the unity of community

It's been a long past few days...capped off by cancer surgery today for my wife, Liz. We had a 5:30 am appointment at our local hospital, so of course we awoke several times last night, just to make sure we didn't sleep through the alarm. And (of course!) Liz was downstairs and ready to go by 5:00- she just wanted to make sure she was gonna be on time for her big day!

Everything went according to plan today: easy, efficient and compassionate check-in and prep; surgery on schedule and a confident doctor (that's a real good quality!); encouraging post-operative report and prognosis for the days ahead. We all breathed a huge sigh of relief today, as everything seemed to dovetail together in a positive way.

But Liz and I both believe there was a huge contributing factor to all the good of the day: we were surrounded by the prayers and presence of brothers and sisters who took it upon themselves to intercede on our behalf, to stand in the gap for us, to be there for us and offer their assistance, to pray for God's healing, strength and peace over our lives.

As news went out of Liz's condition through word of mouth, Facebook, texts, etc., people began to contact us to find out more and tell us that they were praying for us. Many at church connected with us yesterday, and last night and today there were so, so many Facebook notes that indicated our family in Christ was standing firm with us. Some were fasting and praying for Liz, others offered post-op meals (and other help), still others let us know that they would be present today during surgery. And they were. Friends rose from throughout the country and (literally) the world to encourage us.

Needless to say, we're overwhelmed with such a response. As I posted on Facebook, I think Liz and I are accustomed to being providers of care and love to others in times of need, and we forget what it's like to be on the other side of the issue. We're humbled to the point of tears, and thankful for friends and family who understand the place and strength of relationships. Which brings me to the crux of things as I write tonight: this kind of love and concern is what the church is supposed to be about.

We're designed in Christ to be closely connected. Consider some pictures of the Church in Scripture- we're likened to a family, a body, a building. Such images depict an interlocking oneness, a relational intimacy, a one-for-all and all-for-one attitude. Because church

is not somewhere we go, but something we are. It's not an organization but an organism. Not a location, but a people.

And it's this relational aspect that brings and binds us together as one. We're designed to be so interwoven that the Apostle Paul could say that "if one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." (1 Corinthians 12:26) Our joys and trials are not supposed to be experienced alone, but rather in conjunction with each other. We're designed to do life together, standing with each other, strengthening each other, struggling and laughing with each other.

These last few days, Liz and I have sensed this kind of relationship. Our brothers and sisters really are there for us- neighbors, co-workers, teammates, friends from high school and from last month. People with whom we share daily, and those we've not heard from in a long time. Family from throughout the US, from Canada, Mexico, Bolivia, India, Kenya, the Philippines, Australia, Korea, and a few more wonderful places. We're blessed beyond measure, and know that our part now is to pay this love forward to others who will need it like we have.

Thank you, family, for being there for us. We still have some rough patches ahead, but we're confident we'll get through them by God's grace...and your partnership. Keep sharing, praying, connecting and loving like you have- with those like us who are going through life's trials.

Because that's what you're designed to do.

why?

A whirlwind of thoughts and activities recently, many of them troubling, unsettling, and without certain (immediate) conclusions or answers. We received word a few days ago that one of our good friends and leaders of the Ann Street Church of Christ in Brisbane, Australia, suddenly died. Des Mann was only 33, an energetic and athletic soul (actually, sometimes more of an oversized kid!), chairman of the church board, high school chaplain, husband, friend, and servant of Christ. He suffered a heart attack and left us far too soon. Left friends and loved ones in a state of shock and disbelief. Left a gap that will take much time to fill. Left us all with many more questions than answers...at least for the moment.

Then yesterday, I received word that Don Slauson, good friend and head of our church's custodial department, had been hospitalized with heart problems. I spent time at the hospital with him and his family, as we waited for the doctor's analysis of the situation. Fortunately, he was stabilized and was doing much better by the end of the day. One of the ironies here is that Don and Betsy's daughter, Daun, is living in Brisbane, ministering with Ann Street- so she is doubly torn and suffering.

Over all this, my wonderful wife, Liz, was diagnosed last month with endometrial cancer (stage 1) and will have surgery to remove it in a couple of days. We've been processing that and re-evaluating our lives, ministry and focus in light of such sobering news. God has been more than gracious, and we've known His peace and presence in a fresh and powerful way. Liz has been remarkable (sure, I'm a little biased, but I do see her every day and I know!) in the whole thing, and her faith has provided a serenity and assurance that has carried her, as well as those of us around her, securely to this point.

In times like these, it's easy and normal to ask, "Why me?" But I heard Liz say a couple of weeks ago, "Why not me?" Hmmm. After all, if we are the ones who claim to have hope both in this life and beyond, we claim to know Someone who carries us through such storms, and we say we want our God to work mightily through us, then why not us? That has a certain ring of authenticity and truth to it.

It's hard to know why certain events happen why and when they do. An untimely tragedy, an unforeseen disease, an unscheduled disaster. And even though there are often pat answers and standards cliches (especially from those not immediately impacted), real answers are harder to find- at least in the moment. There is so much more that I don't know than that I do. But there are some thoughts that keep coming back to mind, via God's words:

• Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. (Job 1:21)
• Shall we accept good from the Lord and not calamity?" (Job 2:10b)
• "For I know the plans I have for you," declared the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
• "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8,9)
• The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
• Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith... (1 Peter 5:8,9a)
• Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13)
• And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

There's something big going on around us, something larger and more ferocious than can be seen with mortal eyes. A drama being played out in the heavenly realms. And that means that there will always be more that we don't comprehend than that we do. But we can hold on to what we do know and what God has already shown us. For surely, if He's been faithful to this point, He will continue to be faithful past this point. And He will weave life events together, be they good, difficult or even unbearable, into a tapestry that will ultimately display His goodness, His glory, and His victory in and through us.

Just keep holding on.