In April of 2007, I wrote a post entitled “A Miracle for Marisa” in an effort to raise prayer support for Marisa as she battled cancer. I have never met Marisa in person but when I read her husband’s post Dear Cancer, a victorious testimony to the power of the risen Christ, I was captivated by her journey. Perhaps, her story resonated so profoundly with me because I had just lost a dear friend, also a young mother, to cancer the previous Autumn. In the months that have followed, I have faithfully read her blog and prayed for her and her family.
For the last two days, God has burdened my heart continually to pray so I was not at all surprised to find a post on her site this morning by her loving husband which announced she is in the hospital and “heaven is near”. So, today as I went about the mundane tasks of my life I have offered near constant prayer that her journey to paradise would be peaceful and that God would now work the miracle of surrounding her husband and three small children with comfort and peace.
I want to honor Marisa today. I want to celebrate her life and so, I hope it is not too presumptious that I have written cancer a letter too….
Dear Cancer,
You must have been shocked by her tenacity. She was a much fiercer competitor than you imagined, wasn’t she? Perhaps, you are smug today as you anticipate the end you have labored so tirelessly to bring about. Oh, foolish, foolish Cancer…you don’t really think you’ve won do you?
This is not the end. It never is for the child of God.
As a matter of fact, I don’t see how you have won anything at all. You strove to weave together for them sleepless nights, anxious minds, and troubled hearts…
But the Comforter was always, always near.
You thought you might coax them into turning on the Creator of All. Perhaps if your vengence was vicious enough, brutal enough, they would bend, break, and turn away from Him.
But they glorified Him until the end.
You must have envisioned the finish line as you rampaged throughout every cell and at last took up residence in her pure, sweet heart.
But Cancer, you forgot something.
Foolish, foolish Cancer, has the sound of the Babe in the manger’s cry already faded from your ears? You plotted death, Cancer but when He took His first breath He breathed life for all of us.
Foolish Cancer, it is not the end. It is the beginning! Soon, she will breath strong and free and in the blink of an eye we will all be there with her, because a thousand years here is only but a day in that Eternal Place.
Foolish, foolish Cancer…
You have won nothing at all.
“Go in peace, Marisa. We are saddened to be separated from you for this little while. Thank you so much, for sharing your light with us. We are all better for it. Perhaps today will be the day our Savior returns and we will all always be with the Lord….”
“Lord Jesus, come quickly. ~Amen”
Death be not proud, for thou are not so
For those whom thou thinkest thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death. Nor yet canst thou kill me
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be
Much more must flow; and soonest our best [wo]men with thee must go
Rest of their bones and Souls’ deliverie
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men
And dost with poyson, warre, and sickeness dwell
And poppie or charmes can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroake; why swellest thou then?
One short sleepe past and we shall wake Eternally
And death shall be no more
Death, thou shalt die
From John Donne’s Holy Sonnets
(The only poem I know by heart)
No its not the end. It’s just a symptom of the disease we all have, you know. I have no platitudes for you should she die friend but I don’t think you need them. You’ve pretty well got it figured out.
Sherri,
As one who mourns the loss of Marisa, thank you for your powerful letter to cancer. I have been tremendously moved by your blog and your own story. God is good and He brings us treasures in the midst of trials, hope in the midst of heartache and peace in the midst of the storm. You are one of those treasures. God’s blessings to you.
Amen. Amen. Amen.
A billion, trillion amens.
Thank-you.
Yes, Amen!
Thank you for sharing your gifts.
Your letter to cancer is encouraging, comforting and strengthening to all who knew and loved Marisa and even for those who did not or maybe just knew her through her blog.
“In Christ Alone”,
Laura
Thank you so much for your letter to cancer. Marisa is cancer free! Hallelujah!
That was a touching letter to cancer…..how true….thank you for that……
Come Lord Jesus come!