When You Can’t Go Back
Sharon Betters
Today’s Treasure
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
Philippians 3:13-15
Dear Friends,
Long term illness has more than one victim. Naturally, the priority of energy and time must be the person who is ill. But what about the rest of the family, especially the spouse who walks beside the sick loved one?
Sue Tell, a guest writer for Daily Treasure and podcast guest, introduced us to Jan and Dave Dravecky with the suggestion that their story and ministry is a perfect fit for us to share in our Help & Hope podcasts. I’ll always be grateful to Sue for thinking outside the box and connecting us. Jan’s husband Dave was a baseball pitcher for the Giants when he received the diagnosis of cancer. His battle against this disease captured the attention of the world when against all odds Dave came back to the pitcher’s mound. But a time of hope and joy quickly turned into a life-changing moment when his arm snapped as he pitched, the cancer had returned. Living with cancer is painful, but even more painful on a world stage. Jan’s body, heart and soul finally cried, “Enough”. Their battle against cancer was only one of the fronts on which they struggled. Jan found herself on a long, hard journey to find her way out of deep depression. Jan agreed to share some of her blog posts as part of our What She Said! devotional series as a means to offer help to others who struggle with depression and especially their identity as a child of God.
If you or someone you love struggles with cancer, grief or depression check out Endurance.org where you will discover a treasure trove of resources designed to encourage and equip you for your life journey.
Treasured by Him,
Sharon
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
For more inspiration from Jan Dravecky visit her blog at Endurance.org or listen to the MARKINC Help & Hope podcast: Blow Away the Dark Clouds, a conversation with Jan. and her husband's Help & Hope podcast: Finding Purpose When You Lose Your Identity a conversation with Dave Drasvecky.
Are there other women in your life who could benefit from a daily dose of encouragement? Forward this email so they can click on this link to Subscribe to Daily Treasure to be better equipped to walk by faith on the pathway God has marked out for them.
Sharon W. Betters is the author of Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, co-author of Treasures of Faith. and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace, Flourishing in an Anti-Aging Culture. She is Director of Resource Development and co-founder of MARKINC.org, a non-profit organization that offers help and hope to hurting people. Sharon enjoys quality time with her husband, children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.