There is one week left in this 31 Day writing challenge. When I began, I thought it would be about our discovery of a new life after my husband’s diagnosis. Then, as the month progressed, it became a way for me to find and share encouragement from the bible.

Some days were easy, some were harder.

I thought the discovery of our new life would be enough to keep the writing going. When I was diagnosed it seemed like things moved at lightening speed. But I have found out through this process that each person’s cancer journey is unique.

I have learned patience. Patience with the doctors. Patience with the process. Patience with my husband.

Ephesians 4:2

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

I’m not sure if I truly understood this until this month. While I was the one who needed caring for, my husband was patient, humble and gentle (most of the time). Realizing that he has done that for twelve years is very humbling to me.

I had no idea how patient he had been until it was my turn to demonstrate patience.

When we came home from the hospital, he was very weak. He was unable to do much around the house. He did not have any appetite. He was unable to do the things that he had been doing primarily for the last 5 years since my cancer returned.

Perhaps patience is not the right word, but I have learned to ask before I sit down if he needs anything else. I have learned to not respond sharply when I can’t understand what he says. I have learned to be attentive to how he moves and when he is in pain.

This has been a huge change for us. While I don’t think I took advantage of this, I did allow him to do a lot of things for me that I may have been able to do. In the beginning, I was unable to do much because of where the cancer attacked (I will be continuing that story in November when the challenge is over), but over time I have learned how to adjust.

Now, as I serve my husband in this new role, I realize that the patience and the gentleness is so much easier because it comes from a place of love.

If we act out of love then patience, humility and gentleness will flow easily.