I AM PREPARED...

After weeks of testing and waiting, June 23rd finally arrived. We sat in that small, cold examining room, and we knew our neurologist would come in any moment and deliver to us news that would confirm what we already knew in our hearts to be true, that Gene had ALS. After agonizing minutes, the doctor finally walked into the room. As he poured over Gene's chart, he asked numerous questions we had already given answers to. He studied Gene's data on his computer and physically examined him once more. He looked again into Gene's chart, as if hoping to see something different this time. I interrupted him and said "we think it is ALS, but none of you will even say the words to us!". He very firmly replied, "Don't worry; I will be completely honest with you". What seemed like several more minutes of silence passed, and then finally the moment of reality came. In a very kind, but confident tone the neurologist said to us, "I am prepared today to make the diagnosis of ALS." How could he speak so confidently to us? How could he be so sure? How could he give us news that seemingly was going to shatter our world, as we knew it? He could because, he had previously taken the time to order the appropriate medical tests, and then he evaluated and analyzed all the data. Years of medical school, and more years of studying the specialty of neurology had prepared and equipped our doctor to give us this grim diagnosis.

As the news sunk in, he handed us a box of Kleenex and braced himself for the reaction he was expecting to have to deal with. He did not get what he was expecting. Oh yes, we were sad and grieved for the losses we were experiencing and for the difficulties we knew lay ahead of us. But we were also prepared; we had been equipped. Much like the doctor, we had also received our training. Years of walking with our faithful God and learning His ways through the study of His Word had prepared us for this moment. We also, like the doctor, have a confidence...confidence that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion...Philippians 1:6.

Many people feel sorry for us, but the truth is, all of us will face this moment someday.

We left the doctor's office with a diagnosis that there is no known cure for. The doctor gave us a plan of action, which we will tell you more about next time. But, don't feel sorry for us, we have hope for our lives. We are not our own; we are in the hands of the Great Physician and He alone decides the time of our departure from this earth. One way that we can "not waste our life" is to point others to Him with whatever time we do have.

With all our love,

Gene and Michele

We would like to close this post with a portion from one of our favorite Psalms...

Psalm 73:21-26;28
When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,
I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.
Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And being with you, I desire nothing on earth.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.