Back into the vineyard

Wayne Jacobsen continues his beautiful parallels between my season of cancer and the seasons of the vineyard of his childhood this morning.  We're into the full force of summer in his father's vineyard and Mr. Jacobsen's observations resonate, with one difference.  The grapes in his vineyard are experiencing some mixed blessings as they feel the full force of their stress under the  unrelenting heat of the sun.  My situation differs slightly in that the intense heat of my summer is past.  My treatment is finished and I can look forward to a less stressful season. My intense heat is recent enough, however, that Jacobsen's words continue to give comfort.

The grapes need the sun in order to ripen but at the same time they experience stress under its intense rays.  The grapes' strength can be zapped and the quality of the fruit can be affected.  "This is summer in my father's vineyard, and it models one of the greatest paradoxes of our faith: Fruitfulness rises out of a hostile climate."-Wayne Jacobsen (In My Father's Vineyard).

Jacobsen rightly asks, "Who wants to dwell on suffering when we can talk about prosperity, blessing, and the abundant life?"  And I would have to answer, "I would!"  It truly has been the toughest of times in this journey that have caused my roots to go the deepest.  I would qualify my statement by saying that my intention is not to dwell on the suffering but I never want to forget it since it was a valuable companion for a long time.  I would even go so far as to invite my Great Physician to allow me to go through occasional discomforts as I continue on my way just to keep me aware of my continual need for Him. "We don't rejoice in trouble for trouble's sake, but we do realize that trials can purify our faith and increase our fruitfulness."-Wayne Jacobsen.

So, once again I am encouraged by this beautiful book, a gift from BFF Pat.  And now it's on to another good day!

"We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."-Romans 5:3,4 (NIV).

On the health front:

No news on blood test results so I will consider that good news.  I have an appointment to have my port flushed tomorrow so I'll get a copy of the results from my nurse and she will interpret them for me. Until then, "Ignorance is bliss."😄