Endurance
I’d like to welcome myself back 😊 . . . after about 10 days of recovery so far. Thank you, Whitney, for stepping in to give wonderful updates during the days I was unable to put two sentences together. Prepping for the surgery was one thing. Knowing what to expect in recovery has been quite another. The only thing I will say is, the recuperation has been more of a physical, mental, and spiritual climb than I could have ever predicted.
In the years when someone would ask me to sign a CD or songbook, often the scripture I would add to my signature was Hebrews 12:2-3. It was a longer reference to scribble, but it was worth the extra seconds in the hopes that the receiver would go home and look up the passage. If these 2 verses aren’t immediately coming to mind, I’ll share what they are:
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who, for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2-3)
Let’s go ahead and define the title of this post before going further.
Endure – To persevere, to remain steadfast, to bear without giving way
Verses mean different things to us in different seasons, don’t they? When this became my signature choice, I knew something about endurance. In my 66 years, here are some things that come to mind I have endured:
The loss of both parents at “earlier” ages
Times of waiting . . . with personal and ministerial goals
A retinal detachment and the healing that accompanied it
A vocal nodule (which God ultimately removed)
Consequences involving the choices of others
Consequences of my own making
In the Hebrews 12 passage above, the word “endured” isn’t one you might have picked out as most prominent. But in my current season, that word is like a neon light. It’s used twice in the two verses, and the circumstances around Christ’s endurance help to keep me grounded. I endure, persevere, and remain steadfast in my current situation because Christ set the example of that endurance – and He endured with MUCH harsher circumstances than I will ever face.
Hospital overnights are challenging. There are numerous nurses and tech folks who are in and out of the room, sometimes hourly, with their assignments of dispensing meds, taking vitals, or (my favorite) drawing labs. Let me give a brief picture of what an overnight lab draw would look like: A tech person would enter the room, often at 3:00 or 4:00 a.m., turn on the bright fluorescent room light, announce the need to draw blood, come to my bedside and begin searching my right arm for a possible vein. (This is because my left arm already had two IV’s attached). Sometimes the best possible entrance for a blood-draw would be in my hand, or my wrist (sticking a needle in either place . . . not my favorite). I would NEVER look during this procedure. In fact, I would face the opposite direction and close my eyes (not sure how all that helped 😃) as I tried to relax through this unwanted process. Afterwards, they would bandage the area, turn out the light, and I would do my best to resume slumber.
Before I would try to go to sleep each night – in the 9:30-10:00 p.m. range – the nurse would give me a concoction of a pain med, nausea pill, and anything else along those lines that would hopefully allow me to rest all through the overnight hours. But when you are suddenly awakened to have blood drawn, let me say it’s challenging afterwards to just close your eyes and drift off in an expeditious way. Several times, sleep wasn’t going to happen for a while – even for hours. Accompanied by nausea and some pain, feeling wider awake than I ever wanted to be . . . those were challenging moments to “endure”. The enemy loves to creep into those long minutes as the clock slowly ticks by and bring every despairing, discouraging thought – some rational, some ridiculous. Often, I found myself drowning in hopelessness. I’m not proud of this, just being honest. There were times I would pray, “Lord, I can’t do this! Please help!” And while His rescue might have taken more time than I was hoping for, it always . . . always ultimately happened.
(Let me push pause a second and say: I realize I am not the only person currently “enduring” something. We have a prayer list of friends we call by name each day – each name represents much endurance – with illnesses, with loss, with broken bones, with family issues, and more. If you’re reading this, you are potentially in an enduring season.)
So, besides just deciding, “Hey, I want to endure through this trial”, how do we begin to make this happen? You probably know what I’m going to say before I say it. But I’ll say it anyway. Endurance is only possible through Christ.
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other . . . ” (Romans 15:5)
In earlier posts, I’ve mentioned that God uses a variety of tools to bring us comfort and encouragement and help us to endure:
A timely text from a friend
A timely scripture sent in a text from a friend
A song
A hug from a loving spouse
A nurse who goes the extra mile, beyond just “doing her job” (thank you, Monica)
Meditating on who God is (versus who we are)
Facebook and blog replies, cards in the mail, gifts . . . things that remind us of those who are in this battle fighting with us
A nudge that someone is praying for us
I could go on.
