I went to the hospital yesterday for a blood draw to check my platelet count. While it’s not as high as they’d ideally like, I’m not running a fever and have so far avoided infection. I’m tired, and need several naps throughout the day.
One of the little vices in my life that I freely admit to is using too much hot water in the shower. It’s one of my thinking times where I run over all I hope to accomplish in the day and daydream about what’s possible.
By day’s end, there’s always several things on my “to do” list that don’t get finished, and when I lay down at night I resolve to go at it strong tomorrow.
Now that I’m running about 70% of my usual energy level, that list of unfinished business gets longer and longer.
Staff has been great about handling what they can. The on-going challenge for me is accepting not what I want to do, but what I am able to do.
I must learn to let go with acceptance and patience. I have a tendency to want to accomplish great things, but at times like this, I’m reminded of the example set by St. Therese, the Little Flower.
It’s not the size of the deed, but the amount of love you put into it. Small things done for God are what are most beautiful and important.
Small things done for God are what are most beautiful and important.
If I can only do a few things, but do them with great love, that’s what God asks today.
Dear Father,
When my mom had cancer, she ate red meat every day and never had a a problem with her blood work. She had to go through 1 1/2 year of chemo. She absolutely believed eating a steak a day helped with her blood.
You should at least try it.
Fondly, Marilyn Cavanaugh
I continue to pray for you and the school. God bless you.
You are in my prayers and so are the children. God will give you the energy to do the things He wants you to do, and to win your battle!
Dear Father Steve, I have been monitoring you through the blogs. I know it is hard to accept the limitations of your condition but we are taught, where God closes a door he opens a window. Rest when you need to, go when you can. That is some of the best advice my Dr. gave me. Your and your St. Joseph family remain in my prayers.
Sue Kleck
FATHER STEVE
THAT IS EXACTLY RIGHT IN WHAT YOU SAID. GOD DOES NOT EXPECT MORE THAN WE ARE CAPABLE OF DOING. HE THAT IS FAITHFUL OVER LEAST, IS FAITHFUL OVER MUCH IN HIS EYES. HE LOVES ALL HIS CHILDREN AND TREASURES EACH AND EVERYONE OF US. HIS LOVE IS DEEP IN YOUR HEART, AND THAT IS WHAT COUNTS. GET LOTS OF REST AND KEEP PRAYING AS I KNOW YOU DO, AND WE WILL ALWAYS DO THE SAME. THE JOY YOU GET FROM SEEING THE CHILDREN AND SHARING YOUR FEELINGS BRINGS BLESSINGS TO ALL OF US. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND. MICHAEL CLAPPER
Father Steve,
You are truly to be admired for your upbeat and philosophical approach to your illness. Too many times we have a tendency to question God why certain things happen and turn away from his unconditional love. The Lord never intends us harm and hopefully the trials he puts in our path will only make us stronger. Please know you, the children, and your staff are constantly in our prayers. Please focus on getting well and being able to accomplish those “Great Things” that are in your heart.
Best regards,
Father Steve
You are blessed to be surrounded by so much love and support. Listen to your body and rest when it says to rest. You are in my every thought and prayer.
I was shocked and extremely sorry to hear of your news.I will be praying for you to be healed by the FATHER. May GOD bless you .
Any time we are not feeling our best, I think many of us find it hard to delegate or let go of the things we feel so responsible for. Sadly for us, it’s a true lesson in humility…that others can and will pick up for us, but it should also be a lesson in joy…joy that you and St. Joe’s are so loved that people won’t let you down.
For a person who is so giving, it’s very hard to give to yourself. Your body is telling you that right now, YOU have to be your first priority.
God bless!
DEAR FATHER STEVE,
WE TOOK THE TRIAL YOU ARE GOING THROUGH, THE SAME AS IF YOU WERE A MEMBER OF OUR FAMILY. BECAUSE IN OUR HEARTS YOU ARE! MORE
THAN THAT, WE SHARE THE THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.
WE HOLD YOU UP BEFORE OUR LORD EVERYDAY IN
PRAYER. IN HIS PRECIOUS HANDS, YOU WILL RECEIVE COMFORT AND “THE PEACE THAT PASSES
UNDERSTANDING”.
THE APOSTLE PAUL COMES TO MIND AS A MAN OF
GOD WHO POURED HIMSELF OUT DAILY BECAUSE OF
THE LOVE OF CHRIST. NOT IN TALK BUT HIS DAILY WALK.
