The Struggle Has Ended

Greg Hewlett passed away on January 17th after nearly eight years of battling colon cancer. While we grieve his loss, we are comforted to know that he is with his Lord.

If you would like to leave your thoughts on Greg, please see this thread.

If you would like to make a charitable donation in Greg's honor, please see this thread.

Wednesday, September 7, 2005

Hill of beans

I'm emerging from the third of four rounds of chemo before my reassessment tests in October. My body is protesting. But I continue. The fact that I have not written anything in a while reflects my level of existence somewhere not far above, well, existing.

sos.jpgrick_and_ilsa.jpegLike everyone else, I've been trying to comprehend Katrina. The endless stream of images reminds me of something Rick said to Ilsa: "it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world." My problems seem like a hill of beans these days. The immensity of suffering and loss of life in New Orleans dwarf my own self-important battle with cancer.

James, the brother of Jesus, reminds us, "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." He gives this comment in the context of considering the "one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy." And for me, it is only in my connection to this one who is able to save that I find anything to grasp beyond the thought of merely being a mist.

So I rest in these rough times by praying with the Psalmist:
My heart grew hot within me,
and as I meditated, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
"Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.
You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.
But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you."

(Psalm 39:3-7)


7 comments:

Greg Richardson said...

Hey, that's prompt service. Thanks for the update!

Cody and Julie said...

Dear brother, we love you. Please give Christine and Dulce our love too. Tell Dulce to think of Mowgli...he just had 6 moles burned off, his teeth cleaned, and mounds of hair pulled from his ears. Happily, he was fully sedated the whole time. :)

Willeyne Berger said...

Greg, I continue to pray for you and you are certainly an inspiration for all of us. I understand some of what you are going through as I have gone through some myself--not anything like you, but I do know you'll manage to get through this with all the love and support you deserve. Give my love to you folks as I think of all of you, all the time. Willeyne Berger
from St. Louis.

Marcy McCammish said...

Greg,
Remember Who loves you. And that He, the LORD of life, is at the right hand of the Father interceeding for you.
I'm glad you let us know how you are. Doug and I have been thinking and praying a lot about you over the past month. We will continue.

Jim Williams said...

Greg,
Three Sunday's ago, one of our parishioners requested prayer for her niece's teenage son, who is struggling with cancer. Her niece was not present but she is also a member of our church. The Pastor called on me to offer the prayer. Of course, my mind went immediately to thoughts of you, the battle you are waging, and the faith you are demonstrating. I sent an email to Michele and invited her to visit your web site. I mentioned this to her again, when I saw her the next Sunday. She said her son has good days and bad days (I'm sure you can identify with that).
I pray that the Lord will continue to provide you with the strength and the courage to hold on to your faith (and His hand) no matter what!
Be blessed and be strong!

Maria & Craig said...

Greg, hang in there,God has brought you so far, their no turning back. I love that scripture, there is nothing with out God. We continue to pray for you and Christine daily.

martha gessick said...

Greg and Christine, much love I'm sending your way. Always appreciate the time you take to keep us all updated on your progress. We love and care for you so very much; and like you, we know God and HE alone is in charge of all things in this world. Keep the faith. You are such an encouragement to many and I pass this information and your testimonies to my friend Dale Martens in Dallas struggling with his cancer battle. See you soon, love martha