Widening the Focus
I’m just coming out of my first week of chemo-immunotherapy. Though the process was long (6 hours), it was tolerable. In the ensuing days, I kept waiting for the negative side effects to kick in.
Surprisingly and wonderfully, they were minimal. We are thrilled at this and so very grateful for this answer to prayer. Nonetheless, I cancelled my last scheduled preaching event, which was to have taken place this Sunday, the 27th.
The reason wasn’t physical. It was emotional. After all the stress of these weeks, I just felt out of gas and sensed the need to focus my energies on the situation before me.
That’s one thing that is true whenever one faces a life-altering challenge. Whether it’s a physical condition, a relational breakdown, an occupational disappointment, or a financial setback, it can become all-consuming.
All a person can think about is the crisis at hand. There’s this tunnel vision that crowds out all else.
This was challenged in the past few days when I came to see that there are others who are on a journey every bit as difficult as mine…if not more.
Let me explain.
Kaitie’s Story
When I was in the surgery prep area, waiting to get my port placed, I was surprised to see a familiar family in the room next to me. Jim and Dee LeGault had been long-time attenders at Fellowship, and they were there with their 21-year-old daughter, Kaitie, who was also getting a port.
I came to learn that this young gal has a very rare and extremely aggressive form of cancer. It has spread to multiple organs, and she’s already undergone extensive surgery to remove the largest of the tumors.
I was stunned. It was one thing for me as a 74-year-old to be facing this, but one who was just getting started in life?!?!
A few days later, during my chemo session, there were the LeGaults again. Kaitie was getting her first chemo-immunotherapy treatment too. I have to say, as they wheeled Kaitie in, she didn’t look good. I could tell she was struggling. I spoke to her dad, Jim, as we were leaving, and the look on his face said it all. The prognosis is grim.
Things got worse for Kaitie that night. She spiked a fever and ended up in the hospital for days.
Look Out for Others
As I write this, Kaitie is feeling better, but over these days, I can’t get the LeGault family out of my mind. And then a biblical text came clearly to mind:
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4 NASB)
Notice the words that I’ve italicized. It’s not that a person isn’t to look out for their own personal interests. It’s that a person is to also look out for the interests of others.
That is to say, rather than having tunnel vision as it relates to your own challenges, to widen the focus. While one’s own crisis is deeply personal and painful, so is that of others. And, for the follower of Jesus, that needs to be owned as well.
Outpouring of Intercession
Gwen and I have been so blessed that, by virtue of our history and position, we can solicit and receive the prayer support of so many wonderful people. The responses to Facebook posts and this blog have been overwhelming.
Literally thousands are praying for us. And, believe me, we are so humbled and grateful.
But there’s a young woman named Kaitie who doesn’t have the history or position that I do. And she is no less deserving of an outpouring of intercession.
So, may I ask of you, when you lift me up in prayer, could you offer a word for Kaitie? I’m sure that she and her family would be so grateful.
Specifically, her dad asked that we pray for her to stabilize sufficiently to make an appointment in the Cleveland Clinic this Monday (July 28). Some new treatment is offered there.
As well, Jim requested strength and rest for Dee and himself. And for the capacity to care for their two younger daughters. They are in for a long haul.
I asked Jim if I could share all of this with you, and he readily agreed. If you would like to follow Kaitie’s journey, you can do it via this Caring Bridge link.
It’s interesting that the Chinese word for “crisis” can also be translated “opportunity.” With that in mind, here’s a thought for you to consider. While you’re facing your crisis and looking to your own needs, widen your focus and look for the opportunity to meet the needs of others who are facing their own crisis.
You just may find yourself being a blessing in a very unique way.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Here’s how you can pray for us in the coming days:
PRAY for Kaitie LeGault and her family on their cancer journey. Pray for healing, for wisdom for their medical team, and for strength and rest.
This is an “off” week in the treatment schedule. PRAY that Dave is able to regain some strength and that he does not lose too much weight.
PRAY for total healing.