. Yes, we stand strong and say we have won. Is it tough? Yes. I am protected by God’s love always. God has sent a special angel to help watch over me. I see this angel every day. In my dreams and thoughts. In my prayers and my life. This angel is with me all the way. I thank God always for such a beautiful gift. As I was thinking about the treatment, this thought came to mind. I was at the place where I would receive the chemotherapy. And yes, my angel is there. As the doctors prepare, I am praying this prayer. Dear Lord, as I take in the medicine I ask that you, Dear Lord, bless this, which is about to enter my body. That as this flows through me, your mighty love will flow even stronger. And that this makes me stronger and mightier for you, Dear Lord. I thank you for this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen. As I am receiving the chemo, something about me changes. Not knowing or understanding what, I see a tear fall from my angel’s eye. Now angels are not supposed to cry. And yes, the angel I speak of is my beautiful gift from God. My wife, Stephanie. She spoke two words a little over seven years ago. The words she spoke told me she would be right here with me all the way. The words “I Do.†As I think on this I also spoke the same two words. As we grow stronger in God’s love, I wish to say them again while asking and answering these questions. Do I promise to be here for her, to love and protect her? To hold and cherish forever? To look into her eyes and tell her just how beautiful she is? To show and tell her she is my gift from God? To tell her and show her I will always love her? To pray for her and lift her up before God always? Do I know how blessed I am to have her and will I always show and tell her? She is my wife, my gift from God. Do I promise to always love and protect her to hold and love? To be strong in God’s love through whatever tries to come against us?
Yes, in Jesus’ Mighty Name, I Do.