Picked Up

About eighteen months ago Brian Hahn was told he had terminal cancer. Radiation. Chemo. A surgery that took his esophagus and joined his stomach to his throat. A hundred and ten pounds gone. Complications that could have ended the story there. He lives with an early expiry date over his head. He is not asking anyone to feel sorry for him. He does not feel pity. He does not feel real fear. What he feels is this: he started a ministry at thirty-four, and he is not done. This episode is not a medical chart and it is not an inspiration poster. The cancer opens the door. The real room is what happened next. After a lifetime of feeling like the black sheep — the outsider, almost invisible — people picked him up. His wife stayed. His daughters stayed. Neighbours, community, doctors and nurses treated his life as if it still mattered. The thief did not get to steal the fact that he was loved. And it did not get to steal the work. One sentence to carry out of the room: I live with an expiry date. I was picked up anyway. The work is not finished. If you are the one who is sick: tell one safe person the true sentence. Not the brave version. I am tired. I need you. I am still here. If you are standing next to someone who is sick: do not wait for the perfect thing to say. Say, I am here. Then stay. This is not a debate and it is not a rally. A Soft Place to Land is a faith-based conversation that is encouraging and unhurried — a safe space from political anger. You do not have to perform bravery. You can receive help without becoming small. More of this work lives at jaxsonharlan.com. Come back next time. We will keep the light on. Hosted by Brian Hahn. From Jaxson Harlan Ministry / Jaxson Radio. May you go from here unhurried. May you remember you are held. And if there is a date on your calendar you did not choose, may it not get the last word.