February 6, 2012
Shall I only accept good from God, and not trouble? (Job 2:10)
Is God our genie and only praised when things go our way? Just a thought to start my Monday blog after a long day at MDA.
Let me shoot straight and tell you my friends that the news I was given today was not the best. I was informed that, surely enough, there is a sign of Leukemia in my Bone Marrow. Exactly 4%. Although a low percentage, I was told that I will need to undergo more Chemo Therapy Sessions (back to square one). I was presented with two options. Option #1 – heavy Chemo, that would destroy everything in sight, similar to what I received when my Leukemia level was in the 90% or option #2 – very targeted low dose sessions that would go straight to the Leukemia cells. I was informed that in both cases, I will “most probably” end up needing a new transplant (believe it or not – hm, hm, hm). Of course I opted for option #2, however, requested that before we commence this regiment to conduct another Bone Marrow Test to determine where things were (since there was a chance that the high level of the Graft vs Host Medication I was taking last week was interfering with the performance of the new Bone Marrow). The physicians agreed to this approach and I had a new Bone Marrow test today (ouch! – the good news is that my right side was hurting from last week’s test – today’s test was on my left side, so my back is well-balanced 🙂 ). The results should be out within a few days. I need your faithful prayers.
Whatever happens, it will all be for the good (Romans 8:28). Capturing 4% at this stage is a blessing vs capturing +50% later. Plus I got a lot of practice last time around, so I know what to expect and how to handle it 🙂 – – – My prayer at this stage is similar to Jesus’ ” If You are willing please take this cup away from me, yet not my will but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
In His Mighty Grip
Sami
Sami Lahoud 
Love you my brother ……praying for you alllllll the way from Jeddah:)
Sami,
We are heartened to hear of this setback, BUT if anyone can beat this it is you. You can do this!! Think of the Bucks in Dubai chanting you name, Sami! Sami! Sami! We are sending many humble prayers your way and look forward to the post when you tell us that it at 0%. Lots of love heading your way.
Dear Sami, I can’t say I am not shocked; I would be lying. However, I am surprised and amazed and really very blessed with your positive strong faith. As you said, His will not ours. Please hang in there. More prayers are going your way. Your sister in Christ, Eva
OMG.. What a great (Godly) attitude!!!! IF I must drink this cup, fill me with your might.. Not for me only but to ALL that I am a witness too. May your strength be perfect in my weakness. In my all, I will glory in your blessings and continually praise your name. You are God and your mercies endure forever, they will sustain me all the days of my life. Thy word is hidden in my heart and by your promises I will hold fast till my change comes. I love you Lord, but you know my all; keep your hedge about me and let my testimony remain strong!!
My Beloved…..I was not ready for this battle but truly our God knows best!!!!
I’m confident that the Lord is holding your hand and walking you through this hard time Samsoum. Things will get better, people with your faith will never give up, on the contrary…
The results will come better this time, you have the Lord on your side habibi. Our prayers are in full throttle, we will never stop before you are 100% cured my Brother.
I love you and I’m praying for you.
We are praying for miraculous healing in Doha. God bless you.
In the palm of His mighty hand may u be.. one day at a time ..
Are we ready to be poured out as offering . This is His request. Hang on. I know you are hanging on more than a lot of us following up with your news. He finishes what he starts.
courage…courage…courage. xo
Sami,
Just today we had you in our conversation at work with some of the folks that we were having lunch. I was telling everyone that we are waiting for the 100th day and I was very much convinced it was going to be a cake walk! So, I am a bit dishartened by this little bump in the path to your FULL recovery. I know this is a little invonvenience, but God tests the GREAT ones that He knows they can handle. Drita and I continue to pray for your continued progress toward full recovery and look forward to your next update very soon!
God bless you – prayers continue to come your way!
Albert.
ونحن نعلم ان كل الاشياء تعمل معاً للخير للذين يحبون الله. كل الاشياء وليس قسم منها. ثبت انظارك فيه
هذا كان تأملي اليوم وسوف أشاركك به
كأس أم سيف؟
فَقَالَ يَسُوعُ لِبُطْرُسَ: اجْعَلْ سَيْفَكَ فِي الْغِمْدِ! الْكَأْسُ الَّتِي أَعْطَانِي الآبُ أَلاَ أَشْرَبُهَا؟ ( يو 18: 11 )
بينما كان لبطرس سيف في يده، كان لسيدنا كأس في يده! وفي حين حاول بطرس، ولو عن غير قصد، أن يُقاوم مشيئة الله، نجد ربنا المعبود في طريق الطاعة لهذه المشيئة!
في السيف الذي في يد بطرس نرى صورة لرفض الواقع والظروف، لكن في الكأس التي في يد الآب نرى التسليم التام بما سمحت به العناية الإلهية. السيف يتعامل مع المنظور والعيان، أما الكأس فنرى فيها تعاملاً مع غير المنظور بالإيمان. السيف يُعلن رفض صاحبه لأن يتألم، وهذا الرفض قد يحمل إيذاء للغير. لكن الكأس تُعلن قبول الألم ورفض إيذاء الآخرين ( يو 18: 10 عب 2: 9 )، السيف له نتائج مدمرة، لكن نتائج الكأس فيها مجد كثير (عب2: 9).
