Deepen my roots of faith, Lord

As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him.

St. Paul encourages us to remain rooted in Jesus, whatever our circumstances.   But that can be easier said than done.   Here’s one reader’s story about how she and her family sought to do just this during a journey with cancer.

“There we stood, just a few hours after surgery.   My sister and I looked at each other as the surgeon left the waiting room.   How would we tell our sister that her lengthy surgery had revealed not one, but two different cancers?   Ellen would need both radiation and chemotherapy.   Active, devout, and an avid bicyclist, she never expected this.   How would she handle the news?   We prayed, took a deep breath, and walked into the recovery room.

“As soon as she woke up, Ellen wanted the full report. So we told her, with some trepidation.   My sister was clearly shaken, but she resolved to trust God.   I reassured her—and myself—saying, ‘We believe in miracles, and we are going to pray for one.’

“The next days involved discomfort and pain as she recovered and began treatment.   Her new reality required her to walk closely with Jesus and somehow remain ‘rooted in him.’   We would need to do the same: walking with her, but leaning on him.   In the days that followed, we watched as Jesus entered into the darkness and fear and loss of control she felt—this mess she found herself in—and comforted her.

“We witnessed moments when fear would creep in, understandably.   Yet Jesus remained present in concrete ways.   He was present in the caring and competent nurses.   He was present in the visitors who prayed with her.   He was present in the chaplain who brought Communion.   And he was present in the Eucharist.   Receiving Jesus in the Eucharist imparted strength and courage—to her as well as to us.   He was with us.

“Ellen continues to battle cancer, and some days are better than others.   But God’s presence still shines in the darkness of disease.   Even when we are struggling, weary, or afraid, our family can see that Jesus has kept Ellen, and all of us, rooted in him.   And he won’t stop now.”

word among us