Radiation for my second session went much more smoothly than Day One. First of all, I was not scared out of my noggin. Secondly, I accepted the washcloth for my eyes this time so I didn't have to keep them squeezed shut. Thirdly, there was no computer malfunction as on Day One so I was in and out of there within ten minutes.
The sweet technician asked me how my day had gone so far.
"Great! I am an author and I just released my latest novel. This morning, I wrote 5,000 words on the new book's sequel."
"Wow!" she said, "What sort of books do you write?"
As I described my books, the second technician came in and was also interested.
Two more potential readers! And I still have five full weeks of radiation to go! I could double my readership by the time I finish with cancer.
Maybe I'll do a book signing outside the chemo room...
Radiation is a quick in-and-out treatment but chemo takes hours. They could use good, clean, inspiring reading material.
While resting under my washcloth, listening to the whir of the radiation machine doing its thing, I was working on my sequel's plot development. I have a very general idea of what will happen, but it is quite vague. I don't know how it will end. Some writers plan it all out with meticulous detail. I usually start writing, and the book develops a life of its own. It rarely goes in ways I expect or plan. It is almost other-worldly, as though someone other than me is in control.
Which is true. Someone other than me IS in control. I am really grateful for that. The Holy Spirit indwells me, and guides me, and comforts me. I will blame the Holy Spirit if my new book bombs and doesn't sell. (Just kidding. Any flaws are not the Holy Spirit's but mine...)
Here is the lesson for the day. Who would ever imagine that in a radiation treatment room, God would be at work helping with such a mundane thing as financial security? I am an author. If my books don't sell, I go broke. God knows that. If I must have cancer, the need to make a living doesn't change. How incredibly gracious of God to open doors even in such an unlikely setting.
This is not only true of financial issues, but of all issues. If God is really in control, and it would be foolish to presume otherwise, then of course He can work in any environment. Even in a radiation room where so much fear and sorrow resides. That is exactly the sort of quirky place where God reveals His power.
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Isaiah 49:3
He said to Me, "You are My Servant, Israel, In Whom I will show My glory."
John 1:14
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His
glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and
truth.
John 13:31-32
Therefore when he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of
Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; if God is glorified in Him,
God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately.
John 17:5
"Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the
One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of
the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Hey Vicky, I just bought your book. I am so sorry it's taken me this long to get to it. I'll review it promptly I promise. What a wonderful inspiration you are to all of us. Though I went through the mastectomy and all that, I never had to have chemo or radiation so have no helpful thoughts there. It was wonderful to read how God put those wonderful people in your path. Stay strong and follow Jesus. It's the only thing we can do.
ReplyDeleteThank you so so much!!! and Amen to following Jesus. It is the only answer.
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