Nelson is doing well and feels fairly good. He’s got energy he didn’t have two weeks ago, and today the three of us (four with Will) ran a string of errands during which Nelson never had to sit one out. He’s continuing to meet his five daily goals, and today he ticked off lots of number four’s.
Though the swelling in his tissues continues to worsen and pop up in new places, it isn’t causing pain but is more of an inconvenience. Tomorrow may include several scans to scope out any developing problems.
Overall, he’s doing beautifully, but he’s very tired. His immediate family is tired, too, along with the rest of us. We’re all tired. Unfortunately, cancer never gets tired. It always has the energy to multiply, attack, and relocate without stopping to rest.
When I look at Nelson, I see pretty much the same guy on the outside, but doctors describe chaos on his insides. A war is waging between bad cells and good, both desiring dominance. Evil is fighting against good.
This morning as I was getting ready for the day, I heard Nelson singing in the living room. It was a country tune that revealed a joyful heart. Though he’s got cancer in multiple places, it’s failing in its attempt to dominate him.
Nelson is in a physical crisis but not a spiritual one. His spiritual life is healthy and whole. Actually, it’s flourishing. Why? Because his inner heart, his soul, and his spirit, are being influenced by God’s Holy Spirit, and that Spirit is injecting new life and fresh hope into him every day.
Satan works overtime to kill people, to steal their hopes, to destroy their relationships. But ultimately he has to answer to God Almighty. And God Almighty says, “Letting [my] Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)
Nelson has invited the Spirit to control his mind, which is why his inner self is characterized by life and peace.
But what if he was going it on his own, without the governing Spirit of God within him? The best he could do would be to rely on doctors, test results, drugs, and palliative care. Nelson is incorporating those things, too, but his #1 source of stability is the Lord himself.
“God will give life to his mortal body by this same Spirit living within him.” (Romans 8:11)
Nelson is a real testimony to what living a Gid centered life is. He is encouagement personified.
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
Joshua 1:7 NIV
Wow what a testimony he is to others. Thank you for continuing your posts. We are so grateful that he is doing better. Yes the Lord can do what man thinks is impossible. We have been blessed to know the Lord for all our married life which just turned 49 years June 9th. My friend in high school never gave up on me and at the age of 21, I came to know the Lord at Moody church at a prayer meeting lead by Pastor Warren Weirsbe. My friend has gone to be with the Lord for 2 years now since the covid took her at the age of 68 but the gift she game me and my family is priceless. I shall never forget what she did for my life. God bless you all and tell Nelson we are continuing our prayers for him.
I am praying diligently for each of the Nyman family members, from Momma Margaret to each of her children & spouses and children. Your lives are a living testimony of Jesus being the central focus in each crisis.
May God increase each one with health, protection, provision, peace.
All praise to God for the faith and the strength He gives!
“Let Your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in You alone.” Psalm 33:22