It’s said, “It’s the little things that count.” Last Thursday we
sat in the doctor’s office once again awaiting results of the PET scan taken a
couple days earlier. For those taking notes, a PET scan is positron emission tomography, which is
a nuclear medicine imaging technique that produces a three-dimensional image or
picture of functional processes in the body. How do they do that?
Seriously: by injecting us with radioactive glucose, letting it course through
the veins for forty-five minutes, and then sending us through the tube for some
pictures. Wherever the glucose lights up is “hot” for possible cancer. I’ve had
a few not so good PET scan results over the last 2 years, but this last one
held good news for me. Though the cancer isn’t gone, it’s stable, which means
two small nodes are getting microscopically smaller and there isn’t any cancer
moving about in the body to cause trouble elsewhere. Most thrilling was the
special answered prayer connected to this message.
My son is getting
married at the end of December. My husband and I so hoped and prayed the doctor
would think it might be time for a break from chemo so I could be healthier to
enjoy this upcoming blessed event, particularly since the wedding will take place
in cold Wisconsin climes. Brrr! When the doc brought up only 2 more cycles of
chemo, then taking a break for most of November and December we were so happy.
I hope to get stronger – get back to going for walks! To be sure, my friends;
it’s those little things that are much appreciated during a trial like this so
don’t take your health for granted – ever. As a believer in the resurrection of
Jesus Christ, I do want to be about the Lord’s business, especially since every
breath I take with just one lung comes from Him.
Some may say because I
am a Christian I shouldn’t be sick or if I had enough faith the Lord would take
cancer away. I say, the Lord allowed cancer to visit me at just the right time
for many practical reasons having to do with treatment and support I’ve
received. Even more so I pray He has used my infirmity to reach many more
people for Him than I could've ever done without cancer. A couple of examples
from Scripture come to mind. Joseph is really noted for beauty far exceeding a
song about his multi-colored coat. His brothers sold him to slave traders when
he was a teen and he spent many years in prison before finally being released
and revealed as the “prince of Egypt.” Joseph’s time of confinement was spent
learning the Lord and ministering for Him to Pharaoh’s servants. When finally
released, he was prepared for the biggest job of his earthly life – feeding a
multitude of people during a famine, including the brothers that betrayed him!
(Genesis 37-50).
The Apostle Paul did
amazing work for the Lord, planting churches all over the region, healing the
sick, raising the dead and suffering terrible persecutions for the name of
Christ. Since he did such amazing things for God one might ask why did he have
to suffer at all. Why didn’t the Lord just give him smooth sailing? 2 Corinthians 12 verse 7 tells us
Paul also had a thorn in his flesh, something physical the Lord allowed in his
life to keep him from becoming self-exalted or conceited. He prayed just like
I’ve prayed for the Lord to take it away. It would be silly not to pray for
that. Instead of focusing on the calamities Paul says he boasted in them,
saying when he is weak Christ is strong. Now, the Lord knows I am no super
saint, but the question remains – how will I respond to my infirmities? The
cancer isn’t gone. The thorn remains, but God is still good and my son is
getting married!
Come December 29, 2012 I
will be feasting at Jake’s wedding banquet, enjoying fellowship with others who
love him and share his joy in joining his life with his bride. As special as
that day will be, as much as I look forward to seeing this happy event come to
pass, I am even more eager to go to the wedding feast in Heaven that awaits
those who have surrendered their earthly lives to the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.(Revelation 19:7-10) The Scriptures
make it clear that only those who have trusted Jesus Christ while alive will
enter Heaven so please make sure you’ve got that straight today. ("Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting
life." John 3:16)
One closing thought:
Perhaps big trials on earth are preparation for big jobs in the life to come.
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