When my friend Lynn and I were in high school, we took to the art of knitting with a passion. Whenever we were together, our needles were clicking on scarves, ear warmers, simple sweaters, mittens, baby clothes, and eventually ski sweaters with complicated patterns and multiple colors.
Within a few years, though, our zeal for knitting had shifted to college, then careers, husbands, homes, and children. It wasn’t until a decade later, when Nate and I were cleaning a crawl space, that I came across a giant box full of knitting stuff: needles, balls of yarn, pattern books, and partially knit items that were never completed. It surprised me how many I’d left undone.
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Back in the 1970’s there was a movement in Christian circles with this slogan: “Please be patient. God isn’t finished with me yet.” I had a button that read, PBP.GIFWMY, and a book came out by that name. Although the fad passed, the concept remained. I gave up on my knitting and many other things too, but how good to know God will never give up on us.
In thinking of Mary and her time-consuming recuperation from cancer surgery, she might be tempted to sink into discouragement. “My progress has really slowed, and I still have so much pain. And I don’t like dealing with this feeding tube, which I’ll have to manage for quite some time. And when will I get my energy back and be able to resume normal life again? I wish my body would hurry up and heal. I want this to be finished!”
But… GIFWMY: “God isn’t finished with Mary yet.” Actually, it’s true of all of us.
Well, all but one. Jesus did finish.
From his near-death suffering on the cross, John 19:28 tells us he knew the moment his work was done: “Jesus knew that his mission was now finished.” And shortly after that he let the world know it by announcing, “It is finished!” He had done what he came to do, opening a way for us to get to God. His resurrection became the phenomenal exclamation point at that finish line.
The rest of us will never be able to say we have nothing more to do until we’ve moved in with Jesus. Only then will our work be finished, our purpose accomplished. In the mean time, God wants to help us finish what we start, especially in terms of our most difficult challenges. And his desire is to keep us from discouragement along the way. In reference to Mary and her slow healing process? GIFWM*Y. Not by a long shot,
*Mary
“I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
Mary’s Prayer Requests:
- Praise for a partial solution to feeding tube pain
- Pray for continued improvement with remaining, deeper pain
- Praise for being released to go home today!
- Pray for strength and weight gain
- Pray for Tiff, who cleaned their hotel room for 15 days, a former crystal meth addict. They gave her a Bible.
Margaret, When I read your blogs – I pray. Your relationship to the Lord is an inspiration to me. Judi was with us for a “getting together with family” last Saturday. June
What wonderful news to know that Mary and Bervin can head home. Recovery is still in process, but being home brings special comforts we forget until we are away–especially in the medical world. Continued prayers for healing, comfort, rest, and weight gain!
I praise God that Mary and Bervin can return to their own home.
And how wonderful that God orchestrated Tiff to be the one who cleaned their room, and receive the Bible, and prayer from many others, through this blog!
So encouraging to read that M&B can go home – where routine and familiarity can soften the ongoing healing. And, I remember you and Lynn, sitting on top of the electrical box (?) at the crosswalk between the boys and girls cabins at MYC, one needle tucked under each of your arms, and the other one flying! You encouraged me, just by watching you, to pick up needles and learn myself – and I’m still at it! Thank you for the good news, the good memories, and you!
I have been away from my computer for more than a week because of time spent with family in AZ, but Mary has been in my daily prayers. I am pleased to hear she is going back to familiar surroundings, a good step forward. Progress is being made. Praise God!!!
So glad to hear that Mary is able return to the familiarity of home and get some rest. How inspiring to hear of someone like Tiff whose life was turned around by God and now has such a wonderful purpose to help others.
Thanks for that word. That’s what encourages me – God continues to work with me. I pray for Mary. They are fellows that gave the Bible to Tiff. I also make a witnes about Christ to doctors, nurses and patients in the hospital.