One of our granddaughters, Lanie, had chosen a verse for me (on her own, with no prompting), and then written it out and decorated it for my hospital room. Here’s a photo:
I think you’ll agree that this is a pretty mature verse for an 11 year old girl to choose. When I received the drawing, that was my first thought. Wow, out of every verse Lanie could have chosen, this is a deep one.
This hung in my hospital room, on the whiteboard in front of my bed, for the duration of my 5 days.
In those dark moments in the middle of the night when sleep wouldn’t come, and nausea, pain, and insomnia did, God was calling me to endure. Mel, I’m here. Stay strong. You can climb this hill. And as I read that scripture, here are two things that came to mind:
- I needed the Lord to be a shield about me. OH, did I need that! Guard my heart, Lord. Guard my mind! Protect me from my own discouraging, hope-less thoughts. Please, Lord!
- I needed Him to also be the lifter of my countenance, the lifter of my head. Yes, protect me, Lord. But also, turn my face to You and give me hope and joy that is only available as a gift from Your hand.
How did Lanie know, out of every scripture she could have chosen, THIS one from Psalm 3 would be a way God would shine His light in very dark hospital evenings? What a sweet prompting from the Lord.
And so, we continue to endure.
We’ve crested a BIG mountain with the surgery, the uncomfortable, difficult first days of recovery, and now the day-to-day strengthening of my body/mind/spirit. In 2.5 weeks, I will jump back into a chemo treatment. (I’m not letting myself dwell on this less-than-lovely thought at the moment).
But here is some quick good news to end this post.
The day after surgery, the goal was to have me sitting in a recliner for 10 minutes. I didn’t accomplish that goal. But now, 11 days out, I’m walking around, able to cook simple lunches, sensing my brain working faster/sharper, mowing the lawn with our giant zero turn mower (okay, just checking to see if you were paying attention. Haha!) . . . and yes, I can now sit up for much longer than 10 minutes. Goals are being exceeded. God is answering prayer. God is working. And the best news, (as Dick enjoys saying) “We left the cancer back at the hospital.” What a wonderful sentence to type! 👏👏👏
Oh, how aware Dick and I are of your enduring prayers. We are deeply grateful!
Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4, Amplified)
PS – The photo I chose to represent this post is indicative of my very enduring husband. We are truly in this together. And just as my eyes are fixed on Jesus, Dick’s are not only equal to that, but he continues to adjust my eyes (lifting them when they are falling) in the times my endurance is faltering.
26 Comments
Nan Allen
I love your posts. They encourage me and this one about endurance is the best. Praying for you, my friend, and for your caregivers/
cyndi
Is this Nan, Dennis’s wife?
Micki
Mel, you are such a beautiful gift from God to all that get to know you, get to pray for you and get to love you.
God has gone before you in this journey to make a way for you.
“Cancer has been left at the hospital.” I stand in agreement with this.
I’m praying for you. I have a prayer team that soaks you in prayer every Wednesday from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Psalms 118:17!
I love you.
Tracie Neal
You and Dick are such a direct picture of the church. Not a building but actual breathing living church. I praise God for His hand on you and all of your family. As I read this the song “Thou, O Lord” kept ringing in my ears. We sang it at Gardendale first Baptist. I’m sure there are several versions but it is one of my heart songs. God has you… and we are all grateful He does. Love and continued prayers for you.
Evie Karlsson
Pelle and I are praying daily and so appreciate your (and your daughter’s) updates. What a privilege to stand united with you both and a host of others that lift you up in prayer. Some Swedish Christians that I know will often say, as they bid goodbye to each other, “I’ll meet you on the bridge of prayer.” Love that picture. As though it is a geographical place where we meet up. Well, it is. A sacred space. And the Lord is there. We meet you there every day. ♥️
Kevin Majeski
“I’ll meet you on the bridge of prayer.” What a wonderful picture, indeed. I might borrow that phrase. 🙏🏻 ❤️
cyndi grace
There you go pointing us to Jesus again. It is who you are, sweet friend. Don’t ever forget that.
Pam Hazelwood
Praying daily for you, Mel. Thank you for sharing your journey. You are in our heart, thoughts and prayers.
Much love. Pam
Debbie Hardy
How inspiring! Bless Dick’s heart!! I am so hoping that all of the bad stuff is truly left at the hospital. You are being mentioned for prayer at fbc, jackson Sunday school classes. Sending love to both!
