God Provides

Next week I begin round two. Here are a few things that I learned from round one. As I approached treatment, I must admit that I had a little bit of fear. I had heard all the horror stories of people on chemo and radiation, and I wasn’t sure how I would be able to handle all of that. Finally, however, I was given a definition of fear that seems appropriate for this situation: fear is letting what hasn’t happened yet and what may never happen, govern how you live today. The first round wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t horrible either. The first round reminded me of how the Christian walk often looks. For the first two weeks, I take a pill every day and have injections two times a week. To help me through the first two weeks, I also take a lot of steroids. The steroids give me the extra strength that my body needs to process everything going on. I still take the pills every day in the third week, but no steroids and no injections. Without the help given by the steroids, my body reacts to the pills by giving me a full-body rash. Then comes the fourth week. In the fourth week, I have no treatments at all. I have a week to let my body rest, recover, and get ready for the next round. As Christians, we all face trials of many kinds. There are times when we face those trials, and we have help. Our help is not a steroid; it is more powerful than a steroid. Our help is The Spirit and the brothers and sisters. They walk with us, hold us up, encourage us, and, if needed, correct us. It gives us great encouragement to know we are not alone. Then there are the times when we seem to face some trials alone. We suffer, and we wish the trial would go away. We may even carry scars and wounds that nobody can see, but the test's duration is limited, and we have a time of rest when it has passed. God blesses us with a time of recovery and strengthening because the round is about to start. My encouragement to you today is – Do not give up. He knows your trial, He knows your name, and He cares for you. He will send help at just the right time, and He will hold you in the tough times. In Him J. Tom Washburn Fully Rely On God

One dip down, Six more to go

As I was thinking about writing this week’s blog, my thoughts turned to Naaman, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. At first glance, these men seem to have very little in common; however, each of these men had to go through the entire test to see the ultimate victory go God. First, Naaman had to dip seven times in the Jordan before he was healed. Next, Daniel had to be thrown into the lion’s den before seeing the lions’ mouths closed. Finally, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had to be thrown into the fiery furnace before they saw the presence of God was with them and who would deliver them. This past week I finished my radiation treatments. They told me the radiation would help with the debilitating back pain. But, unfortunately, as of today, I still have the pain, and I feel like Naaman after just one dip in the Jordan. Disappointment does not keep me from trusting in God. My trust and faith in God are not based upon my circumstances. They are based upon who I know God to be. He is with me, even amid new and unexpected symptoms. This past week, I have developed a full-body rash and a very tender mouth. I don’t know when delivery will come. Like Naaman, I am thinking only six more dips. I don’t know how long it will be. I don’t have to know how long it will be. I trust God, and one day I will see His glory. In Him J. Tom Washburn

Blessed Man

Yesterday I received blood. Julie and I sat at the cancer center for nearly seven and a half hours while they gave me blood. I thought my devotional today would be about how the blood gives life and color and strength, not just to my body but how His blood gives life to my soul. But, instead, my mind was taken a different direction while I watched my wife sit quietly in a chair next to me all day long. The lesson I learned yesterday is that I am not alone. Since October 10th, Julie has not left my side. She wants me to know that I am not facing this alone. In so many ways, Julie shows me, Christ. When the Doctors give me less than good news, she takes my hands, looks me in the eyes, and says, we can do this. When I need help, she gently helps me up. She is the physical manifestation of what Christ is doing for me in the greater reality. He sits with me in the difficult times, He encourages me in the discouragements, and He lifts me when I have no strength of my own. I am a blessed man, and the presence of God surrounds me. I pray that my eyes will never close to His company. In Him. J. Tom Washburn

Be a FROG

Mickey Elrod was a good friend. She had a profound influence on everyone who knew her. For example, in the school where Mickey worked, they honored her by placing FROGS as decorations in strategic places. I never thought of Mickey as a reptile person, but when I asked her husband Michael about the frogs, he explained it to me. FROG is an acronym for Fully Rely On God, and Mickey was a great example of that acronym. 2022 is the year of the FROG for me. I have always tried to rely on God, but I will lean into that faith action even more, this year. Today I started the radiation treatment, so I am actively involved in all my cancer treatments. I have injections twice a week, Chemo pills every day, and ten radiation treatments. I also have a bone treatment once a month, and just for fun, I will have an upper and lower G.I. I only include the medical stuff because I know you care about me. All your love and concern humble me, but God’s got this. I need to be a better FROG. My goal is to be faithful through the journey and give God glory in all that occurs. In Him J. Tom Washburn

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go

Well, we have reached the time when I am about to begin treatment. I would love to say that I am excited, but the truth is that I am a little nervous about what the next year holds. On Monday, I will begin my Radiation treatments (ten in all), and I will also start Chemo injections and Chemo pills. The regiment is a little overwhelming. I will take an IV for bone growth one time a month. The injections are two times a week for two weeks and then two weeks off. The pills are three weeks on and one week off. There are other pills to help with the pain and stamina. Right now, my head is swimming, wondering how I will keep up with all of this, but I know we will figure it out. I started by saying that I am a little nervous about the year. I don't know why I am worried. I know that there will be discomfort, but I also know that God is preparing blessings for me. Those blessings will always show up at just the right time. I love the faithfulness of God. I love the people of God that allow God to use them for blessing others. When I look back on 2022, my prayer is that the discomfort I will face is nothing compared to the fabulous presence and blessings God has there waiting for me. In Him J. Tom Washburn

Faithful through the test of Grace

Dear Family Have you ever considered the testing of grace? Over a month ago, I shared that my health was not as good as we would like. This past week my doctors informed me that I most definitely have Multiple Myeloma (Cancer) and that treatment needs to begin soon. I will be having Radiation and Chemo for what looks like most of 2022; however, the outlook is excellent. My goal is to stand before you and preach as often as my health permits. I began this letter with the phrase, the testing of grace. I truly believe God is good and faithful, even in our hurting. If God had not allowed me to suffer, I would have never gone to see my doctor. If I hadn’t had the blood test, I would have never had the CT scan that pointed the doctors to the markers of something more serious. Understanding the testing of grace is the understanding that God works, and He works for my good in all things. Yes, He can use pain to remind me of His presence and His provisions. I am so grateful for your prayers and your concern. Please don’t let your concern take you away from your opportunity to praise God for His mercy, His grace, and the Promise we all carry. In Him J. Tom Washburn

Update

This is just going to be a short update. I will have a biopsy of the places on my spine. The biopsy will take place on December 9th. Hopefully we will have some answers after that. As always I know God is watching over all of this and my prayer is that He will be glorified. In Him J. Tom Washburn