My “Cancer” Poem

My Dad and Me. 1980-ish. Look at all that hair!

15 years ago my dad was diagnosed with Terminal Renal Carcinoma (kidney cancer). It was a difficult time for him, and for us. So, late one night, I wrote him this poem entitled, “My Only Comfort”.

He printed it out and kept a copy with him.  He even tried to turn it into a hymn, but he passed away before he finished it. Now I offer it for all who suffer from cancer or in any other way.  May you also find your only comfort in Jesus Christ.

My brothers and sisters in Christ who are of the Reformed persuasion will recognize it. It is based on the first Question and Answer from the Heidelberg Catechism.

My Only Comfort

My only comfort in life and death,
Is that Jesus owns my every breath,
He owns me in both body and soul,
I am His, not in part, but in whole.

His blood that spilt upon the tree,
Has fully justified and pardoned me,
And from the Devil’s terrible power,
Christ my freedom won, in that glorious hour.

My Lord preserves me up to the end,
In His grace my faith will never bend,
No not even one hair, can be touched,
Unless He wills it, to be as such.

My Lord and Saviour has assured me,
That all things must work in unity,
For the Good of those who serve the Lord,
Yes He my salvation has assured.

By His Holy Spirit, whom he gave,
I know for certain that He did save,
All His elect from the sting of death,
When on the cross he drew his last breath.

Amazing love and mercies unknown,
Grace and pity, us he has shown.
That he would die, cursed upon a tree,
And give his life, for the likes of me.

To live for him is what I desire,
Us he has saved, from the muck and mire.
Now he commands that we live with grace,
As we shine with His light in our place.

My only comfort in life and death,
Is that Jesus owns my every breath,
He owns me in both body and soul,
I am His, not in part, but in whole.