I’ve got to be honest. I have had some fear and anxiety as we approached today: Chris’ appointment for testing and results at Northwestern. The past several weeks he has had an ongoing cough, a sinus infection, random twinges of nerve pain in his leg, and on top of that he hurt his chest doing water sports.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, remembering that as members of the same body you are called to live in harmony, and never forget to be thankful.
Colossians 3:15
Phew!
The verse does not say, when things are going swell feel Christ’s peace. Maybe that’s more Hallmark style. Paul urges a conscious decision on our part to allow the peace that Christ has given to rule in our hearts…and don’t forget to live in harmony and be thankful. What does Christ’s peace ruling within us look like in the space between the now and the not yet…or for us today: the space between the test and the results? This last week I have been chewing on “rule” as Americans don’t typically like “rule”, but Thailand is familiar and accustomed to rule (Thailand is a constitutional monarchy). I’ve settled on “be the leader”. I’m trying to consciously allow the peace of Christ, his truths, to be the leader in my mind and heart rather than other options, like ruminating worries.
A simple, “scans look great” from our neuro-oncologist was both a gift and relief to us today. Our medical team in Chicago continues to be pleased with Chris’ images and blood work, though he is still in a recovery phase. It is a clear “steady on” from them with another scan to check in mid-October.
Thank you for your continued love and prayers for our family as we walk this journey. We welcome you to join us in prayer:
- For Luis as he attends a camp focused on high schoolers who have grown up abroad.
- For Chris to be healed of a long running cough (since May) as he starts antibiotics today
- We thank God for these good results, good family time these past few weeks
- For discussions regarding Chris return to work and resuming his responsibilities with Wycliffe
If you’ve read this far, the post’s picture is one that I love for the simple joy on Emalene’s face 🙂
For situations very different than yours, I also have an ongoing battle within myself about thinking too much, wrestling with things in my mind that only the Lord can possibly know. Really trusting is a high hurdle for me too often. Psalms 103:14,
For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
This day for both of you and your family is an encouragement, and a reminder once again, over and over, that our God is good and he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. XO
If the doctor says the scans look great, then they DO look great! Take a deep breath and relax into that intermediate report. Whatever the October report May reveal, these next months are a gift. Lean back and enjoy this gift. 🥰🙏🏻👍
Excellent news! PTL!🙏🏽🙌🏽
Grateful! For the news and for the good word.
Great news! Thank you God for being with Chris and the family during this time. I’m happy for all of you 🙂
Praising God with you, and continuing to lift you up in prayer.
Praise God for the good report! Praying with you for the cough to leave, for Luis at camp,, and for the ongoing unknowns regarding work and health. Love you all.
One of God’s encouraging words to me has been Isaiah 41:10. “So do not fear, for I am with you: do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
God is with us in both the good days and hard ones. Praying for all of your family.
Rejoicing with you.
The place between the now, and the not yet is an uncomfortable place for me. Your encouragement to allow the peace of God to rule in our hearts -in those uncomfortable places, is just what I needed to hear this morning. Thank you for sharing that. It spoke to me this morning.
Thanks to God for your good news and I pray for quick healing from the cough and its cause.
Praise the Lord for answered prayer.
We continue to bring your requests before he throne of God in our daily devotions.
Your garden looks great!
Praise God and may you have His peace as you continue on this journey of returning to health.
I too am grateful for the good report! 1 Timothy 6:12 has been speaking to me about “fight the good fight”. It’s a fight alright to keep trusting, praying, and believing in whatever area we need it. Not knowing is one of the hardest and now we know again and it’s good. Blessings to you and the family.
Of course you were “on edge” as you waited once again for the word that signals reprieve. You have the advantage of sensitivity to the shortness of life that feels so palpable…it is a poignant reminder that each day is new and a wonder.
We are so GRATEFUL with you for this encouraging word and for your sweet expressions that THE WORD lingers near every day. We love you. Karen and with Steve
Thanking God for this good news and praying with you all!
