I have had this call three times already, once concerning my late wife Sarah, and then in turn for each of my two sisters. However when the subject of the call is you it adds a completely new dimension to your response!

A few weeks ago I asked my doctor about a mark on my heel just to be sure that it was not connected to my Type 2 Diabetes. Following tests on this, seemingly insignificant, mark on my heel that I got “that call” to inform me that it was in fact a melanoma. The implications of that call have not been far from my mind ever since and I would be lying if I suggested to you that even now I have it sorted out in my mind. However I do want to share with you some thoughts as we walk down this path, I feel sure they will at times seem weird and muddled, but then life is rather like. The next few weeks and months will include surgery, interferon treatments and no doubt more doctors visits than I have made in my entire life to date but more of that in the days to come.

For now just two things; firstly it has been impressed on me so clearly that this did not come as any surprise to our Heavenly Father and I remain convinced that He and He alone is in control. Yes from where I sit there seems to be every reason to question that . . . but then I never questioned it three years ago when I met and fell in love with Maggie who is just the greatest gift anyone could have dreamed of.

So it seems my options are to believe that God is firmly in control whether I like, understand or consider His actions fair. Or, the alternative, which is to conclude that all to these things, are just the result of some indiscriminate and random series of coincidences. For me the latter is far more frightening and difficult to believe so I choose to trust the God who has always proved faithful through the worst as well as best of times of my life so far.

The second is a few verses that God brought to Maggie’s attention on the day of my first surgery They were repeated quite independently to us by my mother from the other side of the Atlantic. I hope you will take encouragement from them for whatever situation you are facing at this time.

But now, this is what the LORD says — he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; Isaiah 43:1-3a

I am hoping to be able to share more random thoughts with you as the time goes on but for now, just know that you are in my prayers that you will have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and that God will bless you and reveal Himself to you in unexpected ways