March 23rd ROUND

March 23^rd  ROUND

Still round the corner there may wait, a new road or a secret gate.  J.R.R. Tolkien

There are different things in life that have rounds.  Wrestling matches have rounds with specific rules for the different types of wrestling.  Boxing also has rounds; amateur bouts usually have four with the number gradually increasing after a fighter turns pro.  Doctors have rounds, not in a ring, but walking up, down and around hallways checking on patients.  A gun also has a round of ammunition.  You can also have a round of golf or a round of baseball.  If you are part of any competition you may be able to be talented enough to make it to the next round.  To make it to the next round you must be strong, motivated and dedicated.  You can’t give up, you can’t get discouraged, and you must press on towards the winning goal. 

My BFF Sherri just completed her first round of chemo Saturday.  Such a relief to hear the beeping sound and the word "complete" scroll across the machine.  A round of chemo is the same as any sports round.  Just as boxing is ranked the most difficult sport in the world, cancer can be the most difficult disease to cure.  It depends on the stage and type of cancer as to how many rounds you must tackle.  The more rounds the fighter receives will enable them to become a pro knowing what to expect, what to do, and how to handle it.  The truth is during the rounds of chemo the patients have rounds of ammunition standing beside them.  They have the armor of the Lord holding their hand helping them to cope with the specific characteristics of the poison that is dripping into their veins.  Through faith they have the strength to go to the ring boxing any cancer that wants to put up a fight.  In the end the bell will ring, the arm is lifted and the cancer cells are pinned to the mat.  Another winner in the ring is announced. 

Prayer warriors gather in the ring and pray for all of those fighting cancer, fighting the dreaded disease one round at a time. 

Jeremiah 17:14

New International Version (NIV)

14 Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed;
    save me and I will be saved,
    for you are the one I praise.

Dear Lord we pray for those tonight that are in the rings fighting cancer.  Give them strength and endurance to handle the drug that will rid their bodies of the damaging disease.   Please be with them during their battle and use Your healing power to cure them.  Remind them that they are never alone You are always with them.