Ask Jane
 A
Faith for All Times
by Jane Parker Huber
"I
know you had some health problems last summer. Do you have any
helpful words for others who may be dealing with challenging
health situations? What was comforting to you? Did your faith
become stronger or shakier?" -Jo, Montana
Without giving you a lengthy "organ
recital," I'm glad to respond to your questions. I did indeed
have some health setbacks in 2001, and I am trying to learn to
adjust my life and recognize some new realities.
To abbreviate, I had pneumonia and, while in the hospital for
that, a chest scan revealed breast cancer. As a result, I had
to stop taking the medication for rheumatoid arthritis that had
been so helpful in the previous year. Misery compounded! The
day before my scheduled mastectomy, I had a mild stroke, so major
surgery was not advisable. Lymph node surgery was done a couple
of weeks later indicating that the malignancy had spread to my
lymph nodes. Seven weeks of daily radiation are bearable but
tiring. Fortunately no further surgeries or chemotherapy are
scheduled, but I will have to keep a close check on myself and
in close touch with my doctors.
A Community of Faith and Love
A person's first major illness as an adult is an amazing revelation
of God's gifts administered through individual persons and the
church as a whole. You hear about it, but until it happens to
you, you can't possibly understand it. I could not believe the
outpouring of love and concern that came my way from people known
and unknown to me. Of course, it was clever of me to get sick
shortly before General Assembly so I was remembered in prayer
by gathered Presbyterians and the word spread from there. Members
of Presbyterian Women in all aspects of their work were and continue
to be especially thoughtful and supportive. I have joined a powerful
sorority of breast cancer survivors.
I sing the praises of God and of health care professionals. Doctors
have diagnostic tools and the skill to read the results, but
there is still much praise to be given to nurses and aides of
various kinds who make life bearable in the midst of illness.
In my case, the doctors were kind enough to keep in touch with
our daughter who is a doctor in family practice 400 miles away---a
special comfort to me as well as to her.
Dramatic Reminders and Responses
All our children have kept in closer touch than usual, proving
that one generation's illness can be a wake-up call to the next
in a touching way. My husband, who is healthy and vigorous at
77, lived out our vows of 54 years ago "in sickness and
health." When he was to be gone for a week, one of our daughters
and my younger sister came to keep my spirits up and take care
of me as needed. It was a joyful time of laughing and remembering
and story-telling that was thoroughly delightful and therapeutic
as well.
Devotional reading and pastoral calls were comforting. Notes,
letters, phone calls and visits kept me keenly aware of the cloud
of witnesses amid which we all live, too often without recognizing
that powerful presence. I hope I learned how to be more thoughtful
of others when they are ill.
So to ask if my faith is stronger, I answer a resounding yes.
But shakier? Certainly not. I cannot imagine a time or condition
in which faith is more real. It doesn't hurt to be reminded of
mortality in a more dramatic way than is our usual daily fare.
We are, after all, finite, temporary residents of this planet.
Our particular Presbyterian form of Christian faith tells us
God is God in all circumstances of life. Let us hope that we
can find the way to true wholeness and peace of body and spirit
in keeping with God's promise of shalom.
Thanks for asking.
Jane Parker Huber has served Presbyterian Women at all governing
body levels for more than 50 years. Well-known as a hymnwriter,
she composes contemporary and inclusive songs, using familiar
tunes.
Send your question to "Ask Jane,"
c/o Horizons, 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202-1396;
fax 502/569-8085; email sdunne@ctr.pcusa.org.
Call 800/ 524-2612 to subscribe or Order
Now.
Back to top | Previous
Department | Next Department
|
