Most of us deal daily with pockets of excess built into our lives, areas we keep trying to temper with moderation but that continually plague us. One of the most common is overeating, which is the one that plagued me for many years. Actually it was decades. Never once was I told, “You really should eat more.” Such an assignment would have been a dream come true.
Conversely, my sister Mary has always been on the lean side. It wasn’t because she didn’t work to be that way, since she’s always been careful to control her diet. She has focused on eating the right things and limiting the wrong ones, faithfully refusing to eat in excess. Today, however, she finds herself in a new eating reality.
In recent weeks her cancer has carved her thin frame by about 12 pounds, and doctors have said, “OK. It’s time to bulk up.” She has two weeks till her Whipple surgery, and in that time her orders are to eat high-cal, no holds barred.
Though most of us would be thrilled with that directive, this time it falls flat. That’s because of the reason: her surgery will tax her system, and she needs to be fortified ahead of time as thoroughly as possible. Although the instruction to “eat as much as you can” would have been welcome months ago, now it doesn’t have much appeal.
But Mary’s doctors aren’t the only ones involved in her preparation. God has his own plans for getting her ready. While she’s doing her best to follow doctor’s orders in the food department, God is focusing on “bulking her up” in the hidden places no surgeon’s scalpel could ever touch: her mind, soul, and heart.
He’s doing that in myriad ways: through timely emails, through her children’s thoughtfulness, through mountains of prayer, through well-timed worship music, through people’s testimonies of life-saving surgeries, through Scripture verses coming at just the right times, through pictures and words from grandchildren, through her own moods, and lots more.
Though none of these could be labeled miraculous, the timing of how they’re coming to Mary is a wonder indeed. And that’s where God has shown himself, again and again: in the timing. Each “happenstance” sends the same message from him to Mary: “I’m right here.”
Only Mary knows how many of these well-timed gifts he’s given her and how frequently he’s rescued her. Much of it will remain secret between just the two of them. They are treasures the Lord has carefully saved to strengthen her exactly now, as she moves through these troubled times.
So, as Mary munches on a handful of caramel corn made by her daughter-in-law Emily, she’s working at bulking up her body. But she knows her greatest gains will not be on a scale but in the hidden “bulking up” that God is doing inside the rest of her.
“Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.” (Psalm 119:18)
Dear Margaret,
I have enjoyed reading your blog it has been so inspiring. My husband and I were both born and raised in Chicago and moved to Michigan in 1988. We are praying for your sister Mary. You have been such a encouragement through your writing. Praying for you and your family.
Chery
Thank you for all your positive posts Margaret. I’m praying for you all-especially Mary
So glad to hear that Mary’s doctors will be doing surgery soon. I hope that she continues to eat those healthy foods that she did in the past only more of them.
Oh Margaret, we continue to lift Mary up in prayer and to marvel at the awesome power of our Heavenly Father! If Mary’s appetite is up for it, ask her to add a bottle of Ensure to her meals (or between meals) and ice cream (if she can do dairy). They do a good job of adding calories while also being fairly nutrient dense. If she likes oatmeal she can make it with whole milk instead of water, avocados are also higher in calories and healthy fats and can even be mixed into a lot of dishes as part of a creamy sauce. Various nut butters (almond, hazelnut, etc.) are both calorie and nutrient rich. I’ll be praying for God to strengthen her and to “bulk up” her body in preparation for her surgery. God bless!
It’s a delight to see Mary looking so radiant in her picture with the Twizzlers. Thank You, God
Whey protein shakes with banana and whole milk are good also.
Thanks, Margaret, for continuing to keep us all updated and to give us specific prayer requests.
Continuing to lift this up in prayer.
Love,
Terry
I loved the ‘twizzlers’ photo….but have to agree with Aron and Terry; whole foods, fresh veggies & fruit made into shakes each day, is delicious, easy, quick and portable too! Even if you don’t have a juicer, a good blender with a ‘LIQUIFY’ BUTTON will do the trick. Add a little milk, or water, juice, and may add nuts, cooked pasta and even, cooked oatmeal. Combine foods to suit your taste. These get into your system quicker, good for digestive system, totally healthy and proven to give more energy…..even help CURE diseases (including cancer). Google online for recipes and info…..several sites out there. Praying for her wisdom, and healing.!!
Mary – when I went through chemo and radiation tx, the Dr. told me he didn’t want me losing any weight, so I drank a lot of high protein Boost. The chocolate flavor is good especially when cold. Other smoothies with protein powder are good too. You are in my prayers many times a day. Your sister is a wonderful writer. With love, Ruth Halverstadt