Mary has learned, as many of us have, that a health crisis can be the best of teachers. In her case, the instructor’s name is “CANCER” and the lesson plan is “WISDOM”.
Tonight Mary and I shared a rich conversation on the phone. As always, I had pen and paper handy, ready to write down her prayer requests for tonight’s blog. But by the time we said goodbye, I’d taken two pages of notes. Her insights (below) poured forth without stopping, complete with appropriate Scriptures to back them up. I wish I’d had a recorder!
Here’s some of what she said:
- Doctors work with statistics, and God works with hearts.
- Good endings can come from bad beginnings.
- Irregular days cause us to value regular ones.
- Taking one day at a time isn’t just a cliché but a good philosophy.
- When God doesn’t withdraw a crisis, he partners with us through it.
- Future plans must be held loosely.
- Hospitals and doctor’s offices are great places to plant seeds of hope in hopeless people.
- No matter how serious the crisis, there’s always something to praise God for.
She revealed her new heart as she talked about #6 above, describing her changed point of view. “I used to think if I wrote something on my calendar, it was a definite. Whatever it said, would get done. Once cancer hit, I had to back away from all kinds of obligations I had been sure I was going to keep.”
She went on. “Now when I write something on the calendar, I can’t be sure it’ll happen. It’s all up to God. If I can meet my commitments, it will be because he willed it that way. If I can’t, it’s also because he willed it. It’s all up to him.”
We talked about the Scripture passage in James that says something like this: “Don’t say, ‘Today or tomorrow we’ll go here or there’ when you don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Instead you should say, ‘If it’s the Lord’s will, we’ll do this or that’.” (4:13-15)
She explained how she “gets that” now in a way she never had before and wants to hold everything loosely in the future. Applying it to her choice of hospital and chemotherapy team, any of the 3 would have been fine, she said, because wherever she landed, God would still be in charge. “So the choice was really between good, good, and good.”
She and Bervin chose the University of Chicago Hospital, and whatever is accomplished there will be because God accomplishes it through the chemo team. Such thinking lifts what could have been a heavy burden before going into treatment, which will begin on May 12, and last for 6 months.
I loved being in Mary’s cancer-classroom tonight, listening to all she’s learned. And as incongruous as it may seem, because of her cancer, she’s better than ever.
“The things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Praising and Praying with Mary
- Praise for the chemo decision having been made
- Praise for a “regular” day, participating at the Mom-to-Mom Ministry at church
- Pray that God will guard my heart when I can’t sleep and fears try to creep back in
Mary .We sure will continue praying for you . We always pray Gods will be done, Because He, s the only one who can change our pathway to where He wants it to go. But also ,l know you know, that wherever it is He takes you that He will be right there beside you.He will guide you day by day. We love you and wish Gods richest blessings on you at this time. Love Wally & Barb Fuja
The University of Chicago Hospital, as I remember, is around 53rd St and the Lake; Hyde Park Area. This is the area where I grew up, back in the 40’s and 50’s. I believe you chose well. You are prayed for, by many people at my very large church. Everything is going to turn out just fine !!!
The journey that God takes us on seems to help us understand God’s word in ways that we never saw before. May we hold his promises close to our heart and know that He is with us each step of the way. I continue to pray for Mary as she starts her chemotherapy treatment.
I love the lessons you are sharing with us. They are the same ones I am learning as my mom passes slowly from this life to the next. Only God knows our future. Trust Him. We cant understand His ways or understand His thoughts but we can make the choice to trust Him and have extreme peace that the decisions are the right ones.
Praying especially for sweet rest for you!
Whenever my parents spoke of commitments or future
events, they always referred to that passage in James 4 and
remarked “the Lord willing.” What a great reminder,Mary,
that the Lord holds our future and is with us each step of
the way. I will continue to pray for you, dearest Mary.
I will be passing along your lessons learned, Mary.
They can apply to any situation or set of circumstances.
Thank you, Mary. And God bless you and your loved ones on your journey.
Mary and Berv Wally & I are going to be at Moody church tomorrow for the choir rehearsal and l will be singing in the choir. .Anyway l was talking to Marge tonight and she said she thought you might be there tomorrow. If so we would love to see you guys only for a moment if possible .Would love to give you a big hug. Did not have your new phone # and neither did Marge ,so if you get this email, please call me on my cell phone and tell me if you will be there or not. l have to be there at 8:15 am for rehearsal.Lov ya Barb & Wally too 630-290-9569
The picture of Mary is priceless – because it is her, and she is smiling, and because, at first glance, I saw your mom, my dear, sweet “Aunt Pat” – who shared so much wisdom with me through her teaching and her life. And both you and Mary continue that gift. I praise the Father for your blessing to me.