{"id":181,"date":"2023-08-09T11:33:20","date_gmt":"2023-08-09T15:33:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hirtfamily.net\/chris\/?p=181"},"modified":"2023-08-09T11:33:20","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T15:33:20","slug":"tension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hirtfamily.net\/chris\/2023\/08\/09\/tension\/","title":{"rendered":"Tension"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This picture was taken in the lobby at the infusion clinic when the kids came to visit. They stepped out of the clinic and their spirits immediately lifted, their faces bright and alive after being in a chemo infusion center. All around them were tropical plants, plants that are seen in yards in our neighborhood, some even at the front of our house. It was like if a US Midwesterner had been in a desert and walked around a corner and saw daisies, marigolds, zinnias, and tulips. I asked them curiously, “What are you thinking?”. One kid said, “It feels like home!” Joy and grief were evident in the same moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our original return date for Thailand came and went like a flash.  For better or for worse I am seeing all the \u201cback to school\u201d posts for our friends and community back in Thailand.  We were not there to greet our friends who returned to Asia after a year away…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The grief from this whole situation can be heavy at times, excruciating even in some moments.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Round 4 chemo, Monday 8\/7, went very well. Chris is a master at letting his body rest after the Benadryl and he sleeps through much of it, especially since we continue to be gifted with a private room. The Nurse Practitioner said that his PET scan was “perfection”. It is amazing that after just three treatments the PET scan could not find any cancer remaining! In addition, his blood work was perfect! It was the first time in this whole journey that the entire blood panel was normal! JOY!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We rejoice over how well Chris is- during his chemo journey and the progress seen in the PET scan, but that does not negate the grief that is felt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joy and grief can exist in the same space, it is a special kind of tension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus shared vulnerably with his disciples: in this world you will have trouble\u2026I have overcome the world (John 16:33).  In the midst of the trouble there can be, there is overcoming.  The One who overcame came in the trouble.  There is no amount of trouble that can prevent his overcoming. This overcoming may not be when we want it or how we would prefer it. I can imagine that the disciples felt this tension when they realized that the Messiah had come (joy!) , but not quite to their preferences (grief!). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lord, help us live out the joy of your overcoming, even if it is not to our preferences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lord, be our comforter as we grieve, as we mourn, in the midst of indescribable joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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