One consultant surgeon who I really admired was a great example of this. A young woman with real passion and a phenominal talent. But mostly an inspiring love of God. I was incredibly saddened last night to receive the e mail that she had returned to the States because she had become unwell the last few weeks. And now she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. And I just can't understand it. Where is the sense in it?
Here is a young woman, actually helping people and make a tangible difference in the world, and doing it in God's name, only to be pulled from the field with metastatic cancer. I have no words, and I feel crushed.
If you're the kind of prayer warrior this world needs, perhaps have a read of her latest update: An excerpt:
"As a surgeon, I have spoken the word “cancer” countless times. To my patients, to their loved ones, in academic discussions with my colleagues, and in hearing the sad news of others. I have learned to speak about cancer without emotion and without fear because, after all, like a broken arm or a bean in the ear, it is a clinical problem that I am working to solve. Even when it involves sharing difficult news with a patient or hearing of the tragic diagnosis of a friend, it does not consume me, and rarely does it change me. This week, however, I have heard and spoken the word “cancer” more times than I can recall. And all of them in regard to me."
And so I'll leave you with this. A sneaky little recording I made of one of the church services I attended. This is a language that only two million or fewer people speak - so I can guarantee you've never heard anything like this before. Except you have.
