And what happened?

After a four-week break from the chemo regime, we had an appointment at the hospital last Thursday, so we went in the hope that we would learn more about what was to happen next.

In fact, the doctor we saw (not the consultant, or the registrar we saw the last time) just asked how Sue was, and a few more questions, prodded and poked her stomach a bit, then said he would arrange a scan in the next few weeks and after that another appointment - which, due due to clinics being full and/or cancelled - will not be until 5th July.

So we leave it all in the Lord's hands, for His timing of events is best and His timetable of disclosing things to us is perfect.



Leave God to order all thy ways,
And hope in Him whate'er betide,
Thou'lt find Him in the evil days
Thy all-sufficient strength and guide;
Who trusts in God's unchanging love,
Builds on the rock that nought can move.

What can these anxious cares avail,
These never-ceasing moans and sighs?
What can it help us to bewail
Each painful moment as it flies?
Our cross and trials do but press
The heavier for our bitterness.

Only thy restless heart keep still,
And wait in cheerful hope; content
To take whate'er His gracious will,
His all-discerning love hath sent;
Nor doubt our inmost wants are known
To Him who chose us for His own.

He knows when joyful hours are best,
He sends them as He sees it meet;
When thou hast borne the fiery test,
And now art freed from all deceit,
He comes to thee all unaware,
And makes thee own His loving care.

Nor in the heat of pain and strife,
Think God hath cast thee off unheard,
And that the man, whose prosperous life
Thou enviest, is of Him preferred;
Time passes and much change doth bring,
And sets a bound to everything.

All are alike before His face;
'Tis easy to our God most High
To make the rich man poor and base,
To give the poor man wealth and joy.
True wonders still by Him are wrought,
Who setteth up, and brings to nought.

Sing, pray, and swerve not from His ways,
But do thine own part faithfully,
Trust His rich promises of grace,
So shall they be fulfilled in thee;
God never yet forsook in need
The soul that trusted Him indeed.

Georg Christian Neumark, 1621-1681
Translated by Catherine Winkworth 1827-1878

Interlude II

Sue is going on well, albeit quietly, so - while we await the next hospital appointment next Thursday (24th) - I thought I would post another hymn :-

"His way is best!" – 'Tis easy
When all around is light;
When men are kind, and all's well,
With no dark cloud in sight.
But when comes down the darkness
Of sickness or of pain,
Of persecution, terror –
'Tis hard faith to retain.

And when your loved ones leave you,
And when the future's bleak,
When hopes are dashed and doubts rise,
And you feel frail and weak;
When no one knows how you feel,
And you feel all alone –
Remember then your Saviour
Who sits upon the throne.

For He was once among us,
He felt your pain and woe;
And now He is your Shepherd,
Who'll never let you go.
But more, He is the God-Man
Who knows the future too –
And He will full accomplish
His perfect plan for you.

He loves His blood-bought people,
He knows your every fear;
He understands supremely,
And stores up every tear.
So as you face the future,
Although to you unknown,
Trust in your sovereign Saviour
Who has made you His own.

Interlude

As you will know, in the goodness of the Lord Sue is having a break from the chemo for a few weeks. We are due to see the consultant on May 24th; what happens after that is unknown to us, but known and planned by our Heavenly Father who will give us - as the need arises - all the grace and and strength we need to cross each bridge we come to in the way to glory.

Meanwhile, rather than leave the blog dormant for a month,I thought I would post some hymns, and this is one that "came to my attention" before the service last night. I found it helpful to meditate on for a few minutes, as many have done over the years; the truths are timeless, as is evidenced by the fact that the author and the translator lived so long ago. Our God is the LORD, and He never changes and is always faithful.

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be for ever with the Lord;
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Katherina von Schlegel, b. 1697
Translated by Jane Laurie Borthwick, 1837-1897