Reflection:

We have a friend, by the name of Phil, who is a talented musician. He is a teller of funny stories, and he weaves them into his lyrics. Recently, though, he told me about being diagnosed with prostate cancer. At first, the cancer was small, and the doctors weren’t worried. But later, they discovered two more spots on his ribs, and he was suddenly looking at terminal cancer. Within three days, Phil was on the table, having surgery. He said that as he lay there, he was filled with terror. He couldn’t stop shaking. But then, in the terror, Psalm 23 came to his mind, and he began to recite verse 4 over and over again, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley …’ Slowly the fear and terror began to leave. He felt peace. He knew that God was with him in the room, and it was God’s call if he lived or if he died. Two months later, Phil found out that the cancer had been removed. But more than that, he says that he’s changed. Now, when he wakes up, he looks outside, sees the sunlight, and says thank you to God, for another day to live. He never did that before.

Prayer:

Lord, I thank you that you are also with me, even in terror and shaking. Thank you that you never leave me. Please show me again to respond to you, on this new day — another day to live.