The hard road

Some time ago I had an opportunity to hear Richard Wurmbrand speak. I remember it well because I had an orphaned lamb in the car. On the way out the door to hear this fellow speak, a neighbourhood farmer had called. A lamb had just been born and the mother rejected it. The farmer had far too many others to care for and short of us picking up this orphan and giving it a shot at life, he was going to have to let it die.

I grabbed a sweater and some formula on my way out the door and picked up the lamb on the way to to hear Richard Wurmbrand. During the meeting I had to keep slipping out to see how the bleating frightened orphan was doing.

Richard Wurmbrand spoke about suffering that night. The lamb waiting in the car taught me about caring. I named him Gershwin and after a shaky start, he thrived. When he grew up we had send him to the slaughter house because Gershwin never learned to be a sheep. He was never able to bond with the other sheep we pastured. Like his mother, they too rejected him. We tried all we knew.  He thought he was people. As a ram, Gershwin became too difficult to manage, he was always so glad to see his two legged friends, he would knock us right off our feet.

Funny the connections our minds make. Tonight my heart breaks for two families and two people I have followed online for several years.

I’ve never met Glenn Penner, the Canadian CEO of Voice of the Martyrs. I have deep regard for the ethical and transparent way he has guided the Canadian arm of the work Richard Wurmbrand founded; for his dedication in giving voice to the voiceless, and for his clear calls for justice and care for the lost, forgotten, orphaned, beleaguered and suffering believers around the world. I have appreciated his willingness to dialogue, to treat others with dignity. I’ve learned from his clear, grounded ethics, and gentle correction.

Glenn is dying, he was diagnosed with cancer nearly seven years ago. He has gotten up and been knocked down. Some time ago he made the decision to stop fighting, and to live the rest of his life as a father, husband, friend and advocate well.
December 20th he had to go back into hospital, suffering from unbearable pain. Today he was awake enough to write:

I am not doing well, to put it quite simply. This morning was was one of considerable pain again. Plus trying to find ways to free up my bladder and bowel movements, and you can tell that life is one big bowel of cherries for me.

It just seems that life is tough right now. I am hallucinating from time to time and yesterday I really really wrestled with whether my life was coming to an end. I still feel that I have things that I want to do however. I am not ready to call it quits yet. But life is getting harder and harder to live and fighting yet another bout of pneumonia has stretched me. So please pray that I will be ready to go when God wants me to go.

Another active voice has been still. Just after Thanksgiving Micheal Spencer of the Internet Monk, a guy who always has lots to say, often passionately, always clearly; disappeared from his blog. Michael was subsequently diagnosed with colon cancer which has metastasized. He underwent brain surgery Christmas eve. Michael is an SBC minister and a teacher. Like Glenn he has things he wants to do, cancer’s lonely, relentless appearance wasn’t part of his plan. Michael managed to leave a post for his readers December 31st as he tries to regain physical strength to begin treatment.

Thanks for all the love and continuing prayers. Am I wrong to ask for more, more and many more?
I have a cancer diagnosis. It’s complex, but has been quickly diagnosed once I was in the Markey cancer center. We know have a plan. Many weeks as some of you know, but that is my life for now.
God is meeting our needs in every was. Enjoy his love and upholding power. This is all working a mighty work in me.
It will be weeks + before I can think about regular work. I love chaplain Mike. You do the same and keep it together here at IM.
Needs now: Pray for healing of brain surgery and successful further work.
I am almost too dizzy to walk. Should improve slowly, but all that is unsure.
…If you feel bad or are having signs, listen and go get evaluated
The book remains close to schedule. Pray that when time comes, it will be ready and will help us with resources and you with motivation.
Pray for me. My head is awkward. I use a walker. I sleep with many bad dreams. This is a time of dependence, faith and humility. There are millions who are living out this road. I’m just one. Thank God for all of you and God’s great blessings.

I write a lot about bad behavior here at BDBO. Always, always in the back of my mind and my heart are those who will never get attention or accolades or wind up in a BDBO blog rant because of their infamy. There are unknown thousands and tens of thousands of Christians who live faithfully, steadily, cheerfully and with honour in all walks of life. They serve without complaint, carry their own burdens, do justice, love mercy and walk humbly. They are my heroes.

For Glenn and Michael (The Book of Common Prayer)

This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.

For the Penner and Spencer families (a Jewish prayer)

God, be present to those who provide help for the ill and troubled among us. May they be filled with the fortitude and courage, endowed with sympathy and compassion, as they give strength to those at their side. May they fight against despair, and continue to find within themselves the will to reach out to those in need. And in their love of others, may they know the blessing of community, and the blessing of renewed faith.

I commend you to the care of the great, chief and good Shepard.