As we grow older, we might have seen things change from a physically ‘carefree’ life to something unfamiliar. There was a time when the body did whatever you wanted without a second thought. But as time goes on, the body may react differently to what your mind intends. The eyesight may dim, and we don’t see as clearly without assistance. There may be a ‘fear factor’ for certain things such as swimming underwater, skating, or jumping up swiftly from a chair—things that may not happen as they once did. (That’s not to say that these things are an issue for everyone past a certain age.) When once you could run to the mailbox, you might now have to take slower and more deliberate steps so you won’t have an accidental fall. These things may be difficult to accept sometimes, but it’s a part of aging for many. We do know that there are also many spry and agile people among aged individuals.
Following a long battle with different ailments prompted by stage four lung cancer, Rev. Enoch Fuzz, pastor of Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, continues to experience the ‘ups and downs’ of the disease—while aging quite well at the same time. And he also remains consistently in a positive, healthy mindset. His remark this week when asked how he is doing was: “I’m not great but I’m gonna be okay.” He expressed how the nights are long, but “morning is new.”
“Sometimes it is difficult to lay awake at night,” he said, “when it feels that time is standing still. However, no matter how long it feels, the time does eventually pass and daylight comes. It is, at that time, that patience is all one has.”
If Rev. Fuzz did not have patience before, he has certainly learned patience through his journey with cancer. He has had to have patience to accept and go through each difficulty that has been presented: patience to endure extreme fatigue; patience to accept and go through all of the varied procedures; patience to make the changes as mentioned above with aging; patience to wait on the disease to shrink; and most of all, patience to keep moving forward through his journey with cancer.
He moves through this journey with an acceptance of patience because he knows that tomorrow will come. Because tomorrow is a new day. There are new mercies every morning. Rev. Fuzz continues to be a witness to God’s mercies as he remains a leader in the community.
Rev. Fuzz will be the keynote speaker at the General Hospital Cancer Survivors program on Sunday, June 5, at 2:30 pm.
Patience comes through prayer, and there is much patience in waiting on answered prayers. But keep praying. Tomorrow does come. Rev. Fuzz continues to pray for each of you and “the whole wide world,” because you are an important part of his journey. Also, check out his Facebook site where he gives praise through word, songs and photos. You will be blessed. Thanks for reading and sharing ‘Cancer: My Journey in Time’ each week.
