So Much Good

Today when I asked Mary for her choice of prayer requests for tonight’s blog, she paused. “You know,” she said, “I can’t think of a single request. Only praises.”

Beach bums.Of course some of her requests from recent days are still relevant, but she had no new ones. “I have so much to be grateful for,” she said. At the time we were sitting on a Michigan beach under blue skies enjoying 85 degrees.

I said, “Maybe you’re all about praises because cancer has rearranged the way you look at things, at everything.”

Mary agreed. “It’s so easy to take life’s good things for granted. Cancer changes that. Nothing can be assumed after that, not even the small things.”

It’s the old conundrum of not appreciating what we have until we’ve lost it. In one sense, Mary’s lost something important: good health. But as we talked, we realized she’s already gained more than she’s lost. After all, the only thing on her mind today was the many ways she felt like praising God.

“Ok,” I said. “Let’s list them.”

She jumped right in. “I praise God for a husband who has insisted I learn to say ‘no’ to people. It has always gone against me to say no, but during this season, especially after I start chemo next week, I know it’s the right thing to do.”

She went on. “I praise the Lord that my adult children and my grandchildren want to be with me, with us. After watching them rally around as they have for the last 2 months, I’ll never again take them or their love for granted.”

She continued. “I praise God for the cards, letters, and gifts that keep coming in! And the best part is that time and time again, exactly the right encouraging word arrives, just when I need it most. It’s God doing that, I’m sure.”

As I scribbled down what she was saying, she kept going. “I’m thankful for my new car and for driving privileges. After totaling my old one in an accident just before my diagnosis, we didn’t shop for another one, since I might not have been well enough to drive it. But here I am, driving again and enjoying it more than ever.”

And there was more. “I praise God for this beautiful summer day and time to sit in a beach chair, right in the middle of the busiest week I’ve had in a long time. Even this day is programmed with wedding planning and errand running, but for the moment, being on this beach is a balm to my soul.

It's all good.“Even the popsicles Stina brought to the beach just now were a wonderful treat. I don’t know what life will be like during 6 months of chemo, but today I want to praise God for these last weeks when I can honestly say I’ve had more good days than bad. I’ve decided,” she said, “that from here on I’m going to work at appreciating what I do have, rather than what I don’t.”

….a good philosophy for us all.

“Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven.” (James 1:17)

No requests today!

7 thoughts on “So Much Good

  1. Such a wonderful, godly attitude and example, Mary! The Lord has blessed us through you as we read your progress and plans. Thanks to your dear sister for keeping us informed.
    God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
    Ps 46:1

  2. Oh my, my heart is so full, and you two…..just bless my soul with each blog! Such humility …..such gratitude……yes, we should all be VERY grateful for what we have instead of what we don’t!
    Thanks for the reminder!
    BLESSED MOTHER’S DAY TO YOU BOTH!!

  3. May we all praise God for all his goodness. We are so undeserving but he showers all of us with many blessings! What an inspiration the two you are to my life and to all those who are blessed to read the blog! We have Mary in our thoughts and prayers as she enters the next phase of this journey! Always looking upward!!!

  4. Not just a good word, but a great word!:) Thanks for the inspiration.:):):)

  5. You made me happy – seeing two sisters who are praising God together as they travel through life, with love abounding!

  6. What a blessing it was for me to see both of you last night at the Moody Church 150 Celebration! Gods faithfulness has been proven over and over in all of our lives. How could we ever doubt His love for us and His intention of working out all things for good according to His riches in Christ Jesus and for His glory. You are in our prayers Mary as you continue to walk with your Lord on this path He has set in motion for you. You are an example of Gods grace for all of us. We love you! XO