ونحن نواجه مواقف عجيبة كثيرة في رحلة الحياة، تُرى هل نواجهها بسيف الرفض، أم بكأس الخضوع؟ صحيح أن الكأس الخاصة التي كانت لربنا يسوع ليلة الآلام، لن تواجهنا. لكن صحيح أيضًا أن يدي أبينا المُحب كثيرًا ما تُقدم لنا كؤوسًا ممزوجة بالمرار لأجل المنفعة. والفارق بين حياة يعقوب، وأسلوب يوسف في حياته، يُرينا هذا الفارق عينه. فبينما عاش يعقوب طويلاً يُلوِّح بسيف إرادته الذاتية تارة، ويستعمله تارة أخرى، حاصدًا للمرار، نجد يوسف يتحمل نصيبه من الألم الكثير لسنوات طويلة دون شكوى أو تذمر. فقد كان يقبل الكأس من يد القدير، الأمر الذي عبَّر عنه يوم عرَّف نفسه لإخوته بالقول: «لا تتأسفوا ولا تغتاظوا لأنكم بعتموني إلى هنا، لأنه لاستبقاء حياة أرسلني الله قدامكم» ( تك 45: 5 ).
وبعد موت أبيه عاد ليُطمئن إخوته بكلمات تكشف ليس فقط عن أنه كان يأخذ الألم في حياته من يدي سيده، لكن أيضًا عن ثقته في أن من ورائها كلها بركات عظيمة «أنتم قصدتم لي شرًا، أما الله فقصد به خيرًا» ( تك 50: 20 ). حقًا «قولوا للصدِّيق خير!» ( إش 3: 10 )، «ونحن نعلم أن كل الأشياء تعمل معًا للخير للذين يحبون الله، الذين هم مدعوون حسب قصده» ( رو 8: 28 ). وما أعظم المجد الذي كان ينتظره في نهاية رحلة الآلام هذه!
لنضع السيف في غمده إذًا، ولنقتفي أثار خطوات سيدنا، ونقبل الكأس من يد الآب، ففي هذا راحة لنا، وتمجيد لإلهنا، وخير جزيل ينتظرنا.
Cette nouvelle épreuve face à laquelle il n’y a pas de conseils, pas de recettes à te donner mon cher cousin, car toi seul détiens le courage et la foi, je ne puis te dire qu’une seule chose : Je suis de tout coeur avec toi. Ne perds jamais espoir !
Ps 27 :13-14
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD
“wait, I say, on the LORD”
Sami,
Praying for your complete recovery. Our God is mighty and in control. Through Him all things are possible.
Praise Him through the storm (Casting Crowns)
Love,
Robert and Trudi
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39
Oh Samaoum …words are beyond me this morning and although I am encouraged and confident that the Lord will finish the work he has started and and amazed by your faith that has truly shown to be built on the rocks, I couldn’t but drop few tears of shock( I know u think anything will make me cry, and remember those days when you made fun of may when i was watching TV and crying) but believe me these are different kinds of tears… I know that the devil is stepped on and the battle is ours to win and he cannot touch you as God is surounding you with His mighty angels. Praying for you habibi and for all those around you
love love love and more love
Kim
Sami,
I am glad you only have 4% now. It sounds as though you are getting better. We will continue to pray for you.
Robin
Praying with you my Brother. Chris
We are crying out to God for you my brother!!!
Sami,
Thanks for the testimony of the first lines of your post. You are a warrior. This is a blow to us over here in Dubai who love you and your family. We are praying for you.
I love you brother.
Jeff
وَقَالَ لَهُمْ أَيْضًا مَثَلاً فِي أَنَّهُ يَنْبَغِي أَنْ يُصَلَّى كُلَّ حِينٍ وَلاَ يُمَلَّ
لوقا 1:18
لان الرؤيا بعد الى الميعاد وفي النهاية تتكلم ولا تكذب. ان توانت فانتظرها لانها ستاتي اتيانا ولا تتأخر)
(حبقوق 2: 3)
(أنا الرب في وقته أسرع به)
(اشعياء 22:60)
Jack, me, Rachelle, Daniel and Joelle and will keep praying for you. We love you Sami
Habibi, I am so raging mad at those blasts, the 4% that i spent half of last night mentally stomping and wiping out. Your courage is amazing, and with your unwavering faith you will get through this once again. May His peace and strength fill your heart with confidence at all times. My sweet little brother, I am praying with all my might that years from now when you’re fully recovered, we can look back at this as just a hiccup on your way to a full cure.
Sami,
Suzanne and I are praying for the success of your next phase of treatment. We miss you and your family here in Dubai. All your friends and colleagues at the office are thinking about you.
May God hold you in His hands.
Kurt Guenther
I love you Sami.. God is good all the time and he will take good care of you 🙂
Dear Sami,
Despite the temporary bad news, I am so encouraged you continue to maintain your inspirational and positive outlook. We are all pulling for you, and if you turn your head towards downtown, you’d likely even hear all the positive thoughts and prayers coming from us all. There is not a person among us that doubts YOU WILL BEAT THIS!
Best wishes always,
Margaret
Keeping you in prayer, Sami. Was thinking about Kari Jobe’s song “Healer” as I was reading your blog. Your strength never ceases to amaze me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4JpmNXO_Qk
Sami, I am so sorry that your difficult journey continues. My Sunday School continues to pray for you, and your faith is an inspiration to us all.
Diane