Facing the Monsters

It’s a MONSTER! When I was a young girl, I used to dream that there were “monsters” in my room. My monsters were specifically in the form of monkeys that danced in the closet and under my bed. They weren’t cute little monkeys, but scary ones (a la Wizard of Oz). And there wasn’t just one, there were LOTS of them. For me, this was a recurring dream throughout my childhood.

I remember one time, when I lived in Ohio (so I was under 4 years old), dreaming the monkey monsters were there, then suddenly having my Dad there to tell me it was OK. To me, there is no more precious picture than a parent sitting on the edge of the bed of a frightened child ready to chase the monsters away! Even when they would “come back” in my dreams, I knew that someone was going to be there to help me face them.

I think, as we age, we still find “monsters” that invade our lives. Lately, I find myself thinking like the young girl in the movie, “Poltergeist”, “THEY’RE BAACK!” Only this time, it’s not me who is facing them. It is, rather, those around me. And, it’s not a parent who can make them go away—for these not imaginary monkeys but real events and situations. Sometimes doctors and modern medicine can do it. And sometimes they can’t. It’s hard to watch. It’s hard to think about. And, quite frankly, at times it makes me downright scared.

The “cancer” monster has really reared its ugly head with both family and friends recently. As many of you know, my SIL, Heather has been fighting cancer for several months. And, although we’ve kind of watched it from the distance, she is never far from our thoughts and prayers as she continues the journey toward healing.

In the last three to four weeks, I have watched three friends get the “news” that they or a family member have been diagnosed with cancer. Just like my “monkey monsters”, it seems to multiply, doesn’t it?

My friend, and colleague, C, has had a relentless cough since November. She finally had it checked out about a month ago, and the doctor saw something “suspicious”. She is a breast cancer survivor of five years. It seems that she now has a tumor on the esophagus that is causing the cough. After a PET scan and several other tests, C, has been told that she has cancer in the esophagus, breast, and bones. It’s not good.

My friend, M, told me yesterday that her husband, B, has Prostate Cancer. They are running tests and determining prognosis.

Another colleague, N, is at home under the care of hospice for lung cancer.

These are the monsters that no earthly Mother or Father could come chase away. But, yesterday, I read a post over at Linda’s that quoted an old hymn, THIS IS MY FATHER’S WORLD. I have known this song since childhood and I have always loved it:

This is my Father's World.
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong
Seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father's world.
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King!
Let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the Earth be glad!"

The words literally sang in my heart as I read Linda’s blog and I thought, “Yep, God is still God. It IS HIS world.” And even when there seems to be so much wrong, it’s up to us to remember that, “He is the ruler yet!” Some of these people I have listed know God intimately and some are searching for God. But I KNOW He cares specifically for each one.

So, today, I am saying a prayer that God will come and sit with each of these sisters…that, the Father of us all will hold them each in a special way. I am praying that somehow they will each feel the arms of their Heavenly Father rocking them and telling them, “I’m here for you. I love you! I will walk with you and we’ll face this monster together.” After all, THAT’S what love is all about!

Yes, Linda, this IS my FATHER’S WORLD!