Gee, Alan, that's sucky news, that is. But remember, if it is the heart, remember that though your physical heart may say it's weak, we all know your real heart is both true and strong. And more important, He knows it is.
He still has his arms around you and your wife both. Never doubt it.
I am not sure why, but for some reason, the words of the fifth Hank, come to mind...
Whatās he that wishes so?
My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin;
If we are markād to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
Godās will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires.
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England.
Godās peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more methinks would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And crowns for convoy put into his purse;
We would not die in that manās company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is callād the feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is namād,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say āTo-morrow is Saint Crispian.ā
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say āThese wounds I had on Crispianās day.ā
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But heāll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-
Be in their flowing cups freshly remembāred.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall neāer go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he neāer so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accursād they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispinās day.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)