The Dangerous Unexpected Journey

It was the message that has become all too familiar as I get older.  When I was younger it was the common events of life that I celebrated with my friends – birthdays, turning 21, graduations, engagement parties and then weddings.

The common event that seems to keep reoccurring now with the stench of regularity is people I know that are taking the dangerous unexpected journey through hell – cancer.

We all take journeys, sometimes even dangerous journeys, however we usually choose these journeys and accept the risk.  Sometimes journeys choose us.

It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door, he used to say. You step into the Road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no telling where you might be swept off to. – Frodo Baggins

Someone I know, my mentor, coach, and fellow poet (among many other things) is walking this road.  I know he has great support, a loving family, and many friends that are supporting him in many ways, but my heart aches for him for he is my friend.

What can I do?  I can craft words of encouragement, I can express my deepest empathy, I could even send money – however none of this can take away the burden and the road he has to walk.  To his credit he is re framing his hell – his cancer, as a journey where he is learning more about who God is and leaning more into him.

My friend is choosing to take a journey with God, and has accepted that there will be weeping and laughing, pain, and joy, learning and unlearning.  His approach is a tribute to life, living and all that is pure, noble, true, right, admirable and excellent.  It causes me to pause and think on these things.

I’ve adapted the words of a well known song for my Brother Andrew and sent it to him as his approach reminded me of his servant heart. He has been this friend to many others. I wish that I could be this friend – I have some work to do.

I hope these words are more than just words and that they bring life, light and healing in some way.   These words are for you my Brother.

Brother Andrew

Brother Andrew, let me serve you
Let me bring His hope anew
I pray that I might have the words to
Speak Christ’s healing light in you

We are two travellers on a journey
I’m your companion on this road
I am here to love and serve you
Walk these miles and bear your load

I will hold the Christ light with you
In the night-time of your fear
I will pray with hands stretched towards you
Speak His peace you hope to hear

I will weep when you are weeping
When you laugh I’ll laugh with you
I will share your pain and heartache
Till we’ve seen this journey through

Brother Andrew, let me serve you
I pray you feel his love right here
These words are Christ’s gentle whispers
As he listens to your hopes and fears