A DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT by Don Wood
Pastor Phil recently asked Don Wood, (not to be confused with Don Woods, also a member of our church), to share with us the faith journey he has been on the past two years as he battles cancer. Below is what he wrote. We hope it will inspire and encourage you.
Several years ago, my life took a change. Just as my wife, June, and I began attending Pleasant Grove Community Church and started to settle in I was diagnosed with a major medical problem, blood cancer. MDS, Myelodysplastic Syndrome, became a new acronym in my vocabulary. For the last two plus years I have been learning much about medical issues and at the same time have found myself learning how to reach deep into my faith and trust in the Lord’s way.
The scriptures have opened up to me during this time. As I read the word of God, my mind is opened up to thoughts from the Lord. When I asked the Lord for wisdom and insight on a passage, the Holy Spirit has opened up my understanding of the scripture. I have made it my practice to read about a chapter a day from the Bible. As I see it, my disease has actually blessed me with the riches of God’s word.
I believe that there is healing in this generation. I have and am praying for that healing to my body. I know that many of you at church are praying for my healing. I believe in miracles, including miracles of healing, and I know above all, the Lord is in control.
There have been times of disappointments, but I know that God is in control of my life. So rather than dwell on the disappointments, my choice is to read the scriptures, take the message to heart, continue to pray for healing, and put my trust in the Lord. The rest of my story is up to the Lord. I will live one day at a time, relying not on my efforts, but trusting in the Lord. He has a plan for me. He holds the map of my journey.
Isaiah 12 spoke to me one morning and inspired me to write this lyric expressing my praise to God:
The Lord is my strength and my salvation;
I give thanks to you Lord
I put my trust in you,
I give thanks to you Lord
For you are my comforter,
I give thanks to you Lord
For you alone are my strength,
I sing praises to you Lord
You are my salvation.
Amen.