I Know Whom I Have Believed

When your husband is told he has aggressive brain cancer, life changes. Plans change. Your dreams change from imagining growing old to hoping we can enjoy Christmas.

You begin to be thankful for a smile across the table, a warm hug, holding hands on a walk around the yard.

It has been almost two yeas since Ed was diagnosed with GBM. By some reports, only 5% of GBM patients survive two years. We are grateful God gave us many good months with Ed. But no amount of time will never feel like enough. It is hard to know that Ed's future life on earth is likely to be counted by months.


Lunch at the Clinical Center

Our visits with Ed's doctors have confirmed our suspicion. Since this is the third progression of Ed's tumor, he has limited medical options. We can try more treatment, but it is doubtful that it will extend Ed's life by more than a few months. Please pray for us as we make decisions.

(Just a note, please don't send us information on an alternative medical treatment that you have read about online. I've spent untold hours researching brain cancer, so it is not likely you'll tell me anything new.)

In the meantime, we are enjoying glimpses of spring. Last week was lovely with warmer temperatures, and we all tried to soak in some sunshine.

Now the weather is cold again and spring feels a long way away.

I'm glad for a few forsythia branches that I brought into the house to force into bloom. They give me hope that spring is coming soon.

My sister gave us her piano since our old piano had some broken keys. We are enjoying making music again.

A new piano prompted a reorganization of some other furniture, which gave us room for a new...well....I'll save that for another post.

A song that has been playing through my head recently is based on 2 Timothy 1. This chapter has so many great verses. Here is a few excerpts.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord... 

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus...

Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel...

For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:7-12)

I Know Whom I Have Believed
by David W. Whittle

1. I know not why God’s wondrous grace
   To me He hath made known,
   Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
   Redeemed me for His own.
   • Refrain:
     But “I know Whom I have believed,
     And am persuaded that He is able
     To keep that which I’ve committed
     Unto Him against that day.”
2. I know not how this saving faith
   To me He did impart,
   Nor how believing in His Word
   Wrought peace within my heart.
3. I know not how the Spirit moves,
   Convincing men of sin,
   Revealing Jesus through the Word,
   Creating faith in Him.
4. I know not what of good or ill
   May be reserved for me,
   Of weary ways or golden days,
   Before His face I see.
5. I know not when my Lord may come,
   At night or noonday fair,
   Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
   Or meet Him in the air.

You can listen to the hymn below. (If reading by email, click over to the blog.)