Many years ago, my grandmother was riding in a canoe, through the wilds of the northern Canadian woods. 

Her guide was an old native man, who was paddling her to a remote resort. 

Dusk was falling, and she had noticed earlier that he had cataracts. 

A little anxious, she asked if he needed any help in seeing the shoreline. 

Smiling, the guide replied, ‘No, but thank you. I learned some time ago to go as far as I can see and when I get there, I can see that much further.’

I heard that story many years ago when I was a young man. However, it really didn’t resonate with me until recently.

My wife is now struggling (and fighting bravely) against lung cancer. For the past five years, the disease has been present and active. 

Skilled medical people have helped, with chemotherapy and radiation, but the disease is still there.

Her fight—and mine—is to let her treatments take us as far as we can see and then to go on with new vision and new resolve, coping with what the next day brings. Our comfort is that we are not alone! Jesus, the light of the world, is with us.

Prayer: Dear Father, thank you for Jesus Christ, our light and our guide. Help us to follow closely in his steps so that we can find our way to joyful living. In his name we pray. Amen