Sarcoma is/was "my" cancer--Chondrosarcoma specifically. This month I get to have some fun related to my cancer.

Last month I got the results from my annual scans. Two years cancer free!! 

As Care Pastors and Care Givers, most of the time we care for people during a crisis. Grief, trauma, addiction, mental/physical/emotional illness and injury dominate our opportunities to offer care through presence, listening, prayer and support. These opportunities are rewarding. We are thrilled to make a difference in someone's life, but we wouldn't call them fun.

When I was a hospice chaplain people would ask, "How do you to that every day? Do you enjoy your job?"

"I enormously enjoy my job, but more than fun, I value it. It is rewarding," I would answer them.  Often there was the pleasure of meeting interesting people, learning their story and being invited into their life at a sacred time.

However, sometimes care opportunities are FUN in addition to being rewarding. Not too long ago I was using a walker. Then I graduated to a cane. Now I am training to run a 5K "race" with hundreds of other people, some who were affected by cancer and others who like to help, make a donation and run.

I'm thankful the Sarcoma Foundation ( www.curesarcoma.org and www.curesarcoma.org/race/ ) has organized these events all over the country and people by the thousands pay, show up and run/walk. We get T-shirts, hang out with the medical community, other patients and their families and share the common denominator of being cancer patients.

However, there will only be one cancer patient who is the father of the winner. Last year that was me. Will Andrew repeat? He is in pretty good shape and long after he crosses the finish line I will too. We will celebrate the run, enjoy the festive environment and a knock down a cold one. It is going to be fun.

And all the proceeds go to a good cause: research to cure sarcoma.

Everybody should find a cause to support with an activity, in addition to the normal tithes, offerings and financial donation. Whether it is a bake sale, a 5K, a silent auction, a consignment shop, a yard sale, a concert or a missions trip, there are a lot of fun ways to care for others. These efforts raise funds and make a difference that is beyond measure.

Generous and caring people are the happiest people.

They aren't generous because they are happy, but are happy because they are engaged, involved and generous.

What you care, it matters, even when it is fun!

I hope this post helps you enjoy your care ministry so that you are able to offer the best care.