Comfort that Transforms and bears fruit… Insights for Spiritual Direction

I am a cancer survivor. 

In the fall of 2018 I was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma. Last year I underwent 6 chemo treatments. I am in partial remission now, getting some tests and a simple treatment every 3 months. Having cancer has not been as life changing for me as heart-changing.

I memorized something years ago that made a difference in how I processed that difficult experience.  This question and its answer come from the Heidelberg catechism and it is resonating with me again in this current pandemic. May it encourage you as you visit with me here at my blog:

Q: What is your greatest comfort in life and in death?
A: My greatest comfort in life and in death is that I am not my own. I belong, body and soul to my faithful saviour Jesus Christ.

This truth comforted me in my fear and exhaustion and nurtured a posture of surrender in my heart. Comforted, I regularly expressed appreciation to the doctor, nurses and cleaning staff. This attitude of giving way to the lover of my/our soul changes me, changes us. It helps our souls be like gardens in spring time that give way/open up to the transforming work of the sun, the rain and the divine gardener. In comfort and surrender, the fruit of the Spirit can grow, that is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness… (Gal. 5:22, 23). 

Jesus, I belong to you, body and soul. As we are impacted by COVID-19, and even in life and in death, let this truth that I belong body and soul to you, comfort, nurture and transform me.

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