United Church of Pittsford

“I’m back! With God’s healing and mercy, I’m back!” And thanks to family and friends (God’s angels on earth), I have been blessed over and over by your words, prayers, cards, visits and “ meals on wheels”. Thank you all.

God really does take care of us-far beyond our expectations. In real estate we ask our homebuyers two important questions. First, “what are the ‘must have’ features of your new home? And second, “what are the ‘would be nice to also have’ features? Well, God took care of my ‘must haves’ by getting rid of my cancer, with no follow-up radiation or chemo needed. He also took care of some of the ‘would be nice to haves’. But after three surgeries, we’re still working on those. So I will have another surgery sometime this spring.

During the last month as well as the past three years, I’ve faced some real life challenges, as many of you know. And many times, just as I think I’m ‘good to go’, I’ve had to change my plans. Over Christmas, another one of God’s angels on earth came on the scene and gave me a daily devotional book. Each day I put the date at the top of the page and read the inspirational reading of that day. The day that I learned that I would probably need a third surgery, this is what I read:

I’ve had a change of plans. Is there anyone who has never spoken those
words or had them spoken to them? Human life is all about change-but God
offers beautiful security in His never-changing plans. Like what? How about
Jesus’ plans on heaven: “After I go and make a place for you, I will come back
and take you with Me. Then you may be where I am”(John 14:3).

God, sometimes life is so messy. All I want to do is throw up my hands in
frustration. But that is not of You, Lord. Help me to rest in Your presence and
gain Your strength to meet the challenges of this day.

And as my hospital stay kept getting extended and I was wondering if the needles and tubes would become permanently attached, I read:

Ever been asked what makes you seem so different? Why you’re able to get
through tough times without breaking? Share the good news that Christ has
blessed you and that He makes it possible to have joy in all stages of life-even
the not-so-good times. When you serve the Lord, your light will shine (Matthew
5:16), and His delight will bring abundant blessings to you-so much that others will
take notice.

Lord, although I am tired, You will give me all the strength I need to meet the
challenges of the day. Your word sustains me when I am weary. You awaken me
morning by morning.

The prayer that I prayed that day was this:

“Praise God for your blessing and using me as a reflection of Your love and
strength in my life. May I be a faithful vessel to show the joy and sunshine
(even on dark days) of Your love to others.”