For a wedding gift almost eighteen years ago, my grandma gave me my great grandma’s china. The only stipulation-I had to use it. That seemed like such a simple request. But in this paper plate society we live in, it tends to spend more time tucked carefully into a cupboard than it does on my table.
Don’t get me wrong. I love it. It’s beautiful. I cherish it. Or do I?
I’ve been reading the book, None Like Him by Jen Wilkin. She talks a little about her own cancer experience.
“Once you hear a cancer diagnosis, you can’t unhear it. Even with successful treatment, it changes the way you number your days.....my eternal Father taught me young to pursue the sacred calling to “live this life well”.
When we cherish something, we tend to want to protect it. Much like my china, we are so afraid that it might get broken or damaged, we don’t use it for its intended purpose. So, there it sits, collecting dust, waiting the moment that we pull it off the shelf and place it on the dinner table.
We often treat life like that. We talk of cherishing our family, our kids, our spouses. Reading our bible, going to church, sharing the gospel. But are we cherishing them like we do my dusty china? Do we have the thought of someday? Someday, when life slows down or we’re caught up on bills or when the kids are older, when I know my Bible better, then...Or are we living each day with the thought that, “Tomorrow, if God wills?”
That statement doesn’t bring fear, nor should it for a Christian. I’m confident of my eternal future. What it should do is motivate us. It should make us want to ditch those things that are keeping us from grasping hold of today and making the most of it. Things that draw our focus away from God, our spouse, and our kids.
I have no fear of death. Salvation has a way of doing that. That doesn’t mean that when I first heard cancer that my thoughts didn’t immediately go to my kiddos. But those thoughts repurposed me. They made me not only think, I need to beat this, but like trials should, they draw you closer to God. You realize how human we are and how much God is God.
Yes, he provided knowledgeable and caring doctors and nurses. He’s provided the technology that helped make treatment better than even 5 years ago. But It’s not me. And as much as I think positive words and thoughts are a good thing. That is not what determines my fate. God does. Life and death are in His hands. Isn’t it time to get that old china out and use it?
***UPDATE***
Things are going well! I am down to one more chemo day and 7 more radiation days. As long as we have no more bumps, Friday, May 4th will be my final day of treatment!!!
The following week, I will see my surgeon. And sometime between now and then, I will also have another MRI or CT scan just to make sure there are no surprises.
All in all, I’m doing great. Fatigue and weakness are really my only side effects. That does make it challenging especially with the dogs and the 3-year-old. But it could be so much worse. I’m praising God daily for answering those prayers.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY
•For a good report and follow-up
•For quick healing. I love spring and all the activity it brings. (Ha! I’m a poet) But, at this point, I’m still not strong enough to even manage a little walk much less yard work and hikes.
•For my new friend Judy. Pray that she stays receptive to our “bible talks”.