"worse than you"

I have a friend who has cancer. All cancer is scary, but his is really, really scary - it's in his brain.

I've thought before about what it would be like to be confronted by the kind of cross that would come with that kind of diagnosis. To be honest, it scares the crap out of me. The emotional, psychological shock. The physical pain of treatment. The spiritual aspect of being given a new share in the sufferings of Christ. Having to figure out how to respond to family and friends, having to figure out how to respond to your own emotions, learning to relate to yourself, and God, in such a different way - it can't be easy.

Yet, through all of it, he has maintained an amazing outlook. I haven't known him very long, but in the short time I've spent around him, his hopefulness and desire to maintain as normal a way of life as possible have truly made an impression on me. He always has a smile, a story - you'd never know what he was going through. And really, I have absolutely no idea what he's going through - not only because I've never experienced such a thing - but also because he never complains about any of it. When you ask him how he's doing, he simply says, "Worse than you," and leaves it at that.

He is an inspiration, and an incredible witness to the cross. I am grateful to know him.

Please pray for him.