Joy Joy Joy

Last night the Sweeneys came over to have my husband take a second look at a report they had received from his scans. My hubby concurred with the radiologist from Emory...and today two other radiologists came to the same conclusion: the brutal IL-2 treatment Sweeney has been undergoing for his Stage IV Metastatic Melanoma is working.
The odds of his particular type of cancer responding to treatment was less than 10%. Yet, in his case, it is really working. As my husband often says: It is not the numbers that matter, but what side of them you are on. His primary mass has been reduced by 30% and the 7cm mass that was on his small bowel a month ago is NO LONGER visible. This is God's hand at work! This is a joyful reminder that God is still in the miracle business.

And this Mama--who was so worried about having to 'answer for God' if He chose not to save our family's friend-- got to sit in our family room last night and tell my children that God had heard our prayers and was healing Sweeney's body.

The heaviness and worry that consumed us when we first learned of our friend's illness has been replaced by joyful, light-hearted laughter. Psalm 126 makes sense to me all over again:
" It seemed like a dream, too good to be true, when God returned Zion's exiles.
We laughed, we sang, we couldn't believe our good fortune.
We were the talk of the nations— "God was wonderful to them!"
God was wonderful to us; we are one happy people.
And now, God, do it again— bring rains to our drought-stricken lives
So those who planted their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest,
So those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing"
Psalm 126 (The Message)

Sweeney returns to Emory Monday for another difficult round of treatment--but with the reassurance that it is paying off.

As I pondered all of this today, it occurred to me that I wanted JOY to settle in and take residence in my life the way sorrow, worry and concern had a few months ago. I want my waking and final thoughts to be those of joy. And when I wake in the middle of the night, why is it always by concerns rather than joy?

Christmas seems to be the most appropriate time of the year to learn this lesson. God was truly Emmanuel to our friends as we have walked through this dark time. His presence has been felt. He has been our source of strength, help and comfort...and now, to HIM be the glory.

As we walk through these next couple of days may we center our thoughts on the miracles of our lives. There are so many circumstances we all are experiencing that bring worry, sorrow and pain. But, let's reframe our perspective--if even for the next 48 hours and choose joy.

We serve a risen Savior who humbled Himself to come into our world as a helpless baby, born to young, unimportant, frightened, challenged people in a stable. His love for us is a miracle.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!

May we allow joy to trump sorrow in our lives!