The Portrait Maker: God’S Faithful Hand in Marriage, Cancer and Caregiving

By Bryan T. Blunt

THE PORTRAIT MAKER: GODS FAITHFUL HAND IN MARRIAGE, CANCER AND CAREGIVING reviews the unlikely intersection at which the lives of two families convergedan intersection at which the life of a child was saved by the man who would later become that childs father-in-law. The book moves through two youngsters ill-equipped marriagerecounting the time at which they were called to be Christs disciples and the life they then forged for themselves and their children. But much more than that, THE PORTRAIT MAKER covers the difficult race they ran after receiving what is certainly one of the most devastating medical diagnoses one can be given. In the final analysis, however, this is a story about God faithfully and lovingly working in and through two people who became one in Christ and who tried to faithfully follow the path He set before them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 9, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512769975

Bryan T. Blunt

Bryan T. Blunt is a fellow with the American Society for Quality, and an award-winning recipient of three Six Sigma black belts. A former aerospace industry quality executive, he is president of Quality Works Consulting, LLC, an operational improvement resource for the manufacturing industry. Bryan holds a BS in manufacturing technology from Southwestern College, a BA in management from the University of Phoenix, and an MBA from Western International University. He and Jo, his late wife of forty-four years, are the parents of three sons and grandparents of seven grandsons and two granddaughters. Bryan was Jo’s primary caregiver until her passing. He lives in Arizona.

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Copyright © 2017 Bryan T. Blunt.

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This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are fromthe ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotes marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-6998-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-6999-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-6997-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016921297

WestBow Press rev. date: 01/30/2017

Contents

About The Book

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1 Finding The Way

Chapter 2 Into The Vale

Chapter 3 The Raging Storm

Chapter 4 The Steep Climb Out

Chapter 5 Home Sweet Home

Chapter 6 The Table Before Us

Chapter 7 Priceless Moments

Chapter 8 The Flower

Conclusion

Endnotes

ABOUT THE BOOK

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T HE PORTRAIT MAKER: GOD’S FAITHFUL HAND IN MARRIAGE, CANCER AND CAREGIVING reviews the unlikely intersection at which the lives of two families converged—an intersection at which the life of a child was saved by the man who would later become that child’s father-in-law. The book moves through two youngsters’ ill-equipped marriage—recounting the time at which they were called to be Christ’s disciples and the life they then forged for themselves and their children. But much more than that, THE PORTRAIT MAKER covers the difficult race they ran after receiving what is certainly one of the most devastating medical diagnoses one can be given. In the final analysis, however, this is a story about God faithfully and lovingly working in and through two people who became one in Christ and who tried to faithfully follow the path He set before them.

The Portrait Maker: God’s Faithful Hand in Marriage, Cancer, and Caregiving is a perceptive insight into the tragedies affecting so many families today. The book is a tribute to the providence of God without, at the same time, becoming a philosophical assessment of fatalism. Bryan Blunt describes here the agonies of diagnosis, long-term treatment, and ultimate transfer to glory of someone whom you love more than life itself. In the process, Blunt shows how faith in the goodness and providence of God is an overwhelming asset in such a time of agony. Every pastor ought to keep several of these books handy to give to parishioners who are walking this valley.

Paige Patterson, President

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Fort Worth, Texas

The Bible says that God comforts us in all our distresses so we might be able to comfort others (2 Cor. 1:3). Bryan Blunt shares a powerful story of God’s grace in the midst of trial that will be an encouragement to anyone who reads it, especially those who are experiencing devastating circumstances. You will be moved by his compelling testimony and comforted by his words!

David Johnson, Executive Director

Arizona Southern Baptist Convention

Wonderfully written and full of pearls for marriage [and] caregiving… [It] reminds us of the value of life and love.

Ryan R. Falsey, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.A.D.

The Portrait Maker paints a beautiful, God-honoring and heart wrenching picture of what ‘the two shall become one’ looks like up close when ‘for better or for worse’ is tested. Tender and true, Bryan and Jo’s story will tug at your heart strings and stir your soul. When the unimaginable happens, whether you’re the caregiver or the care receiver, only God’s amazing grace can get you both through it.

Keith T. Durham

Pastor and Church Revitalization Specialist

Portrait Maker is the testimony of two Christ followers who persevere during life’s darkest valleys, experience blessings in the present and find glory in the future Kingdom of God. The story of refining their faith is of extraordinary worth, a must read and gift for married couples and caregivers!

Monica White, MSW

Hospice Social Worker, Volunteer Coordinator & Grief Group Facilitator

Also by Bryan T. Blunt

Turnaround: The Quality Path to Saving the Business

To our sons Bryan, Randy, and Terry; daughters-in-law Dalia, Jamie, and Lyndsey; and grandchildren Adam, Aaron, Logan, Tommy, Tyler, Cody, Addison, Eli, and McKinley, with whom God so richly blessed Jo and me.

FOREWORD

O ne of the heroes of the Bible is Joshua, the understudy of Moses. He was diligent in the ways of the Lord, and God used him in a mighty way as the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Joshua’s life presents a perfect case-study in effective leadership for many reasons. This man of God had many incredible qualities, not the least of which were courage, strength under pressure, perseverance, faithfulness, godly character, and love for the Lord.

Even a casual reader of the Bible will be naturally drawn to Joshua. Indeed, one of the most quoted verses is a command with a promise from God in Joshua 1:9, which says, Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (ESV). This verse speaks to us today because, with the many challenges we face in daily living, it provides a foundation from which we can take our stand, look forward, and accomplish great things in the name of the Lord.

In the course of life, we meet precious people who, by the grace of God, exemplify by their decisions and actions the character of Joshua, the man called by God to attempt great things in His name, for His glory. In my estimation, Bryan Blunt is one such man.

Over the course of the roughly twenty-two-month timeframe described in this book, I had the distinct privilege to pray with him, spend time with him, and cry and rejoice with him. It was a period of time, as you will soon discover in the following pages, in which I saw a husband love his wife with a biblical love, the likes of which I have rarely ever seen. One gets a glimpse of his love for his precious wife, Jo, in 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a, which says, Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends (ESV).

It is without hesitation that I recommend this book to you, whether you are a caregiver to someone with a grave illness like cancer, know someone who is a caregiver, or may even be the person with a serious illness. This book will bless your heart because it was written from the heart … from the heart of a husband who lived out his faith in the loving care of his dear wife. Through all of it, Bryan exemplified Joshua 24:15, in which Joshua proclaims, But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (ESV). Bryan served the Lord through his Christlike love for his wife, and his passion to care for her was clearly seen in everything he did. Theirs was an incredible medical and spiritual journey, which culminated in Jo stepping into the presence of Jesus, her Lord and Savior. To witness it was a life-changing experience for me.

As Bryan’s pastor, I will be forever grateful for the honor to be able to minister to him as he loved his wife into eternity. My prayer is that this book will minister to you as you serve your loved one in these days.

May the Lord comfort you and guide your steps.

Dr. Philip William Calvert, senior pastor

Trinity SBC

B ryan and Jo Blunt have been our friends for over twenty years. Our relationship grew over the years, and we had much in common. We both had three sons, Bryan and Mike worked together for several years, and above all, we had the Lord in common.

In July 2014, Bryan called to tell us that his wife and sweetheart, Jo, had just been diagnosed with an extremely aggressive grade IV brain cancer called glioblastoma. We would learn a little later that the disease is almost always fatal within three months