I’m praising God for the joy I see on Emalene’s face, God’s peace that I hear in your words, for Chris’ smile in the midst of a long medical day, and for God’s healing. Every time I read your newsletters, I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness and His sweet gifts.
Hurray! I’m very glad to hear this positive result, and will continue to keep your family in prayer in the months ahead.
Thank God for such good news. May the scans be even better in Oct. Thanks for your prayers as I do so some med screening here in Chicago while we visit 2 of our kids for 2 months. Thanks for sharing so vulnerably so I can take lead while waiting for my results. – rg
So glad to hear that the tests went well! 11 hours in the hospital sure sounds like a LONG day. I rejoice with you and pray for continued strength, energy, and healing. I hope Luis has a great time at camp, and I love the picture of Emalene in the car window- the joy of life and the beauty of God’s creation combined!
What wonderful news Chris!!
It seems as though, in our own flesh, everything is so difficult but a verse of encouragement to me is John 14:27.
I just saw this now as gmail had “decided” to put your news in my “Updates” folder, sigh. I think I have trained it not to do that for future updates. Well, praise God. And I must say, I love the joyful picture of Emalene looking out the window. What a pure and beautiful picture of trust. And we know that we can trust our Heavenly Father. May he be glorified, and may you see the good he has for you and your family!
Dawson
Thank you, Lord for Chris’ recovery Thank you, Becca for the news. We’ll be still praying.
God is so good, so faithful and worthy of all praise.
Praising God with you for the good report!
We are all blessed to hear this good news, although we will pray for the cough and other minor things as Chris heals wouldn’t it be wonderful to see him back at work!
Grateful for your good news!
Wonderful news!!Chris and Becca so grateful how you have continuously,faithfully” walked out “your faith.”..you are such an encouragement.I will be keeping you in prayer.
We couldn’t be happier for you Chris and Becca! You’ve shown such poise, grace and trust through this-not that you’re obligated to. We trust that you will be able to continue to grow as a family in the coming months!
Praising God with you for good news! Thanks for sharing.
How does one leave some brief comment that you hope might inspire or encourage following the stunning revalation by Becca of God’s power at work within their sweet family. I’ve got nothing…just the smile on my face as I learn from another chapter of Life with God from the Chris and Becca Show! If your family will keep on teaching, I’ll keep trying to learn!
Loved Emalene’s photo…the glow of God is all about her!
Loved the results and felt the Holy Spriit move within me as I read them!
Loved Chris’ studly ‘hospital outfit’ in the waiting room! Few things help you ‘bare’ your soul to God like a rear opening hospital gown! Who designed those things??
Our love and prayers continue to envelope your precious family! So grateful for you all!
Uncle Tom and Family
Praising the Lord with you all!! This is great news.!!!! Continued prayers for Chris’ cough to be healed as well and for Luis that camp will be a great experience for him🙏🏻
Praising God with you for a good report! Praying for God’s leading in ‘next steps!” Always good to see you–and your family–ACTIVE on Strava! 🙂
Thankful with you to hear the words, “scans look great” and “steady on.” And I LOVE the picture of Emalene! Continuing to pray for all of you.
Love the good reporting! Praying on for you all!
Love the good report! Praying on for you all!
Dear Chris and Rebecca,
I am really encouraged by your resilience and progress. Thank you for your news. Please do exercise caution in resuming your duties. You certainly don’t want to overdo it. I had this experience in March and April this year. Then, the MRIs were not so positive.
Blessings, Ken
So happy for the good news! Thank you for your report. We will pray for Chris’s ability to overcome his other issues, and for another good report in October.
Thanks be to God for Chris’s healing, and love and prayers to all of you in this long dark journey.
Keeping you all in my prayers. 💖
So so thankful for these positive reports. Thank you for the encouragement to truly meditate on Christ’s peace. It is an honor to read your thoughts and experiences on wrestling with and growing into Him.
So THANKFUL for you all!!