It’s a common cliché in war movies;
the “short timer” is most likely to buy it before the end of the film. Yet,
it’s become a cliché precisely because it’s so true in real life. When you’re
almost done your body starts telling you about how tired you are. You begin to
relax slightly. You let your guard down. It’s easy to start thinking you deserve a break and resent the time you
still must fulfill to complete the task; resent “interruptions” which are
really part of the job in the first place.
When you get close to the end of
something it’s easy to start thinking about what comes after. When you start
focusing on “after” you’re more likely to lose sight of right now. It’s something that
needs repetition simply because human nature continues to fight us despite
attitude and training.
After battling cancer for nine months
I found myself thinking this way. The end was in sight; no cancer found in the
body, only a few weeks of treatment left… And I was as antsy as a ten-year-old
with spring fever. All I could think about was getting my strength—and hair—back. I wanted it done; now. I
grew impatient with the endless rounds of treatment and cold medical poking and
probing. But the fact is I wasn’t done yet. Bailing at that point would make as
much sense as stopping an oil change procedure after only putting in two
quarts.
The Apostle Paul had some advice on
the subject of seeing a job through; “Let
us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a
harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
Rather than calling on guilt—get back to work!—Paul gives us a good
reason to see the job done. There’s a benefit to sticking it out. We’ll reap a
harvest; our sanity, our family, our life, eternal life. Focus, keeping our eye on the ball,
is the best way to keep a healthy perspective. It’s also the best way to make
sure the “after” is worth the effort.
Now I am really and truly finished with treatments. Oh, sure, followups will follow me all the days of my life, but I am past THIS phase. Life, here I come.
A shot of the Super Deluxe X-Ray Monster
1 comment:
AMEN!
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