The Lingering Unwelcome Guest
Mary Ryckman died on New Year's day. No one saw it coming. She was newly retired. She was full of energy as she directed her considerable talents to new and important endeavors. She had just finished hosting her famous New Year's Eve party. Two hours later she was gone. Why is it that as we get older the reminders of mortality seem to come more and more frequently?
Terry called for the results of her most recent blood test. Once again this was to be a routine report. Once again it was not. Her CEA levels are elevated. The last time this indicated another tumor lingering somewhere undetected. A scan is scheduled for January 17. Another round of chemotherapy begins on Thursday. In the meantime she feels well and she is back at work drumming up business for the Lake Louise Christian Community.
I am beginning to learn that life is lived with the lingering presence of an unwelcome guest. That guest is the ever-present possibility of illness and death. This is not a guest given to eviction. It is a guest that demands accommodation. By that I mean it is a guest that we must learn to live around. It is a guest that will, if we let it, consume all of our attention. It is also a guest that will finally have its way with us, but it need not have its way today.
I am learning that the best attitude toward this unwelcome guest is benign neglect. I am learning that we must live as fully as is possible in the present moment without regard to the schedule of this unwelcome guest. It is faith that allows this living - faith defined as a radical trust in God.
- Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.- Refrain:
I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
- Refrain:
- “Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. - Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.