Three Inches From My Face

There he is standing there. I’ve never met him. I don’t even know why he’s at my mother’s memorial service. There’s intensity in his eyes and in the words that pour from his mouth. He speaks as if these may be his last words. I have trouble understanding him because most of the words are mumbled. As we talk I discover why. This man has had several surgeries on his mouth for cancer.

I don’t remember every word he said but I remember listening so carefully wondering to myself whether this was really a man or an angel. His eyes would not let go of mine as he said things like “God is all over you Rick.” Others were standing in line, waiting to say something to me, but I was glued to this conversation, afraid I might miss a message from God if our eyes broke the stare.

I do not know how or why God allows what he does. I have no idea what connections He makes or how He organizes my life. But I know He sends messengers to prepare the way and I think this man was part of that process.

I got an email last night from a man interested in “The Hatfield Project”, a documentary I am working on with a production company out of Portland. As I read the email I discovered, its author is also the man who heads the company that developed the Calypso Radiation Process, the same process I will begin next Monday. Lyon Films (the production company) is creating a documentary on the Calypso Process, following me through these procedures.

How does this stuff happen? I’m overwhelmed by the grace of God and His ability to produce fruit in a life scared by cancer. So, as I head into this process, I find moments of fear but they are almost overshadowed by great moments of awe. I serve an amazing God and He’s got my back.