Wow, I Didn’t See That Coming!
Written By Sam Van Wagner
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
It’s early evening on April 16, 2016. I’m sitting in our living room alone, as my wife Susan is attending a women’s prayer meeting. Suddenly, I have an uncomfortable feeling in my bowel. I go to the bathroom and lose a lot of blood. Feeling dizzy, I stagger to the doorway bracing myself against the doorjamb, feeling like I’m going to pass out. I’m scared! I cry out to God, “Lord I don’t want to die but I know you have a plan for my life, and I trust you.”
I was diagnosed with stage IV colon/rectal cancer that metastasized to my right lung. Obviously, I didn’t die. It’s been eight years with three surgeries, three rounds of chemo, and one round of radiation. According to my oncologist, I have “no present indication of cancer.”
He said, “You are one lucky man.”
I responded, “I am one blessed man.”
Yes, I am blessed by God, especially because I have the opportunity to share my story about His unfailing love with others who are in similar circumstances. By keeping me alive and through the Holy Spirit, God has put me on a journey to use my experience to open doors that share His love.
One time, while waiting in a CT scan room with my wife, I started talking with a woman who was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. We swapped cancer treatment stories and then she shared more deeply about how the treatments were affecting her family relationships. I briefly shared my story emphasizing how my relationship with Jesus sustained me through difficult days. She allowed Susan and me to pray with her.
A year or so after I finished all my treatments, I was hiking the trails near the Trump golf course. I met a young woman on the trail, and she asked me for directions. We engaged in small talk and then she shared that her father had just been diagnosed with stage IV cancer and it didn’t look good. Wow, I thought, this is another divine appointment, and God allowed me to share my story about His love through all of life’s challenges. We prayed together.
The journey has not been all mountaintop experiences. There have also been major challenges and struggles that have humbled me and forced me to stay close to the Lord–enveloped in the Holy Spirit. There were dark times of doubt, fear, and anxiety. What will happen next? Will I ever stop losing weight? How much time do I have left with my loving and caring wife and family?
During those times, I called upon the Holy Spirit and remembered how the Lord had been faithful throughout my life. We filled our home with praise music and soaked in the Lord’s goodness and mercy. I don’t know what the Lord has in store next–for you or me–but I know He has a wonderful plan. A plan of hope!
I was diagnosed with stage IV colon/rectal cancer that metastasized to my right lung. Obviously, I didn’t die. It’s been eight years with three surgeries, three rounds of chemo, and one round of radiation. According to my oncologist, I have “no present indication of cancer.”
He said, “You are one lucky man.”
I responded, “I am one blessed man.”
Yes, I am blessed by God, especially because I have the opportunity to share my story about His unfailing love with others who are in similar circumstances. By keeping me alive and through the Holy Spirit, God has put me on a journey to use my experience to open doors that share His love.
One time, while waiting in a CT scan room with my wife, I started talking with a woman who was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. We swapped cancer treatment stories and then she shared more deeply about how the treatments were affecting her family relationships. I briefly shared my story emphasizing how my relationship with Jesus sustained me through difficult days. She allowed Susan and me to pray with her.
A year or so after I finished all my treatments, I was hiking the trails near the Trump golf course. I met a young woman on the trail, and she asked me for directions. We engaged in small talk and then she shared that her father had just been diagnosed with stage IV cancer and it didn’t look good. Wow, I thought, this is another divine appointment, and God allowed me to share my story about His love through all of life’s challenges. We prayed together.
The journey has not been all mountaintop experiences. There have also been major challenges and struggles that have humbled me and forced me to stay close to the Lord–enveloped in the Holy Spirit. There were dark times of doubt, fear, and anxiety. What will happen next? Will I ever stop losing weight? How much time do I have left with my loving and caring wife and family?
During those times, I called upon the Holy Spirit and remembered how the Lord had been faithful throughout my life. We filled our home with praise music and soaked in the Lord’s goodness and mercy. I don’t know what the Lord has in store next–for you or me–but I know He has a wonderful plan. A plan of hope!
Reflective Question
for the Day
How has God blessed you through your struggles?
How have you used these blessings as a springboard to bless others and show God’s love?
Sam Van Wagner can be found hiking/walking the Palos Verdes trails two to three times a week. He is either listening to praise songs or enjoying fellowship with his hiking buddy, Alex, a guy he met on the trail. Sam’s favorite Christmas meal is posole or albondigas soup, tamales, and beans, honoring his Hispanic heritage. On a day he has nothing to do, Sam will always opt for a hike!