I didn't come this far to only come this far.
They speak of determination, to play the game...and win.
But they're not true,at least not always. Sometimes the game wins, and your king is toppled on the chessboard.
And then you have to learn.
First comes the test, and then the lesson.
The lesson is this, and it was perfectly expressed by Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV):
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Our path in this life is not determined by our goals and our ambitions. It's determined by God, and only He knows where the finish line is.
Our job - our only job - is to keep going, with faith, hope, and love.
There's no 'to only come this far'. Whether we dash across God's finish line, or crawl across it, incontinent and vomiting blood, when we give God everything we have, we've won.
Cancer will beat me at life's game; the past week has taught me this.
But if I stay cheerful, holding up others in my words and prayers, and remaining grateful to God for the blessings that surround me, I will win the Great Game.
There's no 'I' in loser.
But there is one in winner.
Music from Matchbox 20, with Let's See How Far We've Come.
Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback soon.
Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.
Marley, the canine waif from Afghanistan, whom WE helped save, has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.
Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.
Your thoughts here express so well how my brother lived his life. He fought a long and ugly battle with cancer. But after he died, the Lord sent words to me that he had WON his battle. So when I did not say to people, he "lost" his battle with cancer, but I did say that he had "won" his battle with cancer, they could not understand. He fought the fight, he kept the faith, and he won the battle with God's Grace inside of him. Thank you for expressing this so well Andrew. You are a blessing, even in the midst of your struggle. You are in my prayers so much.
ReplyDeleteBettie, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for sharing this. And thank you, especially, for your prayers!
DeleteAmen! The only thing we can drag across the finish line is our relationship with Jesus. All the stuff here doesn't matter.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Anita! And I suspect that sometimes it's Him, dragging US! Sure feels that way here, now.
DeleteThank you so much for being here.
oh, interesting take. Liked it
ReplyDeleteAnnette, thank you so much!
DeleteA hug for your heart COURAGEOUS Andrew. Many prayers for you & Barb.
ReplyDeleteAnnie, I am thinking this is you! Thank you so much...the prayers are truly needed.
DeleteThat wasn't me, Andrew. Someone else loves y'all the way I do!
ReplyDeleteThis post reminds me of the song by Standing Tall called "Winner Either Way."
I'm a winner either way. If I go or if I stay, I'll have my Jesus each passing day. I'll have my healing here below, or life forever if I go. Praise God, I'm a winner either way.
Hugs from Annie in Texas
Annie, wo...I'm so honoured by love. Truly.
DeleteI haven't hard that song; going to look for it now.
Hugs back, from me an Barb and special Mastiff Hugs from Strawberry the Baby Bullmastiff.
Andrew, you are surely a winner and will cross that finish line as bravely as you have lived each day. Having watched my BIL fight his battle, the day he slipped out of this world, I truly felt he received the victor's crown. The enemy would seek to tell us we "lost", but holding onto one's faith till the end ... well there is something most victorious in this. Praying for you and Barb, Andrew. I'm blessed to have had our paths cross!
ReplyDeleteJoanne, thank you for sharing this...and yes, there is everything victorious in holding faith to the end.
DeleteWe thank you so much for your prayers, and for the blessing of your presence here, in our life.
It's all fodder, that which isn't Christ-related. Just give me Jesus♫
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Susan!
DeleteThank you for your gritty, determined faith, Andrew! This life will make messes of us all. At least when we fall in this race we're running we have a Savior who will help us up so we can cross the finish line where He will be our reward. Grace to you in Jesus' name!
ReplyDeleteVicki, you're so right...life does number on us. And yes, Jesus will set us back up, or like in the beautiful poem 'Footsteps', carry us.
DeleteGrace back, and LOVED your FMF post thi week. Geometry is a special love or me.
I'm a Winner Either Way
ReplyDelete(sung by Standing Tall - and other groups on youtube)
A loved one knew he'd reached the end of life's journey.
But he'd been holding to God's hand a long long time.
As I knelt beside his bed,
My heart was thrilled by what he said:
If I go, or if I stay, the victory's mine.
I'm a winner either way, if I go or if I stay,
I'll still have my Jesus each passing day.
I'll have my healing here below, or life forever if I go.
Praise the Lord! I'm a winner either way.
None of us really know about tomorrow.
We must prepare to go to Heaven any day.
But while we're here we'll serve the Lord.
He'll lead us safe to our reward.
By His grace, we'll be a winner either way.
I'm a winner either way, if I go or if I stay.
I'll still have my Jesus each passing day.
I'll have my healing here below, or life forever if I go.
Praise the Lord! I'm a winner either way.
More hugs from Annie in Texas
Annie, this is beautiful; thank you so much!
DeleteHugs back!
That verse is perfect. You continue to fight the good fight. One day you will finish the race. But until then there are so many praying with and for you. You are not in this alone.
ReplyDeleteTara, I truly feel the love and support of so many, carrying me along. Thank you!
DeleteYou're a hero to me.
ReplyDeleteJan, I'm humbled and honoured. Thank you so much.
DeletePraying for you today and sending a song: https://youtu.be/MpScEpriWZs
ReplyDeleteI don't know if the link works but anyway... Love to you and Barb and furry friends,
Kathryn in SC
Kathryn, thank you so much! 'When Trials Come' is such a beautiful song. Love back, from all of us
Deletehttps://youtu.be/Yu3o8W5JMuU ........ sharing the beauty of the music, even more than the words. And thinking of Barbara especially.
ReplyDeleteJane, this is wonderful...it's one of Barbara's favourites, and she LOVES both Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli. Thank you!
DeleteWow, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteWhat a brave lens to look at eternity through. Being confident in your faith will carry you through!
Lauren, thank you so much for this affirmation. It means a lot to me, as does your presence here today.
DeleteThank you, Andrew, for continuing to push yourself into uncomfortable places and situations for the benefit of those who follow your lead here. And you truly are a leader, in very inspiring ways! I also love that statement--there's no "i" in loser only winner! I'm going to remember and use that one! Praying for you, friend!
ReplyDeleteBeth, thank you so much for this affirmation...and most especially for your prayers.
Delete