Finding the Way Home
The eNewsletter Archive

Below is the archived version of Marshall Hayden's eNewesletter "Finding the way Home." If you would like to be added to to mailing list, please send a blank email to evangelism-subscribe@worthingtoncc.org.

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July 2008

A lot more good than bad

My personal medical experiences in the year 2008 have been new. Apart from a couple of minor repairs and patches from football days on, and the typical childhood diseases (which have pretty well been eliminated for most kids by newer medical science) in these six-plus decades of life I have been uncommonly healthy, have had to miss almost no work days, and have enjoyed being medication free. Leading up to my recent surgery I told the ENT doctor that I was saddened that my "brag" would now be broken. Each day now I will have to swallow a tiny little pill. Judy wins. She still doesn't have to do that.

There is no reason to bore you with the details; but my January checkup lead our doctor to suggest an ultra-sound of my neck, and then another doctor, his friend, to say "the thyroid is just too big. It has to come out." So, out it came. And it was compromised by some abnormal stuff. So this week it was nuked with a capsule. And that should take care of it.

Anyway! I have learned some things.

It should have been evident to me before; but I have been reminded that I am not Superman. I share all of Adam's frailties, including a body that will one day wear out.

And I am quickly reminded that dying one day is OK, because I have a Savior. It's a win/win. Paul hit it right on the nose when he said "for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." That's the beauty of the Christian life. Today is filled with energy, because I have some years of earthly life in an amazing world, provided by almighty God. These days are filled with purpose, because he has allowed me to share an assignment with you – to introduce a Savior to my neighbors and to strangers, to love them, and to participate in their joy and their growth. It's not a boring life. It's an exciting one. Each day brings something, and someone, new. Then, when these days are up, it gets better. Even if we have had the privilege of good health, there are breakdowns, and there is a goal line. But on the other side of that no more sorrow, no more pain, no more death. Wow!

This experience has reminded me of the precious joy of the church's fellowship. I've always felt deeply sorry for people who don't have a family like this. But today that reality is even clearer. "No one ever cared for me like Jesus;" but the care of other Christians comes pretty close. My little side-trip from good health has been nothing like that experienced by many of you. If I were to say to you "I understand," it would simply come from observing hundreds of difficult times, not from personal experience; so the truth of that statement would be a little bit shaky. However, the concern, attention, prayers, and kindnesses that have come my way really have been uplifting. The doctor was puzzled by the gang that gathered with Judy and Eric in the waiting area while he had been doing the surgery. The phone calls, concerned questions put to our family, notes and cards, "care package," and people rushing up to say "How do you feel?" or "Take care of yourself, your voice is better, now don't do too much too soon (probably a futile word of caution)" have reinforced my strong feeling that it is our privilege and calling to offer that all around.

There are some other things I have learned, I'm sure; but I've run out of "page." Just let me say that "this has been a lot more good than bad."