Lettuce, chicken, peas, carrots, blue cheese, broccoli
raisin salad, three bean salad, sunflower seeds, balsamic vinaigrette dressing
with a side of watermelon and pineapple.
Call it my "radiation lunch."
For most of the 30 days of my radiation treatments I stopped at the
store for a radiation lunch before work. I liked the comfort of the routine. It
was part of my "battle plan."
Occasionally I replicate the salad. It brings back the memory of a life
challenge. It brings me peace and
comfort.
Micah 5:1-5a begins with "Marshal your troops..."
in the New International Version or "Mobilize! The enemy lays siege..." in The Living
Bible. In these four and half verses
Micah delivers the bad news, good news, strategy and hope.
The bad news was the enemy was coming. The Israelites would be defeated and abandoned.
The good news was the loss and defeat would be temporary. From an unlikely tribe, the leader will come
to deliver the people. This deliverer will stand in the strength of The Lord
and shepherd the flock in the Name of The Lord.
This shepherd will bring security to the people. He will be their
Peace.
The day before I started the radiation treatments I worked
my battle plan. I planned my routine for
the coming days. I shopped for the
supplies I might need. I prepared for
the siege.
I made a list of friends and family who could drive me to
treatments if I was too tired. I
delegated some responsibilities at work and home. (Thanks to my husband who took all kitchen and laundry duties!) I reminded
myself I was not alone.
Mentally I started the countdown toward Oct.4, the date of
my final treatment. I reinforced the
temporary-ness of this challenge. I
focused on the end of the treatments and my next visit to the oncologist. He shepherded me through my treatment
plan. I actually looked forward to each visit. These appointments became my "pep
talks". He reviewed what progress had
been made. He quickly addressed any
unforeseen issues. He encouraged me with
the prospect of continued healing.
My recent reading of these four and a half verses in Micah remind me that even when I
may feel abandoned and alone. I am not
alone. In the midst of my challenge
stands my Shepherd. He is my
strength. He cares for me and my
flock. He brings peace in the midst of
the current challenge.
I noted in The Living
Bible the word Peace was capitalized.
He would bring the ultimate peace, the peace that reaches to the ends of
the earth. In the NIV the fifth verse is
split between two topic headings. The
section entitled "A Promised Ruler From Bethlehem" ends with
"And he will be their peace."
Verse five is completed in the next section. I like ending with Peace and the source of
the real and ultimate peace. Peace in my
life is my ultimate goal and thankfully Jesus has brought the means for peace
for me, and you. He has brought peace
beyond the world's comprehension.
Notice how the bad news is short but the good news is
full. The good news is:
ü
there is a plan,
ü
we are not alone,
ü
The Peace is coming!
Facing
a life challenge? The Shepherd is with you! You may feel alone and abandoned
but these verses remind us:
God has the plan
God is with us
God is The True Peace and Security.
Life's bad news is temporary. The
Good News is Eternal.
