Dancing at Midnight
Nov
20th
2009
Most of you got Tony’s email, if you are not on the email list… but would like to be…let us know and we will put you on…
hard news came yesterday and it came while i was leaving the hospital for the injection of radioactive dye (half life 6 hours. i contemplated going to the border to set off the giant machines they have,) and heading to Zeller’s to shape up my elevated bob.
The communication left some questions… so Tony called Dr and got some more clarification… for the record… I was calm and rational.. I think I do not ask questions in guy language and Tony does….
and more for the record… I like my doctor… he is skilled, he is more than capable, he cares about what happens to me… I believe God is using him for my good and my family’s good.
and even more for the record… God placed the 2nd doctor in the picture so they would complement each other… and God is the one driving this process… we got those results back before we ever expected to.
okay, back to our main program… well, the haircut plans are abandoned… and Mary and I have to go back to the hospital for 2nd part of the scan… and then to the house for supper … (Asian smorgasbord for all, custard and few sesame oil coated noodles for Beth.) Tony and I went to Tim Horton’s (where the course of all Canadian life is plotted and planned) to talk … and we come home… Beth takes a bath… Tony and Mary talk to kids and my mom… and then Emily came up to me in my room… and talked… she really talked about all sorts of things on her mind and that was a very good thing…
Yes,Thanksgiving is still on , as Tony told Laurel… “it will take a lot more than this to get her to cancel a party.â€
Tony begins the email which was very difficult for him to write… and then after it was sent, i came over to the computer briefly to write two emails of my own… and Tony put on the Kevin Prosch CD, Come to the Light which Tammy and Morley had brought us last week. He quoted the title song in his email.
Draw me Lord
and let me run
through the lowest valley
and the crooked place
For, if you’re with me
I won’t sink
but You’ll be high and lifted up.
– Kevin Prosch
Lifted Up (Come to the Light, 1993)
So there he was … singing and tapping like he does… you know “in the zone.†And i joined him, arms lifted up, swaying… singing… and then the song “Highest Praiseâ€â€¦
God is speaking through the music
come down and sing in the midst of us
declare your name comfort our hearts
let instruments that prophesy
speak of the power of the Godteach us how to sing Lord
Show us how to dance
deliver us from the fear that hinders us
And take away all our shame
For we were born to give you praise…We give you the highest praise
and we were singing and dancing, and the Spirit of the Lord was there… and all was well in my soul….
then our wedding song came on, “I’m in Love with You,†a song from Song of Solomon… (and the world’s longest wedding processional especially when you are getting married in a house)… he held me and we listened together… “He comes leaping over the mountains, He is skipping over the hills, Arise and come with me, my darling.†I told Tony I was glad he came for me, and he said he was too.
We have these huge windows in our living room, and the halogen lamp was on, it was bright in there… and I had this thought, the neighbours must think we are cracked. And I thought about Paul and Silas, noting it was a little after midnight… it felt like some bars had been broken… thanking God for his timing… again.
I went on and update my facebook status because i want to record the triumphs..
though the news was cancer, let it be known that Tony and Beth Cain were in the living room dancing and singing praise to the Lord on high at midnight … what will the neighbours think?
then i settled on the couch while Tony did stuff in the office… and I fell asleep there.
Angie
The imagery, the words, the nuances. . . .all make this story even more beautiful. I was up until 2 a.m., mulling this over with God, and blogging. I know He’s good — and rather than wrestle, I need to rest.
Thank you for your faith — and your ability to be the comforter to the ones who want to comfort you.
Much love….
Angela
I am praying for you and your family. Even though I do not keep in touch, I want you to know what an inspiration you have been to me. The Lord our God is happy with you. You are a true disciple and have brought those who are lost and searching closer to our Lord. I am speaking of myself. You reached out with open arms and welcomed me and helped me to get on a better path…the Lord’s path. You are a miraculous person and God has already done great things through you! I will pray that He continues and I will pray for your health.
Much love and many blessings,
Angela
Tammy Amodeo
Hi Beth, first I saw the “difficult news” on Melinda’s blog about 11 pm last night and then I called Laurel. I have kids here today and feel I have to “keep it all together” for them…when what I really want to do is the opposite of that. I’ve had Kevin Prosch on all morning here as the kids played. Your faith and strength is strong. May you all feel God’s presence very strongly as you go about your day. You are always in our thoughts and prayers.
Just a reminder to please add Nik and Sarah to the update list:)
The Favorite
Mommy I love you so much. God is so much bigger than cancer (in the words of Papa Chuck). You are a testimony of a life surrendered to God.
See you in 4 days!!
the non blood favoUrite
Yours will be a story of much hope, triumphs, grace, mercy and miraculous things. Beautiful Beth, we will be here for you. We love you.
Daner
Fantacy
My dear friend, quite simply, I love you!
Angie
Okay, if Dana gets to be the “non blood favoUrite. . ” then I vote that I get to be the “non blood favorite” (American spelling!)
Melinda aka decomom
Tears are in my eyes, and they are only partly tears of sadness, the other part is pure joy for the love you and Tony share and the love that God is showing the world through you, through your faith.
Of course Thanksgiving is not cancelled. And of course, the food is going to be amazing.
Favourite, favorite – everyone wants to be your favorite…
Lorraine
My aunt actually lives across from your house on Mark Street and has admitted that sometimes she spies on your family!
I love that God started a fire here, He didn’t hold the brakes (ex. Thanksgiving not being cancelled) instead He lit something up. This morning I was taking the bus to A&W, as I often do and the bus was stopped at the Water Street Terminal. I just stared out thinking about you. The sun was peaking through a slit in the clouds and there were oranges and pinks in the sky and and on the water and on the buildings and everywhere. It was beautiful Beth, and it was SEEING it that made me think of you; the way that the sun touched so much. You emit God’s love…He uses you in that way, and at that moment I felt so blessed, that I may be loved by you, and that you love me the way to do because Christ loves you and died for you. He has defined your love. There is life.
Peggy
Thinking of you, praying for you both. You are truly walking (dancing) in faith. Love and prayers, Peggy
Sandy
Thank you for sharing your heart with us. As I’ve said before, I am believing God for healing in your life. Simply, we need you. Your passion for women and babies, the way you worship, your warm and encouraging heart are all an inspiration and blessing to me. You have raised an incredible family of beautiful girls, and all of you are in my prayers.
Kate Johnson
there is a country song by Lee Ann Womack… and one of the lines is “I hope you dance…” if you have not heard it, your post (and you, my friend of many years) reminds me of it. So I have to include the lyrics, because it is you. I know it is long,
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you’ll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they’re worth taking
Lovin’ might be a mistake
But it’s worth making
Don’t let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you’ll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)
Valerie/Beth/Friend… keep dancing.
Christy
Wow. Beth, I am without words. Your reliance on God in the midst of this is nothing short of inspirational. I am absolutely in awe of how you are responding to all of this. You are, of course, 100% right. God is sovereign. God is infallible. His plan, while inscrutable, is always, always perfect.
I am praying hard for all of you. Praying that the God who heals might choose to simply erase all of this, flabbergasting your doctors. Praying that the God who comforts will hold all of you close. Praying that the God of miracles will work one here. Praying that the God of all wisdom will reign it down upon those working with you. Praying that the God of possibilities will keep you positive, focused on the goal and praising Him.
You are an inspiration, Beth. I read what you write and I pray that God will make me more like you. Know that you (and your family) are being lifted up and brought before the Throne – even by people you’ll never meet.