A Lesson Worth Repeating
God has allowed me to go through some hard experiences in life. I dealt with 2 cases of breast cancer as well as my father's decline and death from Alzheimers. If you have not suffered just wait. Suffering is eventually a part of every person's life. After my first bout with cancer I was determined to learn whatever God wanted me to learn from this. I was drawn to the words of the Puritan Thomas Watson. He said that our good and God's glory are found in the same direction. It was much easier to see how God was glorified through my cancer than it was to see how it was for my good. The many brothers and sisters in Christ who took the time to pray, write me an encouraging note, cook a meal, provide a ride to radiation treatments brought glory to God as they demonstrated the unity in the body of Christ.
As the years passed and I went through my second breast cancer and radical surgery, I became more certain of the importance of the attributes of God. They are important not just as marvelous statements of theological truth but also as a life line to cling to as we each go through the ups and downs of life. God is just as much with us when we can't pay a bill or lose a loved one as He is with us when we get an unexpected bonus or delight in a beautiful sunset. If I am always looking at myself and not God all I see is my weakness and my sin, my inconsistent behavior, my myriads of idols. If I focus on God what I see is a father that uses all things for good for those whom He has called. I see a God who is loving, all knowing, and ever present. I should not draw conclusions about anything in my life without seeking to understand how He is present in all things. Ah, Thomas Watson would say this is at least part of the good that came from my bouts with cancer. Unfortunately this lesson does not not always stay at the forefront of my thinking.
Recently my mother died. My sister Patti, a nurse had been living with Mom. Although my mother at 95 was mentally sharp a few small strokes had occurred. We were saddened but not surprised when she had a major stroke. On the day that it happened she told Patti that she had just seen my grandmother. Grandmom had died at 94. Mother had been the only remaining child and she oversaw my grandmother's welfare until the end.
I was skeptical about what she said. I had heard about diminished blood flow to the brain affecting how the patient perceives things. I then wondered if God opens the door to Heaven a little to encourage His people who are nearing death. I knew I had to put this unknown aside because it would always remain an unknown. No matter what, my mind would drift back to what my sister said. I did not want the answer to be based on scientific fact. God giving my mother a preview of heaven seemed like a much more satisfying answer but my skepticism would not allow me to settle for that.
When I told my daughter Jessica about my conversation with Patti and the two theories about what might have really been happening, she gave me a simple answer. Jessica asked me " Does it make a difference? No matter the cause God was there in either case kindly comforting her as she neared death."
I heard the wisdom in her words and relief flooded through me. My comfort did not come from figuring out the right answer. My comfort came from focusing on God's loving kindness, omnipotence, and sovereignty. Yes, this is an old lesson but one I should never tire of hearing. What better way to experience good from God then making a more complete understanding of Him central to my life and in the process glorifying the only one worthy of glory.
As the years passed and I went through my second breast cancer and radical surgery, I became more certain of the importance of the attributes of God. They are important not just as marvelous statements of theological truth but also as a life line to cling to as we each go through the ups and downs of life. God is just as much with us when we can't pay a bill or lose a loved one as He is with us when we get an unexpected bonus or delight in a beautiful sunset. If I am always looking at myself and not God all I see is my weakness and my sin, my inconsistent behavior, my myriads of idols. If I focus on God what I see is a father that uses all things for good for those whom He has called. I see a God who is loving, all knowing, and ever present. I should not draw conclusions about anything in my life without seeking to understand how He is present in all things. Ah, Thomas Watson would say this is at least part of the good that came from my bouts with cancer. Unfortunately this lesson does not not always stay at the forefront of my thinking.
Recently my mother died. My sister Patti, a nurse had been living with Mom. Although my mother at 95 was mentally sharp a few small strokes had occurred. We were saddened but not surprised when she had a major stroke. On the day that it happened she told Patti that she had just seen my grandmother. Grandmom had died at 94. Mother had been the only remaining child and she oversaw my grandmother's welfare until the end.
I was skeptical about what she said. I had heard about diminished blood flow to the brain affecting how the patient perceives things. I then wondered if God opens the door to Heaven a little to encourage His people who are nearing death. I knew I had to put this unknown aside because it would always remain an unknown. No matter what, my mind would drift back to what my sister said. I did not want the answer to be based on scientific fact. God giving my mother a preview of heaven seemed like a much more satisfying answer but my skepticism would not allow me to settle for that.
When I told my daughter Jessica about my conversation with Patti and the two theories about what might have really been happening, she gave me a simple answer. Jessica asked me " Does it make a difference? No matter the cause God was there in either case kindly comforting her as she neared death."
I heard the wisdom in her words and relief flooded through me. My comfort did not come from figuring out the right answer. My comfort came from focusing on God's loving kindness, omnipotence, and sovereignty. Yes, this is an old lesson but one I should never tire of hearing. What better way to experience good from God then making a more complete understanding of Him central to my life and in the process glorifying the only one worthy of glory.
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