It’s a question I get asked a lot and sometimes the answer isn’t really simple.
Physically? He is fighting a pretty lousy disease which is impacting his life in ways we wish it wasn’t. Emotionally? Well, in general he does pretty great. Of course some days are tougher than others, but overall I remain amazed and slightly awestruck by the positive disposition of this man I married. Spiritually? Well, this one is nearly always fun to answer (isn’t God so good?)
However, I’ve been doing a lot of talking for Steve recently so I’ve decided to make HIM answer the question. Here are his current thoughts on life:
Nothing makes you think more about life than a brush with death. On July 1987 my wife and 13 month old daughter Whitney were traveling from Portland, OR to Black Butte Ranch, OR for the long 4th of July weekend with her family. As we were cascading down the eastern side of Mount Hood on this bright summer day, we came around a corner to find a car traveling in our lane. The only thoughts I had time to think were, HARD LEFT and I wonder what it feels like to hit another vehicle head on. Twenty minutes later I came too as I was walking on the side of the high way – looking behind me I saw our vehicle and my wife and child being tended to by first responders. All three of us had a close call that day but today my girl is a beautiful 24-year-old and my wife and I celebrated 26 years in February.
Flash forward to February 2011 a week after our anniversary. Bo and I and Whitney and her husband Corey were traveling from Bend, OR to Portland on the same stretch of highway – this time we were heading to see my doctor in Portland. There is a lot of life that happens over 24 years – great times, and not so great times as in everyone’s life. Our hearts were somewhat heavy as we knew a diagnosis was coming from the past eight months of testing for some symptoms I had been experiencing. We don’t even think about that piece of highway anymore – the brush of death has come and gone as a fleeting moment – we have new challenges on the horizon of life.
Since February I have been making plans to retire from work as I have been diagnosed with ALS. It’s not a very hopeful proposition as there is no cure for this disease. This time however, I have much more time to think, react, plan and hope than I did 24 years ago. What’s been on my mind is the gift of LIFE. I had taken life so for granted, the thought of not having it wasn’t in my twenty year plan – with that, priorities have changed. I think I’ve caught up and my head has stopped spinning from the news of ALS – I’ve wondered why my priorities were not this way long ago? Time and purpose have become enormously important – relationships have moved quickly to the forefront of my life, first my wife, kids and family – then friends. The most resilient of all relationships has been my relationship with God. As I’ve looked over my life (which you tend to do in circumstances like these) I’ve seen where God has intersected with me and was a rock for me to lean on – none more than this time of my life. God has been there all the time, never left and will be waiting with open arms in my next season of eternity. I find comfort in that, actually a peace that goes beyond my natural capability in dealing with the remainder of my earthly physical life – I can’t imagine not having this assurance.
I was recently in a setting where a question was asked of everyone – if you could go to heaven right now would you go? I have to admit the proposition is alluring but I can’t get away from two words that inspire me to stay as long as possible – TIME & PURPOSE. More to come on this. I’m setting sail on a journey of LIFE, and I hope you will come along with me.
sbstern
So, there you have it. That’s how Steve is doing. I can’t begin to tell you how blessed I feel to be along for the ride.
Finding joy in the journey,
Bo
P.S. You can read more from Steve at his blog at www.stevenstern.wordpress.com
Both Jon & I feel so blessed that our lives have intersected with yours & Steve’s and your family. Hey, any chance Steve would be up for some salmon fishing — with my Jon and maybe our resident fishing guide — when you come for the retreat?
Please thank Steve for taking the time to share his thoughts in this difficult season. We all need to be reminded about time and purpose. I don’t want to waste any of it!
WE love you sister Bo and brother Steve. God bless you today, and thank you for sharing your words will touch many lives. God is good.
All I can say is, “Wow!”God bless you Steve, we are praying for you and your family!
I just read this out loud to Levi, and we’re blessed by the story, authored by the One who does all things well…
Looking forward to the unfolding!
Love,
Jill
Time and purpose have become enormously important – relationships have moved quickly to the forefront of my life, first my wife, kids and family – then friends. The most resilient of all relationships has been my relationship with God.
Thanks Steve, I have recently been thinking the same thing about my family. With the symptoms that I have with my heart disease knowning that at the blink of an eye the Lord could take me home, I find that much of the troubles that sometimes seem in the forefront are trivial to the trials and sufferings that we go through each day.
After my resignation from WS, I found two things that occured in my life. 1) More in depth desire to know God through His word and 2) Enjoy my family more rather than get caught up in the doings of ministry. God will open those doors as He sees fit, and I will share my Lord with whom ever I have a chance to.
Bless you and of course praying for you and the Stern family
Correction… I meant that the trials and sufferings that we seem to go through seem trivial in light of knowing that one’s time could be shorter than we realize…. sorry
Perspectives. God. Life. Family. Friends. Powerful words you’ve shared. Thinking of you and your family, whom we love, does place me into a new position of perspective with my life.
Thank you for sharing ~
Thanks Bo, for your “guest” speaker. It’s a privilege to be privy to your inner thoughts and feelings as you go through this with Steve, and comforting to have confirmed directly by Steve that all is well with his soul. His priorities have challenged me!
Steve & Bo, there is know doubt in my mind, you both are in the arms of our Lord & Savior. We have you both on our Life Group prayer list here in Arizona. We do actually pray for you two, not just saying that. You two are special and have been for many years. Whatever the outcome that God sees worthy and fitting for your lives, I know you will welcome with open arms, a smile, and God will bless with”well done wonderful servant.
We love you guys,
Phil & Carole Kooistra
PS: Keep the thoughts and comments coming as, I’m sure, they will help someone down the rode..