WE KNOW YOU ARE ALSO DEDICATED TO THE CHILDREN GOD HAS GIVEN TO YOU. FATHER STEVE, THE SEEDS YOU HAVE PLANTED IN FAITH
WILL BRING FORTH A HARVEST. A HARVEST THAT
GLORIFIES OUR LORD! OUR LORD WHO REIGNS NOW AND FOREVER. YOU HAVE TOUCHED LIVES OF
THOSE YOU WILL NOT MEET UNTIL WE ALL MEET IN OUR HEAVENLY HOME!
WE PRAY UNTIL THEN, GOD HEAL YOU AND RESTORE YOU TO COMPLETE HEALTH.
IN CHRIST WE SEND OUR PRAYERS
AND OUR LOVE,
ED AND LURRA CIABATTARI
Fr. Steve,
I will keep praying for you!
I want to thank you for this post. In the midst of your own troubles, you are ministering to me with your words. We all have days where we cannot do as much as we want to. I’ve been struggling with depression, and your words were a comfort. Thanks.
i said a prayer for you today, god bless you for all the work you have done with these children, i will be donating monthly, i wish it could be more but i know every dollar helps. so sorry you are going through this terrible ordeal.
Hi Fr. Steve. Hope today was a good day and that tomorrow will be a good day also. God Bless!
Dear Fr. Steve,
I, too, was shocked and saddened by your news. I am glad you are willing to share this journey you are taking with us. I am sure it it uplifting to know so many people are remembering you, daily, in prayer.
Thank you and God Bless
Ann Short
Dear Father Steve, I am sorry to hear about your cancer but it sounds like it is under control. I will keep you in my prayers. Remember, the Lord doesn’t give us more then we can bear. Speaking about it is ahealthy way of dealing with it . I remember wwhen I wase diagnosed with breast cancer 11 years ago, my family and church family were very important to me. Listen to your body. It will tell you just how much you can do. The children are a blesding to you also. God Bless you and heal you, Phyllis Dujon
Dear Fr. Steve,
You are so very courageous and inspiring!!! We know it must be so scary for you and making you feel anxious since like you said you want to accomplish so many great things and for now have to concentrate on just what you can get done. Just remember the old saying “Rome wasn’t built in one day” and as my wife’s Dad who was in the Air Force used to say, as a gunner, “Fire at the one coming in at you” since there were so many enemy planes coming so close to them at one time – it’ll help you keep things in perspective – you just keep smiling your wonderful smile and we think the children are so precious and all you do for them is so wonderful and inspiring – they are so inspiring too (We LOVED their cards!!!). So glad the staff is so fantastic in assisting you right now with everything. We’re saying many prayers for you and the children and your staff as well. God bless you in taking good care of yourself and we will ask God to give your doctors the knowledge that they need to make you all better!! Take good care till next time we write – ;<)
You are in my prayers, Father Steve, as I pray Our Holy Mother heal you as you have healed so many of the children.
Dear Father Steve,
I wanted to thank you for the email concerning your sad news. I wanted to let you know you are in our prayers.
Two of my sisters have had cancer and come through it. Karen had Hotkins (cancer of the lymph nodes), that was before she got married and her second oldest graduated last year. Cindy just had breast cancer this year, but has been through the treatment and is doing fine. Sandy’s dad had cancer a few years back and he is doing fine. Our hopes and prayers are with you.
Tut
Father Steve,
Ever since my friend Bill Dilworth introduced me to you and the childreen by sharing what he received my prayers have been with the Lakota family. Now I have a more intense prayer life with focus on your healing. I know our God heals having seen it in my personal life with my family and my church family. My sister had breast cancer and after surgery and radiation lived another 31 years.
Use your time when you must rest for listening to Gods voice. Sometimes He just needs us to slow down so we can hear. I am thankful for the Staff and children he has surrounded you with for their support for you.
God Bless You.
Rosalind
Dear Father: I received the sweetest little “dream catcher” in the mail today, I am going to pass it to a co-worker with a 1 year old, the story attached to my gift makes me want to believe in sifting out of bad dreams and the receiving of good. You have opened your heart and your life to so many of these beautiful wide eyed children, we pray for your quick recovery, they need you! I am a single mom who is caring for my own aging parents, it’s difficult to wonder what message God is trying to teach us through these trials. I often tell my son that maybe not even in this life time we will know, but someone, somewhere, sometime will. May God continue to hold you in the palm of his hand. We are praying for you, and all of your children.
Regards,
Barbara