This week I cooked a traditional dinner, a “three-pile-meal” as we used to call them when the kids were growing up: meat, veggie, and starch. I haven’t done much three-pile cooking since Nate died, but I go back to it when others join me at the table.
This time, however, when I made such a meal, I did a little gambling. I had promised to make “cheesy potatoes,” Betty Crocker’s version of homemade scallops, which comes in a box. Since her products are laced with preservatives, I figured the expiration date didn’t really matter.
After dinner I said, “So… how were the potatoes?”
“Great!” said Nelson.
“Tasted fine,” said Birgitta.
“Especially good!” said Louisa.
“I’m glad,” I said, “because they were nearly 3 years expired.”
* * * * *
Processed food isn’t the only thing that expires. Eventually we all do. The dictionary defines “expire” as: to die out, to come to an end. When we use the word in reference to a human being, we mean they’ve died. A life has ended.
But God doesn’t see it that way and doesn’t want us to, either. Death is simply a life-shift to a new dimension and a new way of living. This is the reason Christians don’t fear dying. They believe earthly death is merely the route that moves them from one neighborhood to another, and it’s an upward move to be sure. In that sense, the concept of a human expiration date just doesn’t fit.
When Mary first received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer she said, “I think I just got my ticket out.” In other words, she (and all of us) thought this was the beginning of the end of her time on earth.
She made her ticket-comment without fear or sarcasm but with a sincere belief in God’s truth about moving from the here-and-now to the hereafter. Though she didn’t know “how long she had,” she figured her moving date was about to come into sharp focus.
But today, after many tests and a long meeting with multiple doctors, she was told her “ticket out” will be dated far in the future. The experts are optimistic that a surgical procedure called the Whipple can remove Mary’s existing cancer (all in one place) and give her an indefinite earthly-life expectancy. Although the operation is both complicated and temporarily debilitating, they linked the word “cure” with a successful surgical outcome.
So, does Mary still have a “moving date” on God’s relocation plan? Of course. All of us do. But her ticket out, once thought to be close, has been moved to the vast unknown like the rest of us. And because of that fabulous news today, we are all singing, “Hallelujah!”
(BTW, the night I served those expired cheesy potatoes? I didn’t eat any, just in case we needed a designated driver to the ER.)
“If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:8)
Mary’s prayer requests:
- Clarity for the doctors as she seeks a second opinion
- Wisdom to make decisions over the next few days
- Praise to God for today’s good news!
Praise the Lord and I will continue to pray for the upcoming surgery. Thank you for the update!!
Stephanie
Praising God for the good news. Will be praying for all of you. Love you.
Praise the Lord for a good meeting today. Will continue to pray for wisdom and peace.
(So glad Nelson and Brit survived your cheesy potatoes, something Grandma Johnson would have done:)
What JOYOUS NEWS! My dad had something similar 15 years ago, he’s now 91! His cancer began in the duodenum but had spread to the pancreas, and all over the abdomen. The doctors didn’t actually give my dad much hope, but my dad trusted God first and the doctors second, and he is still doing great. Praise be to God for His tender mercies for Mary and all the family!
Praise God!! God is still a God of miracles – God can do what He says he can do!
Breathing a joyous sigh of relief with all of you!:) “Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!” Praying at this end! Love to all! Sue
Great News!! And you are so much like your mom 😉 Good you didn`t eat any…… 🙂
Wonderful news about Mary. One of my daughter-in- law’s Grandpa lived to 101. When his 13 children were all little, he had his cancerous stomach removed. He lived for the Lord, everyday. What a man! Healing hugs, daily, for our Mary !!
Praying for wisdom for the doctors, Mary and for grace and strength for the surgery. God is giving her His grace as we can see,
Cannot believe you actually served a pkg deal!!! ( I feel so much better about myself and my past due boxes). Love to you all!
Thanking the Lord for His tender mercies and plan for Mary! We are inspired to look to Him through this journey.
Praise God for answered prayers and the hope that this surgery brings. Our prayers continue every day.
Of course, I wonder who Whipple was. : )
So glad for good doctors, and for Mary, who is content no matter the result.
I think I have a can of refried beans in the pantry that are older than your potatoes.
Amen, amen, amen amen!!! Praise God and to the power of the Holy Spirit with us!!! Watched this too many times. Thank You Jesus for Your blessings!!
Oh Margaret, We’re also thanking and praising the Lord for the wonderful news about Mary’s test results! tWally and have been, and will continue lifting Mary up in prayer, also berv and their chilldren, and of course you. Please tell them we send our love ! <3 (HUGS) to you too! ISAIAH 41:10
Praying for Mary to have strength and for the doctors guidance as God leads in her journey back to good health.
That is fabulous news! Thank you Lord!
That is wonderful news. We will continue to pray for
the entire family.
I am a good friend of your cousin Jill Sarisky. She sent me this link because my daughter 2 years ago was diagnosed with stage 3 duodenum cancer. She had the Whipple performed by Dr Linehan in St Louis of Barnes Jewish Hospital in St Louis, Missouri. He was rated very high in all of the many Whipple surgeries that he has performed. He has been a skilled surgeon and answered every and any questions any of us have asked him. With her surgery they took out her duodenum, gall bladder, pancrease head, plisoris. And part of her stomach. The recovery was difficult and with 2 different 6 months of chemo she has been cancer free since October 2013! Keep God in your heart and keep a good attitude and God willing you can beat this terrible disease just like Goliath and the giant!
God is so good! Prayers going up for the clarity of the medical team, peace in your decision making, and strength for the whole clan! Please don’t eat your sister’s cooking lol
Thank the Lord for this news. I am glad, however, that a second opinion is being sought. Jim and I continue to pray for Mary and all her loved ones. Margaret, I am thankful for your gifts as a skillful communicator!
Praise GOD for answered prayers and we continue to trust HIM to guide through second opinions and successful surgery. To God be the glory! Sending our love to Mary, Berv & all the family. (Isaiah 26:3-4)
I praise God — and will continue to pray!
PRAISE THE LORD! HIS MERCIES ARE NEVER-ENDING, HIS LOVE NEVER FAILS, HIS GRACE ABOUNDS AND HIS GLORY PREVAILS! GOOD NEWS ALL AROUND!!
We were searching for climate change solutions and came across your What’s your moving date? | Getting Through This page. My greatest concern is energy, unless we end using dirty energy the world is going to be in bad danger.
I am surprised people are not looking at using more renewable energy like Ocean Power sort of like Florida based Crowd Energy. If we dont solve this problem soon its going to get bad.
Cheers, Poteet