When a life-crisis comes, it can test a person’s faith. Such is the case with the crisis of Mary’s cancer diagnosis 5 days ago. The Bible tells us, “You will have trouble.” (John 16:33) And yet when it comes, we’re never prepared.
Or are we?
In that same verse Jesus is talking, and just before his warning that we’ll all have troubles, he says that even while we’re in the midst of them, he wants us to experience his deep inner peace. He says he makes “his glorious power” available to us to produce endurance and that we’ll be given as much as we need. (Colossians 1:11)
Even though Mary hasn’t known about her cancer for very long, I’ve glimpsed that “glorious power” at work within her already. I look back at texts from Saturday, that long, frustrating day she and Bervin spent in the emergency room, and see how she was suffering: high fever, a bad belly ache, and the sudden onset of jaundice.
As doctors began a string of tests and hinted at what might be wrong, Mary sensed the day wasn’t going to end well. The two of us were texting off and on, and midday she wrote, “Don’t worry. Just keep praying.”
As the diagnosis came closer, she knew it was more than just a bad case of the flu but wrote, “‘Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.’ I’m glad God is near.”
Between those words I could hear the Lord’s strength growing within her and knew he was preparing her for what was ahead. Three hours later she texted, “The Lord is near.”
Hours after that, just after she and Bervin had heard the words “pancreatic cancer,” she texted this: “I’m sorry for how this will affect you and yours as I walk down the same road as Nate. I know this is hard all around, but amazingly I’ve been at peace all day.”
Those were the words of a woman who had been supernaturally prepared by God to stand strong even in the face of cancer. One of Mary’s last texts on that awful day, coming after the diagnosis and well after midnight, was, “God is good.”
How can someone who’s just been told she has cancer actually believe God is good? The only reasonable answer is that he had personally prepared her ahead of time by strengthening her faith in him. Though she may not have felt it while it was happening, it was. She has always trusted God to do what was best, so he readied her for Saturday’s events.
That’s not to say Mary’s “trouble” isn’t going to be hard. The enemy of faith, the devil, is going to do all he can to make her miserable and shake her trust in God, but I believe he’s going to be sorely disappointed. This faith-test is only going to polish her into brightly shining faith-gold.
“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8)
Thank you, Margaret . Thank you, Mary . Your examples are an inspiration for me. “on Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” may God continue to help you claim His promises. we are praying with you and for you and yours. Judi
Thank you for continuing to share testimony of perseverance in faith to the Lord through all circumstances. You have taught us so much. I love you both and continue to pray for your families.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Cor 1:3,4
Our love and prayers are with each of you. God’s peace is a gift when we choose to trust but does not always come when we don’t have to go through what we imagine we will. He is so wise and loving. Phil. 4:6&7 The Lord has been impacting me with for a couple of years!
Hi Mary and Berv, I am so grateful for Margaret’s blog. Our SCH classmates have been notified. Your testimony, Mary is incredible. My pastor remembered your visit in December and was saddened by the news. So I am sharing with all my friends, family and the folks at Covenant Village in Golden Valley. As you said God is Good. The first night after finding out, I couldn’t sleep very well. But God has given me rest, knowing you and Berv are resting in His arms. Praying. Love, KB
Thank you so much for sharing, Margaret. Our prayers are with you. Would not have known about my dear friend this early, if it hadn’t been for you. The Godly outlook that you two sisters have always had is an inspiration to me and many others. You are held in the best hands possible, never forget he He has a plan . Love you both.
Margaret, I wasso very sorry to hear about Mary; I KNOW what a blow this is to all of you. Although I’ve only met her twice, I feel so much a part of your lives; not only as a sister in the Lord, but human to human.
I have become so dependant on the Lord through ‘widowhood’, the first thing I always think about – at news like this – GO TO THE LORD IN PRAYER. HE IS OUR HEALER….HIS WORD IS TRUE AND HE ‘CARES’ FOR US!
So I will truly be holding all of you in my prayers….thanks for sharing this.
How beautiful to see the Holy Spirit rise up in Mary’s life and fill her with the grace and faith she needs at the time she needs it! Mary, you are a blessed vessel of the Lord and you inspire me every bit of time I spend with you dear friend. Reading this only reinforces the fact that the character of Messiah continually shines through you. You are and will continue to be in my prayers for the Lord’s grace and strength through this journey and ofcourse for His healing touch!
Just want you to know that we love you and are in prayer for you often each day.
Praying.
Your life of love and servant hood has always been an inspiration to me, probably more than any other Christian! As you face this trial I know that you will live in the way that you have encouraged others to do, looking up! I love you very much!!!
Praying so much for both Mary And Berv. Several here at Cov.Village in Northbrook are as well( Verna,Margene, Eileen P.Adele R.) and this will continue. God IS faithful and He will not change.
Dear Mary and Bervin
My heart goes out to you and your dear family!!
many prayers and much love to you.
God is your strength–that is apparent! Judy
Mary, Cancer is terrible, bad, bad, bad…………… and I am saddened you have pancreatic cancer. Ziltch friend Aletha had pancreatic cancer and Jan Rathbun ziltch friend and our classmate had cancer, both passed on to eternal life. Scott had prostatic CA passed to eternal life after 21 years with Parkinsons, my daughter Heidi had cancer from the base of her brain all the way down spinal collumn given 2 years to live (its now been 20 years post). I know you have a strong Faith as evidenced throughout the years that I have had the privilege of receiving your Christmas cards, pictures and letters. Your testimony now during this very difficult time is inspiring. I’m thankful for Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour who as we pray will give you all you need and your family during this time and time to come. Your family has always been an example to me of Faith, caring and love. God’s richest blessins to you and your family, Judith Schreiber your friend and nurse classmate 🙂
Dear, DEAR, Mary: I am so stunned by this news of your cancer. Part of me wants to weep, and part of me wants to be enraged; I am doing both. You of all the most godly people I know — to get cancer! But of course, I know deep down that you are in God’s hands, and that he is faithful in ways we just can’t understand.
I am praying for you and Bervin and your entire family — for grace and peace and wisdom and to somehow know the comfort of God’s arms around you all.
What wonderful news that your ticket has been postponed!!! Wish I was there to celebrate with you all. Let me know when and where! Great to hear your voice yesterday, dear friend. Love, KB
Mary, I seldom go on my e-mail, so I was pleased to hear from Karin Essen regarding your not-so pleasing diagnosis. I think back to our days at Swedish Cov and the friends of now 50 years who became and still are so precious to us. Your testimony is so strong and trusting in the Lord, and I know he is holding you in his arms. I believe in miracles, though we don’t always know in what form that miracle will come. Therefore, I will pray for a mighty miracle in your life and family. May God make his face to shine upon you and continue to give you peace. Love, Deanna