As a childhood cancer mom and advocate, I don’t only think about my own child. I think about them all. I follow their stories, and I pray for them.

But I also believe they are in the hands of a loving God.

Allow me to illustrate my beliefs with a short story (that I kind of ripped off):

There were sheep in a field but they were also children.

There was no fence around them and the field was really big and the sky very dark. I was there but I wasn’t really there and they were so vulnerable and I couldn’t help them.

Then a huge beast came out of the ground. Something like a shark. I tried to run but my feet were glued to the ground. I tried to call for help but could make no sound.

The shark beast made terrible noise and pushed the sheep children down until they were hurt and crying.

Desperately I tried to get to them but I was futilely stuck in place.

Then there was a man whose face I couldn’t see. But I knew he was smiling at me.

He took all of the children into his arms. He was able to hold all of them at once.

Then the sheep children didn’t look hurt anymore. And they didn’t look like sheep. They only looked like children should look and they were playing and laughing like children should play and laugh.

It was then that I knew who He was.

And now here is the original. Jesus’ MUCH-better-and-not-so-weird short story:

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” John 10:7-16

I think it’s very important to note that Jesus promises to give life “abundantly” but that does not mean necessarily in this world.

“In this world you will have many troubles; but take heart I have overcome the world!” John 16:33b

The abundant life promised is yet to come AFTER this one. It is a GIFT, by grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with you, my friends.