The Calm After the Storm

2 years ago I had the opportunity to go to Haiti and visit a few orphanages. It was my hope that I would end up living there and do whatever I was called for, regardless of the danger.
People always warned me how dangerous it was. They said that I would get there and realize it's a different world, hate it, and never go back. They would tell me I was crazy and I would never do it because they would never do it.
I could understand where people were coming from, however none of it made sense to me personally. Danger? If it's my purpose God will handle the danger. So, to me, there was no danger. And of course I knew it was a different world, that was the point of going. What good would I do going somewhere comfortable for me? And the fact that people said I shouldn't go is because they wouldn't is the whole essence of why I absolutely should go. Not many people would. Not many people dream of going to a 3rd world country and living life rough while serving others. But I did. I craved it. So, if that was a desire I possessed, I should do it, because so few others are willing to.
The other day it hit me. My father's outlook on his journey might be like my outlook on Haiti. Not that I think he wants cancer, but he's taking on the task of reaching out to other's in the middle of an undesirable circumstance. He's praying with people. Talking to them. Being honest and raw about what he's gone through. He's making them laugh and smile. Giving them hope. He is being a light to others. And I think if given the choice, he would choose the path he's on now rather than a cancer free one. I think he knows this is his path God has laid out for him and that it's bigger than whatever he will endure from the cancer.
Until now I've had a very hard time coping with this. I couldn't understand it. Because of that I couldn't even begin to process it. It started to eat at me. But now I get it. Now, I can move on and process. It's still not a desirable place that I have to see my Dad be in. It's quite hard to watch actually. But, it's what I would do. And I suppose my desire to do good despite hardships that I may have faced, come from my Dad. I mean, I am his daughter. So here's to a new outlook and respect on what my Dad is going through. And to finally being Ok enough with it to move on without my anger. In fact I'm pretty proud of him for taking cancer head on and being a light for others at the same time.