Darlene Hensley
Continuing to lift you in prayer daily Mel! Enduring it all as you go and loved hearing “you left cancer behind at the hospital!”
Praying to your complete restoration to health as God heals all your wounds and cares for you day by day. Jeremiah 30:17
Blessings and love,
Dar Hensley
Nancy Shotts
Thanks for your most recent post Mel! Dan and I wait with expectation for each one so that we can pray specifically and be encouraged in our own spiritual challenges and journey. I hope you know how much your story is encouraging and sustaining so many of us!! Love to you and Dick!!
Rachel Byrd
Mel
I am so encouraged by your faith in this mighty battle I am daily claiming victory that Jesus is giving you I am specifically asking that the angels surround you and bathe you in the powerful healing blood of our Savior There is Wonder working and I add healing in that blood I send my love and prayers to you Dick and your family
Kevin Haynes
Praying daily for you, dear Mel. I wish you didn’t have to endure ANY of this! My heart aches for you and Dick, but my trust is in the God Who loves you more than I can even fathom. He’s got this… and you.
Tina Matteson
Thank you for this wonderful update! Continuing to pray for you.
Peggy Hughes
Mel,
It’s so good to hear from you! I know this has been so hard. Jesse and I have talked about that many times. We continue to pray that God will give you relief, strengthen you, and eradicate all cancer from your body. He is a faithful God. We are trusting you to Him.
Love you so much,
Peggy
Cristy Ludwig
Thank you for your posts Mel. Praying for you and Dick every day. 💛
Sharon Moffett
I know God is speaking to you and through you. You are indeed enduring and doing it with so much grace. It is such a privilege to pray for you, Mel. Looking forward to hearing that you’re feeling strong! You’re shining – and your honesty is always so inspiring. 💕xo
Lore Phelps
Mel, (I assume you’ll remember who I am – HaHa)I have read your postings and felt the need to repond. What can I say . . . YOU are really an inspiration to me. I do have your name on my prayer list, and I pray not only for you, but Dick and the rest of your family as well. This posting, Endure, meant a lot to me. You and your family are a real witness for the Lord. Praying that everything is moving better and faster for you.
Angela Moscheo
I love you Mel Tunney…praying and believing for your healing. Your strength and perseverance is truly amazing. Thank you for allowing us to walk this difficult journey with you. Praying Jesus affection and presence are tangible to you!
Kevin Majeski
Dear Tunneys,
I just stumbled upon your blog and started reading about this chapter of your journey. You and your precious family are in my prayers. Sending you both so much love! 🙏🏻 ❤️
Keren Cummins
Mel, I’m continuing to pray for you and Dick as you endure together. Love you so much and so deeply appreciate your sharing this journey in this way. God is using you in new ways, as He will do when we let him!
JAN MARKOWITZ
I am so very sorry for how much you have suffered. We pray for you every day. Thankful Dick is there for you and your daughter. With all your suffering and honesty, you my dear are such an inspiration. I know it is hard and we each go through feeling moments of hopelessness and have to be reminded the Lord is withn us and in His perfect timing will come through. Keep standing on God’s Word and promises and you WILL endure. You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. It doesn’t feel like it at the time, but when this is over and you are feeling much better, you will say thank you, Lord, for what you have brought me through. Love you, sweet Melodie! Let’s keep enduring together with the Lord’s help. You are going to make it through this and be a living testimonyn to help others endure and never lose hope. There is always hope with Jesus!!!
Praying for Dick too! I understand his side of this.
Becky Eaker
Dear Mel, love your words and spirit. So thrilled you are home and learning some ” normal ” again. God is all powerful! I know first hand about those hospital days and feeling you can’t do it, but God would tell me over and over… Trust Me. Also, having a husband that fights for you. You and Dick are in my prayers. Please be patient with yourself to bounce back, it takes time, care and PT. You got this, Sis!!!!
Karen Townsend
Mel, your words are so beautifully written and so very true. All of the things you write, I went through over 25 years ago but it brings it all back. God is such a good and faithful God! Thank you for sharing so honestly.
Love & Prayers,
Gary & Karen
Catol Bradley
Endurance. Ed is just starting the journey with a cancerous tumor near his eye. His complaint wa double vision. Just had a PET scan done in the 13th. We are praying for you and Dick. Vanderbilt is taking care of the medical.
Sara and Dan Posthuma
Sending our love and prayers.