Put Your Trust in God
by Jenni Ritzert
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)
Before Mark and I were married, I went to church mostly every Sunday and Mark sometimes went with me. He grew up going to church, but for him, worshiping seemed more of an obligation/routine rather than freewill worshiping, with people who treat you like family and welcome you by name. He was surprised and joyful about how loving everyone was at “my” church, and how scripture resonated with him more than ever before.
Before Mark’s diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, he was terribly sick and admitted into the hospital to have a stent placed in his bile duct. During this time, I reached out to my dear friend, JoAnne. She is full of God’s love and not afraid to share God’s story with anyone open to listening. I asked JoAnne if she could just sit with Mark while I went home to shower. At the time, no other procedures were planned for that day, and I thought he would just sleep while JoAnne was there. Little did I know, God had different plans!
Always the friendly, outgoing, doesn’t-know-a-stranger kind of guy, Mark asked JoAnne to pull her chair over to his bedside so they could chat. Mark immediately felt the love of God exuding from JoAnne, and he confessed to her that he was scared about this disease and his future.
When I arrived back at the hospital, a staff member was prepping Mark for another procedure. He was not the same person I had left just two hours before. Despite the surprise change of plans, he looked at peace. He was smiling when he told me, "JoAnne and I had a wonderful chat - everything will be fine."
I was wondering how his outlook had changed so quickly and how he had such hope in his voice. I kissed him as they wheeled him away, then looked in surprise at JoAnne, asking, “Who was that light-hearted guy?” JoAnne explained, “It was a ‘God thing!’” She told me about their visit, and how Mark’s heart just seemed open and ready to listen to what she had to share. Thereafter, Mark’s positive outlook became contagious as evidenced in his Cancer Chronicles posts (on his Facebook page) where he shared his experiences, fears, hopes, and his FAITH in God. Mark was learning to put his trust in God and eventually wrote, “…if it’s my time, I am at peace knowing there is much more beyond this life.”
Just think how one person, sharing the word of God, could make such a huge difference in another person’s life. And just think how that one person’s new/revived faith in God could grow and ripple out to many other people.
Pray: Loving God, reveal someone I can trust and open up to about my feelings and fears as I go through this journey. Remind me I am never alone and You are always with me, providing just what I need, when I need it. Amen.
Your Turn: Think about who you might confide in and who will truly HEAR your specific hopes and fears. Is that person able to pray with you and encourage you? Try not to hold in your fears. Express yourself so you can consider the best way to move forward on this journey. If you would like a cancer Prayer Partner to call you once a week to hear how you are doing and take your prayer requests, go to: https://www.cancercompanion.org/cancer-prayer-partners.
Jenni Ritzert, Cancer Caregiver
Jenni’s husband, Mark, passed away after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. They benefited in amazing ways from a Cancer Companions class called “Seeing God in your Cancer Journey.” Mark was able to fully realize God’s extravagant love and Jenni learned to lean on God and others throughout those difficult times. Jenni retired in 2020 from Wright Patterson Air Force Base. She prays the devotionals she wrote will help caregivers as they journey through cancer with their family/friends.