Category Archives: Obedience

In the Valley

Posted on by

It’s been a long 6 months for my sister Mary. When a doctor announces to a patient that she has cancer, particularly an aggressive one like pancreatic, her thoughts begin to spin fast while life abruptly slows down. It’s just one of the many oxymorons attached to this horrible disease, and Mary has had her share.

???????????????????????????????Though she’s had a variety of valid reasons to complain, she hasn’t. And though it would have been easy to melt into self-pity, she hasn’t done that either. Instead she’s been a walking, talking example of a woman who has brought pleasure to God by doing exactly what his Word instructs: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thess. 5:16-18)

God said, “That’s my will for you, Mary, especially now.” And she heard… and obeyed.

Actually, that’s his will for all of us, regardless of circumstances, and it’s a good idea if every so often we rate ourselves according to God’s directions. When I asked Mary if she’d like to say something special on tonight’s blog, she jumped right to his 3rd instruction above. She gave thanks.

“Thank the blog readers for their prayers. God has been incredibly faithful to answer them, and it’s such a comfort and encouragement to know I’m not in this battle alone. God is an ever-present help in trouble and holds me by the hand as I walk through this valley of death.

“I feel like I’m being cheered on by friends, family, and your wonderful blog readers who I’ve never met. They’re cheering me on just like that cloud of witnesses we read about in Hebrews.”

Mary has one more chemo infusion to go, after weathering 17 of them. And because she has remained within the confines of God’s will throughout her struggle, her feet have not slipped from his firm place to stand.

Her concluding word tonight was, “To have the kind of support and encouragement I’ve had all along is truly amazing! I am humbled, and so blessed.”

Maybe this could be the way God works all things together for good. Pancreatic cancer? The misery of chemo? Weight loss, nausea, fatigue, fuzzy vision? Mary is still in the “valley,” but her summary statement tonight is, “I am so blessed.”

We can all take a lesson.

I waited patiently for the Lord…. He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:1-2

It’s what it is.

Posted on by

My granddaughter Emerald is almost two years old and is, like most little ones her age, learning to talk. This is an especially delightful time as those of us listening can tell her little mind is working hard to communicate. One of Emerald’s charming inclinations is to substitute “sh” for “s” :

  • Happy times.balls are “ball-sh”
  • boots are “boo-sh”
  • salt is “shawlt”
  • more is “mo-sh”
  • boogers (she just had a cold) are “booger-sh”

She also practices language by trying to repeat what we say, so she says, “I hep you!” but really means, “I need your help!”

Little by little a toddler adds to her vocabulary and usage by listening to those around her and matching up words with tone of voice, simultaneous action, verbal pitch, and even accompanying moods. Little ones are keen observers of the world around them, and they all have a passionate desire to “be like us.”

ThomasA couple of weeks ago our son Hans and his family visited from England. His wife and four young children all have beautiful British accents, and I watched Emerald watching them. Four-year-old Thomas loved approaching her, bending to her level, cupping his hands around her face and saying, “Hello!” With his sweet accent it came out, “Heh-lau.” Within one day, Emerald was approaching others saying, “Heh-lau” in a perfect mimic.

I remember belonging to a diet group 20 years ago when one of the ladies asked to speak to the group. With tears she told the tale of her three-year-old’s penchant for swearing, listing the “blue” words he liberally used in their home, coupled with lots of anger. “I just can’t stop him!” she wailed. “It’s awful!”

Of course he wasn’t using any words he hadn’t first heard, and that woman’s best move would have been to find out (and hopefully change) what her son was hearing.

All of us take on the characteristics of whomever we hang with, not just linguistically but in other respects, too. That makes choosing a spouse, for example, a heavy-weight decision, and it’s the reason most parents safeguard their children with diligence. Most of all, though, we should each set a guard in front of ourselves.

All of us should want to be careful how we act, what we say, and where we go, because like it or not, we’re being watched. Most importantly, God is watching. So if we consistently work to make choices that please him, he will pour out blessing in abundance, on us and on those watching. And that includes little children who want to “be just like us.”

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. Thanks for praying about my second-to-last chemo tomorrow. Pray they’ll find a good vein without a problem. (My arms are rebelling.)
  2. Pray against flu-like symptoms (fever and achiness) that started after last week’s infusion.

When Charity Comes Knocking

Posted on by

ConnieMy friend Connie and I have been friends for sixty-plus years, having grown up together at Moody Church, and among her many talents is being a fabulous cook. Since I’m not a very good one, I’ve always appreciated her abilities in the kitchen and have gobbled up many a meal from her hands.

But one particular incident will always come to mind when I think of Connie. It involved food but no cooking, and it happened 20 years ago. On a frosty morning in 1994, she stepped through my kitchen door carrying two overloaded grocery bags.

Wiping the dishwater from my hands, I said, “What’s all this?”

“Never mind,” she said. “I’ll be right back.”

I followed her outside, oblivious to the winter winds, questioning her as I went. “What’s going on?” But I stopped short when I saw eight more big brown bags lined up in her car.

“The Lord told me to do something,” she said, “and I’m just doing what I’ve been told. You’re getting your kitchen stocked.”

“Oh no,” I said. “You can’t do that!”

But she deflected my objections. “Don’t get in the way of a blessing.”

Our family had been struggling financially for several years, and for me as a stay-at-home mom of seven, panic was never far away. This day a couple of my cabinet shelves were completely empty, shelves that once couldn’t hold their bounty.

“What do you mean,” I said, “by the Lord telling you what to do?”

“In Bible study this week one verse mentioned helping those in need. I knew it was God’s message for me to help you. So don’t object. I’ve gone over your head and gotten special permission.”

GroceriesMy eyes filled and I threw my arms around this true friend. I hadn’t told her of my rising fear over the near-empty refrigerator or mentioned that our dinners had boiled down to a choice between pancakes and soup. Yet God had, through his Word, given Connie specific instructions. Best of all, she’d obeyed. Knowing her family was also on a strict budget, I appreciated her gifts even more.

It’s difficult to accept charity. Giving is much easier than receiving. As I stood in my replenished kitchen that afternoon feeling guilty for accepting Connie’s groceries, God reminded me that charity is just another word for love. Connie had demonstrated godly love, which humbled me and simultaneously lifted my sagging spirit.

Later that same day my four year old (who had witnessed the food delivery) made a wise assessment of what had happened. “Your friend sure shares good, Mom.”

I had to agree.

“Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.” (Hebrews 13:16)