What’s in your wheelbarrow?

I like the metaphor that “everyone is pushing a wheelbarrow” of some kind and that it is full of “stuff” …. the BURDENS we carry, the “stow” we accumulate and the challenges that one endures in life.  “Stuff” might even include pain, suffering, illness or disease or even unfulfilled dreams and desires …. or how about this notion …. disappointment with ourselves from the decisions that we’ve made!!  Ouch …. that one hurt!  Obviously we don’t actually see the wheelbarrow but everyone is pushing one ….

Reflect on that assertion as you read what a Biblical response should represent:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4

If our life objective is to become like Jesus, (Christ-likeness) then we should embrace trials …. not as intruders but welcomed as friends.  Trials of various kinds are not unusual but are absolutely inevitable …. and can often appear out of nowhere.  As I have shared in other updates I believe that there are two kinds of people in this world …. those that have problems and those that will.  We should not shun or avoid trials because in their purest form they are the raw ingredients that make us “mature and complete, not lacking anything”.  And there is no doubt that this belief is certainly “labor intense” when it comes to the afflicted and tested heart.

After an early morning dialysis session Sue Martinez took Irene to breakfast at Zelda’s in Capitola Village.  Afterward, Irene took a VERY long nap after being sleepless from insomnia most of last night.  Late this afternoon, we received a brief telephone progress report from the practice nurse, Jennifer Knoche, at UCSF, who works closely with Dr. Damon.  She shared the following related to the amount of Amyloid remaining in Irene’s bloodstream:

• In July, the Cappa Light Chain count was 78.5
• On October 1st, the Cappa Light Chain count was 33.1

The numbers represent milligrams of Amyloid per liter of blood.  The number is moving in the right direction, representing an approximate 60% reduction of Amyloid in the bloodstream from the stem cell transplant in June.  We have asked a number of questions including what number represents “amyloid remission” and when the next Cappa Light Chain blood test will be taken.  Stay tuned …. !!!

I don’t know what’s in your wheelbarrow but my assertion is that you’re probably pushing one.  I cannot tell you that Irene and I are at the level of spiritual maturity where we are “considering it all joy” …. in other words actually embracing the Amyloid trial and intrusion as a friend …. but we truly are experiencing God’s joy and presence in our midst on the journey …. perhaps because of people like YOU praying for us.

Our prayer is to persevere and grow in God’s grace so that we may be mature and complete in Him …. and to lighten the wheelbarrow as we unload our burdens on Him.

Caminando con Fé
Dave