Reflections 1/13/21: As much as I loved playing the game Sorry, I HATED it when I would move my player ALL the way around the board and get right to the entrance to the safe zone, only to get “sorried” by an opponent and sent back to “Start!” Dang! All that effort for nothing!! One space away from being impervious to that cursed “Sorry” card and blasted back to begin the long trek around the board once again! Well, yesterday was a real life Sorry Game of that very frustration of being swept back to “Start.” My oncologist hit me with the “Sorry” card. 6 months of cancer-free travel around the board only to be slapped with that wretched news. The cancer is back. I start another whole 6 rounds of chemo to beat back that damn monster. God, I am trying to find a paradigm of how to view this setback that will make this re-trek more purposeful. I woke up this morning with an idea that I think can work! You are commissioning me on a short-term missions trip! To the Isle of Cancer. Not to a pleasant location, but missionaries make sacrifices for their choices to serve You. I can too! My mission? To represent You well to those I come in contact with throughout this costly journey. I’ve always embraced Paul’s mission statement, “to know You, the power of Your resurrection, AND the fellowship of Your SUFFERINGS.” I guess it’s time to fully embrace the last of those 3 callings. Suffering… with grace. I think having this paradigm of PURPOSE will empower me to fight my way around the board to the safe haven of healing… where I am impervious to future “Sorry” cards!