‘Twas A Good Friday
I woke up at my usual time this morning to get ready to go to the hospital for my daily radiation treatment. Getting "zapped" (my joke word with the radiology techs) on a regular basis hasn’t really been enlightening or draining me either way. It just seems part of life. I checked my phone messages this morning to see I had missed a call from my radiology techs saying their machine was down for the day so I could reschedule the appointment for a different day. I chose to have the day off like lots of others get Good Friday off, so I’ve been running around town running errands. FYI, yesterday it was confirmed with me by the radiologist that I only have 11 treatments left. Am I that done already? I guess so. For readers who consider themselves religious or at least rely on a higher power might consider this next bit interesting…One casual reader happened to be browsing the blog (you know who you are) and contacted me about a photograph I took 2 years ago about this time:
And yes, this post is a plug for the event, but also a congratulations on a great article (in which I’m quoted) summing up what has been coinciding with my life for the past 3-4 weeks in addition to all the recovering:
http://www.ldsmag.com/churchupdate/090410mesa.html
Now, I’m not a professional magazine article reviewer by any means so all I can say is thanks to the author for contacting me and providing another venue in which this part of my life can be shared. Some blogs by nature are a bit on the "hey look at me" side. I’m trying not to be narcissistic, here, but any blogger who may be new to the idea of blogging all of a sudden has to wonder "how can I make this content that I’m writing interesting enough that people actually wish want to read what I have to say?" My intent has merely to inform interested parties of what I’ve been up to, and do so in a dignified way that is impartial to any one way of thinking. Having said that, if you as my reader aren’t religious, I certainly can respect that. However, I do feel compelled to say that I believe in God, and I know that he is my father in heaven. I also know that His son is Jesus Christ who came into the world 2000 years ago and actually did and said the things recorded about him in the New Testament in the Bible. Despite my shortcomings, as I try to pattern my life around His example and accept his perfect sacrifice for me and all people, I know I can have peace in this life and in the next. That is what the Mesa Easter Pageant is about. It’s not meant to be preachy, but I firmly believe that those who attend with an open heart and mind will feel better about life after they’ve attended. No further action upon that individual is necessary. I’m not an official spokesperson for the Easter Pageant, but I will say that the purpose of this community event is to teach willing hearts and minds about the mission of Jesus Christ who invites all to "Come unto Him." The means and method of how all of us respond to that invitation is purely up to us. Those who attend may be approached by specific invitations to learn more. You have the option of politely declining that invitation, however I promise you that if your heart and mind has been touched by our performance and you accept that invitation then you can have that feeling with you for a lot longer than just an evening of community religious outreach.
So however you celebrate Good Friday, whether it be a day off work or spent doing other things, please note that it truly has been one for me…and with a whole different meaning this time around.
Happy Easter too, while I’m at it!
April 14th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Jeff, this was a great article that your dad e-mailed me. Thanks for your testimony and your example. We are praying for your complete recovery. Cousin Jud