On Thursday, March 3rd, I was surprised to hear my dad say that the sore spot on his calf had been diagnosed as a blood clot....God was not surprised. Then on that following Sunday, when Dad called from Gwinnett Medical Center, to say he had been admitted overnight with multiple blood clots in his lungs, I was shocked....God however, was not surprised. Throughout the course of that week, test after test, doctor after doctor, we were blown away to hear that they had found cancer. Again, God was not surprised.
You see, everything in life, good or bad, certain or uncertain, is not in anyway a surprise to God. He knows our end from our beginning. He has seen everything before we even breathed our first life's breath! Nothing that happens in my life will ever make God say "wow, I didn't see that coming". Now, that does not mean I won't be surprised, or shaken, or even scared out of my shoes sometimes; but what it does mean, is that because God has ordained my being, I can take shelter in His almighty shadow, knowing that his angels are camped round about me. When we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, nothing in the Bible says life will be easy. What it does say, is that He gives us peace that passes understanding, wisdom beyond measure, new mercies daily, rest for the weary, grace that covers sin, abiding hope, constant comfort, love unconditional, and life everlasting! What amazing promises He has made to us; and He never fails. His word says He gives strength when we need it, and He will never leave us or forsake us. Who on earth can make such promises? Only God!
Sometimes, even as believers, the rains come, and we begin to feel as though the flood waters will wash over us and we will surely drown. As christians, this is where we "cowboy up" and trust that God has only the very best in store for us. It means trusting Him beyond our current circumstance, and believing we are in the palm of His hand. Even the scriptures speak of personal suffering. Matthew 5:45 says "for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust". Thus, no one is exempt from trouble. But, what scripture does promise us is this, Isaiah 43:1-2 "But now thus saith the Lord that created the, O Jacob, and he that formed thee O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." Wow! No matter what we face, the Lord himself is walking beside us, protecting us every step of the way! Thank you God for being so steadfast!
Everyday we are given, He has already been there! He goes before us and makes straight our path. For me, the assurance of His presence somedays, is overwhelming. I know that no matter what I face, I can hold to His outstretched, unchanging hand...and He will shield me. In this life, I too have been affected by struggles. There are days when I seek earnestly to understand His plan, but I continue to trust that He is able; He is faithful, and that His way, not mine, is perfect.
On this past Thursday, my dad, had a PET scan. The object of the scan, was to locate the origin of the cancer found in his lymph nodes, and to determine treatment options/regimens. Tonight, my heart is heavy. It is heavy for dad, for his health and his emotional well-being. It is also heavy for what is to come, the treatments, more sickness, and selfishly, for the unknown. As I sit and reflect on life, and my own mortality, I do realize a few important things about tomorrow. I know I cannot personally change or stop what will happen tomorrow in the oncologist's office. I also know that I, in my own power, cannot take this away from my dad. However, be assured that...whatever happens in that office, God has gone before us, and He will not be surprised or taken aback at what we hear. Instead, He will be in our midst, no matter what. Does your neighbor know of His goodness? Maybe they should.
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