After 5 months of a chronic cough, I am finally having some relief and hopefully on a road to recovery.  On my second good day the dr. called to let me know that the lungs looked good from the CT scan, but the lymph nodes in my chest were enlarged.  He ordered more testing to find out how many were enlarged.  They could be benign or it could be an indication of something more serious.

As I thought on these things, and quickly researched it, I was not surprised to know that cancer can cause the lymph nodes in the chest to be enlarged.  I took a short walk outside to pray and the Lord brought to my mind this song…

When my life work is ended, and I cross the swelling tide,
When the bright and glorious morning I shall see;
I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side,
And His smile will be the first to welcome me.

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand

More testing – more examinations!  The doctor cannot give a good diagnosis without more examinations.  Just as he ordered more testing, I thought this is a good time for me to follow Paul’s admonition to us all to “examine ourselves.”  How is my walk with God?  How is my relationship with Jodie? My children? My church staff?  My church family?  My mind also quickly raced to all of the family events that I would miss if I were to have a terminal illness.  James wrote, “For what is your life?  It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”  Every day is a gift and God does not “owe us” one more day!

Given enough time, we will all die and none of us know the day.  Whether I have impending bad news or not, each day is a gift from God and should be lived to its fullest for Jesus Christ and others.  I am asking God to purify my heart from sin, love Him more, impact my family, church family, and community in a greater way for Jesus Christ.  We all live on borrowed time.  Now is the time to give our best in serving our Savior.

While visiting my parents in Virginia, 20 years ago this summer I received another call from a doctor who said, “I don’t like to give this news over the phone, but your wife has cancer.  You need to come home right away.”  16 months later that cancer took her life.  God has been good to me these last 20 years.  He has been good to me my whole life.  He has been with me through every trial.  He has brought good out of every trial.  He has never failed me.  I, unfortunately, have often become so busy in the work and have not taken enough time to tell Him how grateful I am for every blessing, every gift, and every joy I have ever received.  I recognize that every good and every perfect gift is from above – from my Heavenly Father.

Waiting is simply another way God teaches us to trust Him.  I am choosing to wait patiently with a heart of trust that:  God makes no mistakes!  He loves me with a perfect love!  And He has all the power to fulfill His perfect plan.  This is what He promised.  This is what He gives us!

This is what I know about God…

No Mistakes!

Perfect Love!

All Power!

That is all we need from God!!!!