Ann Sophie and I (Nelson) read the Bible, 1 chapter every day and have done so in chronological order since we got married almost 5 years ago now. We’re on our second run though it. 

The funny thing is: if you do this and don’t skip around, your circumstances line up with the reading in an uncanny way. For example, right when I received my Cancer diagnosis, we started the book of Job. 

If you know the book of Job at all, the majority of it is consumed by a series of monologues coming from Job’s friends who visit him, all taking on a little different flavor. Some say he’s being punished for sin, others say he should do something or needs to realize something to make the judgement of God stop. Job’s own wife even delivers a shocking message of her own!

Either way, they all have a message for Job. 

I mentioned this to Ann Sophie and how similar it is to what we have going here (if you put me in Job’s position). Many people have come and gone since we moved to Rochester and everyone brings a message or leaves us with a feeling. Some come to help set up furniture (Thank you!!!) Some bring a word of encouragement or help take care of little Will. Some have known me all my life, and call almost wanting to say goodbye. I mean stage 4 lung cancer, right?

But the one common reaction almost everyone has though is this: Surprise. 

“Wow! I’m shocked by your optimism.”

“It’s amazing, you and Ann Sophie have such a positive vibe going here.”

“You sound much better than I expected.”

“You look better than I thought you would.”

“I’m so encouraged by our talk.”

“What a blessing is has been to see you, talk to you in person, hear your voice, etc…”

And I guess what I would say is that even though my diagnosis is grim on paper and maybe most folks who get what I have don’t last too long, I have just one approach at this point.

God gave me a beautiful little family. He also gave me a fairly good composition. The docs have given me good odds and told me about treatments we are going to try that my body is likely to respond well to. So many people have committed to us in prayer. I can hardly believe all the cards and letters and gifts we’ve been given. I’m even excited to be an encouragement to others who have what I have once we’re out of the woods at some point in the future. I have NO PLAN to say goodbye to anyone or get in that mode at all. Some might say I’m in denial. Maybe, But one thing I know is this: the war is won and lost on the battlefield of the mind and that’s the only battle I can actually control. And that battle actually controls the outcome.

That being said… and for me and my house, we are living every day like it’s the last and every day like it’s the first of many more to come. We’re committed to the God who can heal me and we are walking that out day-by-day. That’s my proclamation and the only way forward for us. There’s no plan B. I have the most dynamic, optimistic, beautiful woman on the planet and a 15 week old baby boy who need me to stay alive for as long as possible and alive is what I’m going to stay!