How can I say thanks?

What an unforgettable week I’ve just had!  But before I explain, let me take you back around 17 months to April last year, when I received the shocking news that my younger brother, Phil, had been diagnosed with terminal cancer of the oesophagus, and given very few months to live.  All the doctors could offer was palliative care, with no hope of a cure.  Naturally it was devastating news for Phil’s immediate and wider family, and also for his many friends.  What made it even worse for his family in the UK was that Phil lives in New Zealand, where he is National Director of Church Army.

Though much prayer was mobilised for Phil, his condition deteriorated over time, and for several months he was only able to feed through a tube.  Things got so bad that Phil felt that his earthly life was drawing to a close.  Then, remarkably, things began to change for the better, until there came a time when he could eat normally again.  Although Phil isn’t yet cancer free, his health has improved to such an extent that he and his family were able to spend three weeks touring Europe, culminating in a trip to the UK.

Last Saturday we hosted a large gathering at our home, when family members gathered to meet up with Phil, his wife Monika, and their children Mike and Emily.  It was a glorious occasion, and we even managed to have a Barbeque before the rains came and sent us scuttling indoors! 

Monika and Mike had to head back to New Zealand the following day, and Emily travelled up to Liverpool to meet up with friends.  Phil spoke at our Sunday morning service, sharing his testimony of God’s faithfulness over the past year and a half, and some of the lessons he had learned through the period.  Many people were moved by what Phil shared with us.

Then Phil and I, along with my wife Sue (and we were later joined by Emily) were able to spend a couple of days in Scarborough.  Scarborough is a place which is very special indeed to me and Phil, not least through our happy memories of several childhood holidays spent there.  We were blessed with some lovely, sunny weather, and had a wonderful time, sampling the atmosphere, enjoying the sunshine, with lots of reminiscing.   

On the way back to Leicester, we called in to see our 93-year-old Mum, who has recently had to go into a nursing home.  She is very frail, and her memory is failing, but we found her in good heart and full of life.  She even clapped her hands in joy to see her two boys together!

Phil and Emily left yesterday to travel back to New Zealand.  Saying goodbye wasn’t easy, but the blessings of the last few days will remain long in the memory.

A few weeks ago I was asked to do a “Desert Island Discs” at one of my churches.  I found it a fascinating experience having to look over my life, and recalling memories from through the years.  It made me realise how blessed I’ve been.  Yes, there have been some really bad times, when I’ve struggled to see the way forward and felt that life was crushing me, but I have so many positive memories to treasure.  I have been blessed with my family and the many friends I’ve made along the way.

It wasn’t easy to select the pieces of music to go with my Desert Island Discs spot, but I decided to choose pieces which had relevance to elements of my life’s journey.  To finish with, I played a song by the late Andre Crouch.  It expresses perfectly the thought that every blessing of my life, and anything I’ve been able to achieve, I owe it all to God (I’ve told Sue that I want it playing at my funeral service!).  You can listen to it here.

How can I say thanks for the things
You have done for me?
Things so undeserved, yet you gave
To prove your love for me.
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude.
All that I am, and ever hope to be,
I owe it all to thee.

To God be the glory, to God be the glory,
To God be the glory for the things he has done.
With his blood he has saved me,
With his power he has raised me;
To God be the glory for the things he has done.
Just let me live my life and
Let it be pleasing, Lord, to thee;
And if I gain any praise, let it go to Calvary.
With his blood he has saved me,
With his power he has raised me,
To God be the glory for the things he has done.