I was sitting in the parking lot at McDonald's on an
overcast, yet warm Monday afternoon in early February, waiting for Ann who had
gone in to get me a $.99 iced-coffee. Turning on the radio I heard, “I’ll play
it as he announced it.” I never know what to expect in situations such as this.
Then after a pregnant pause, Rush Limbaugh’s voice begins telling his story and
sharing some details about his most recent cancer diagnosis.
Having gone through this and while still being in
the middle of a lifelong fight of the same, I find that I have become very
emotional over people in these circumstances. From people I share time with
during therapy, to characters in movies, to Rob Lowe’s character in “911: Lone
Star”, I find that my spirit is deeply affected by people fighting cancer. I
feel a kindred spirit with Alex Trebek. The cancers may be different but the
journey takes the same path. And now Rush Limbaugh has the same cancer as I do.
Stage 4 lung cancer. I am fourteen
months into my journey. He is just beginning. As Ann and I listened to Rush’s
announcement I commented that we certainly understand what is in store for him.
Medically, physically and spiritually. He has embraced many of the things that
I have found I could not live without.
I needed a fighting spirit. I needed to create a
positive area around me to keep everyone else positive. I needed prayer
warriors to lift me up praying for all my needs. I needed to develop a closer
relationship with God in Heaver and His son Jesus.
Hearing what Rush said crushed my spirit. I was
deeply saddened. Not because of who was speaking but because anyone had to say
those words, make that announcement. Thinking of all of the day’s events while
showering last night, God reminded me of something I already knew, understood
but had pushed to the corner of my mind. The same way I ached in my spirit for
Rush Limbaugh and knowing what his future holds, God feels for all of us. He
knows how I feel. He knows how we feel. He knows how Rush feels. How? He sent
His son, Jesus, from the splendor of Heaven to the filth of Earth to take on
the form of a human. Through this He is able to know exactly what His creation
goes through when faced with life circumstance such as cancer. I think that my
belief that cancer has been more of a blessing than a curse is rooted in this. Thank
you Jesus for loving me.
