Category Archives: God’s character

A Better Day

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No life is without its sudden surprises, and all of us have had shocking news at one time or another. I vividly remember the moment Nate and I were told of the mass on his liver, which ultimately turned out to be pancreatic cancer.

On Tuesday of this week, Mary and her family received one of those knock-down punches when they learned that her cancer, held at bay for 8 months, had suddenly returned. It was an awful day, most of which was spent in clinical waiting rooms, testing areas, and doctor’s offices. But even after heading home, their misery continued, since they had to deliver the bad news to each of their 7 grown children.

Wednesday, however, was a better day.

The human heart wants to lean into hope, and Mary and Bervin have an abundance of it, since it’s always rooted in Jesus Christ. Tonight Mary said, “I’m feeling good right now, and sometimes I completely forget I have cancer. Then someone will say something about life after death, or I’ll get a thought about the fleeting nature of time, and I remember. I guess it takes a while for the full truth to set in.”

She continued. “Sometimes, when I’m thinking about my limited future, I wonder about the disease itself and what will happen when it takes over. But as soon as doubts and fears creep in, I go back to what I’m sure of: God’s promises. At that point I need to re-claim them, and may have to do it again and again.”

Mary says that when her thoughts get shaky, she asks herself a simple question. “What does the Bible say?” Then she reminds herself that if it’s in God’s Word, she believes it.

Feeling fineFor example, when the Lord says he’ll never leave her no matter what, she can depend on that. When it says his grace will be sufficient to her every need, she can stop being nervous about how bad it might get. When it says God is her sustainer, she knows he’ll carry her through anything that comes.

As she puts it, “I want to base my outlook on the facts, not the other way around.”

And the fact is, today was another very good day.

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. Please pray that my situation would not cause anyone to have a heavy heart.
  2. Praise for a wonderful family that is surrounding me with love and care.

Holding on Tight

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Today I drove 26 miles to the nearest shopping mall to run several errands. On the way home (about an hour later than I’d anticipated), God had something to say.

I was rounding a gentle curve on a busy expressway when a flash of color filled my rear view mirror: a spectacular sunset-in-progress. Brilliant orange slashed with aqua and gold made me look as long (and as often) as I dared while moving at 75 mph.

As I drove, the dramatic colors widened in all directions, lighting up half the sky, and I craned my neck to see the show for real rather than just in the mirror. But road-swerve persuaded me to try for a phone picture instead.

Putting the driver’s window down, I held out my phone, pointing behind me, but other than blurred pictures of other cars and trucks, I got nothing.

The sunset continued to develop, and I grew sad thinking it might fade before I could get a good look. I picked up speed, racing for home and the beach where a wide-angle view would make for great photos. Just as I arrived, though, the light show abruptly ended and the sky went grey. I was crushed.

That’s when God spoke. “Margaret, how could you feel crushed after the extravagant gift I just gave you? I arranged for you to spend precisely enough time in the stores to end up on the road exactly in time to see that amazing sunset, so why are you whining?”

My response was, “Because I didn’t get to see it fully, the way I wanted to, or take pictures to study later. Why couldn’t it have lasted a little longer?”

None of this impressed God, and what he said next was difficult to hear.

Mary“That sunset you were trying to hold onto isn’t the only impossible thing you’re trying to do. The other has to do with your sister Mary. Tomorrow she gets her first scan since chemo ended, a scan that’s going to hunt for cancer. Your hope for good results is rooted in a desire to hold onto her, but you can’t do that any more than you could hold that sunset.

“Every sunset belongs to Me, and Mary belongs to Me, too. Whether she gets good or bad news tomorrow, your response should be to confidently trust Me and My decisions about her life. Please remember that I’m holding onto her in a way you never could, so take courage from knowing that.”

But letting go of a sunset is one thing; letting go of Mary is something else entirely.

“Lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge him…” Proverbs 3:5-6

Praying with Mary

Tomorrow, the 11th, is my post-chemo scan. Please pray for peace of mind and for complete acceptance of God’s perfect plan, both in my body and in my heart.