A devotion from former faithful Trinity church member Fred Whitlatch.
His faithfulness will be remembered.
2nd Corinthians 1: 3, 4. Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God
of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to
comfort those who are troubled with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
The doctor called at about 10:30 am on a Monday morning and asked if I could possibly meet him at his office. That was Labor Day, September 3rd. We have all had bad things happen to us. I suppose cancer would qualify as one of those bad things and that news is given daily to thousands of people. “That day” for me was Labor Day, September 3, 2012. I had recently had a CT scan to look for a source of some shoulder and rib pain that was lingering and, I assumed, was most likely a part of turning 60 years old. It was not.
I told Debby that the doctor had called and wanted to meet with me at his office. Knowing that meeting me on a holiday could not be a routine consultation, I had asked if Debby should come as well. I’m sure we were both praying most of the way to the doctors’ office. After a friendly greeting, he explained it was most likely cancer, was present in the lungs, vertebrae and ribs and possibly more. Only a biopsy and PET scan could fill in the details.
The details came a couple of weeks later—stage 4 adenocarcinoma in both lungs, several vertebrae, several ribs, both scapulae, left clavicle, and left femur. It was too widespread for radiation or surgery. Chemotherapy might slow it, or stop it, or even shrink it but was not likely to cure it. Untreated, it would most likely cause death within 10 months. Treated, it would be hard to guess but could extend life for several years.
That’s when things became easy. In man’s hands a cure is next to impossible; in God’s hands anything is possible. Turning it over to God brought me comfort and peace. Through the ensuing months, I have truly felt the comfort from the God of all comfort. I have been comforted by literally thousands of people around the world through prayers offered in my behalf; through books and videos and cd’s; through emails and cards; through cookies and cakes decorated with real smiles; through hugs and embraces; through acts of kindness and help; and through tears we’ve shared while trying not to.
Having felt the extent and depth of God’s comfort, I know now that I want to give that kind of comfort to others. I want others to feel what I have felt of God through others. I understand it is my responsibility to offer what I have been given by God and through Him it will be multiplied. No matter how large or small your offer may be, make it. God will take care of the rest.
May God Bless Your Offering of Comfort.
Fred Whitlatch
The doctor called at about 10:30 am on a Monday morning and asked if I could possibly meet him at his office. That was Labor Day, September 3rd. We have all had bad things happen to us. I suppose cancer would qualify as one of those bad things and that news is given daily to thousands of people. “That day” for me was Labor Day, September 3, 2012. I had recently had a CT scan to look for a source of some shoulder and rib pain that was lingering and, I assumed, was most likely a part of turning 60 years old. It was not.
I told Debby that the doctor had called and wanted to meet with me at his office. Knowing that meeting me on a holiday could not be a routine consultation, I had asked if Debby should come as well. I’m sure we were both praying most of the way to the doctors’ office. After a friendly greeting, he explained it was most likely cancer, was present in the lungs, vertebrae and ribs and possibly more. Only a biopsy and PET scan could fill in the details.
The details came a couple of weeks later—stage 4 adenocarcinoma in both lungs, several vertebrae, several ribs, both scapulae, left clavicle, and left femur. It was too widespread for radiation or surgery. Chemotherapy might slow it, or stop it, or even shrink it but was not likely to cure it. Untreated, it would most likely cause death within 10 months. Treated, it would be hard to guess but could extend life for several years.
That’s when things became easy. In man’s hands a cure is next to impossible; in God’s hands anything is possible. Turning it over to God brought me comfort and peace. Through the ensuing months, I have truly felt the comfort from the God of all comfort. I have been comforted by literally thousands of people around the world through prayers offered in my behalf; through books and videos and cd’s; through emails and cards; through cookies and cakes decorated with real smiles; through hugs and embraces; through acts of kindness and help; and through tears we’ve shared while trying not to.
Having felt the extent and depth of God’s comfort, I know now that I want to give that kind of comfort to others. I want others to feel what I have felt of God through others. I understand it is my responsibility to offer what I have been given by God and through Him it will be multiplied. No matter how large or small your offer may be, make it. God will take care of the rest.
May God Bless Your Offering of Comfort.
Fred Whitlatch
