God’s will is not always easy to accept, and today’s turn of events fits into that difficult category.
My sister Mary had a full body scan to check for any recurrence of pancreatic cancer, and tonight we learned the devastating truth: this vicious disease has returned and is now on her liver and in her lungs.
Doctors don’t recommend additional chemotherapy, since it would have to be so strong that its side effects would be nearly unbearable. Tonight Mary seems at peace with that. She said, “I just plan to make every single day count.”
It’s been a long, tearful day for all the Petersons. Mary admitted that her low point was having to communicate today’s findings to their 7 children and families because… “it’s awful to be the cause of your children’s suffering.”
Yesterday when she was at my house, we talked about today at length. She said, “The verse dominating my thoughts is Isaiah 26:3 – ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace who’s mind is stayed on Thee.’ ”
This is a watertight promise from God, and as she repeatedly claimed it last night, he gave her that peace in the form of a good night’s rest.
Now the Lord has given her a new verse, one that isn’t nearly as easy to own. True to herself and to her Lord, she said, “All of us, including your blog readers, prayed for God’s will, and today he answered our prayers by showing us what that was. I know he didn’t cause my cancer, but he has decided to allow it. Tonight his word to me is ‘Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice,’ so I’m going to try to do that.”
This was said through tears, but it was, indeed, said.
* * * * *
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Praying with Mary, Bervin, and their Family:
- Pray for this difficult adjustment period to their sad news
- Pray for the grand- children, that their faith will grow, despite God not answering their prayers for their grandma as they’d hoped
- Pray for God’s peace to flood each heart, right in the middle of this heartbreaking news
My heart breaks but I will continue to pray and ask God for healing! I trust God with Mary!
We love you Mary! Praying for you and your family.
My heart is extremely sad, but we trust Jesus, and have every confidence in Him. Mary, I will continue to pray for you and your family.
I am so very sad. I will pray for God’s peace for all of you.
Dear Margaret, Mary, and your families, i am praying for all of you!
Love on Jesus,
Peg Burch
Oh Margaret, words are inadequate to express my heartfelt compassion for Mary, Bervin, their family, and of course you and your family. May you sense God’s presence and love in a very real way as you trust Him for strength for this journey. My fervent prayers continue.
Through tears, I send this message to you and Mary.
Mary, you and Margaret are in the Lord’s Will. Always remember, “Yesterday, Today, Forever,
Jesus Is The Same.
All may change, but Jesus, Never!
Glory to His Name! ”
I continue to pray for your Peace; Peace, Wonderful Peace.
Coming down from the Father Above.
Sweep over your Spirit, Forever I Pray,
In Fathomless Billows of Love! “
Oh my gosh. I just found out, and can’t stop blubbering. I feel like my best friend just told me devastating news. Praying for God’s will is the hardest thing. He gives and He takes away, but the part I have a problem with is the take away. It’s not what I want. I’m so sorry. I will continue to pray for all of you. A friend of our’s who had cancer used to laugh at all of us and say “I’ll get to heaven before you” (With a nyah, nyah thrown in for good measure) And he did!
Oh, I am so sorry to hear this, Margaret. My prayers are with you and Berv & Mary and their children and grandchildren. Love you!
With a heavy heart, sending love and prayers to you my sweet friends!
Praying with you Margaret & family as you look to Jesus, Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Mary’s faith in Jesus is beautiful. Mary is beautiful. Praying for all of you.
Dear Mary and Berv and family,
In times like these:
The most profound statement in the English language is: “God is.”
The second most profound statement in the English language is: “God is here.” A. W. Tozer
And although far away, so will we–your many brothers and sisters in the Lord–be with you and your family, in savory thanksgiving and joy or in suffering grief and sorrow, in earnest prayer and listening silence.
For many of us, our years of knowing one another exceeds our earliest memories–in this we have been blessed.
With pause and thoughtful stillness,
Fellows and Jonie
I am sad to hear this recent news. I don’t always write but have followed your journal. I continue to pray for Mary and her family.
As I read the beginning of this post, my heart sank. Yes, such heartbreaking news. I am so sorry for the whole family. I had to “catch my breath” and remember that I know and trust in the God of all comfort. And as I read to the end of the post, I saw evidence that God is keeping that promise of comfort to Mary. Her story is a testimony of faith and God’s strength. I will stand by you all in prayer, especially for the grandchildren.
Such sad news. Praying for Mary, Berv, you and all the family. May our Lord fill you with peace and strength as you walk through this together.
Dear, dear Margaret! Two devastating pancreatic blows swung at you! My heart aches for you! God is going to bring good out of this devastation. I’m praying that someone will come to know Jesus at Mary’s memorial service. One thing we know for sure–she will not die in vain. All of our faiths have been strengthened by her witness, and yours, whether we know her personally or not. Blessings on you, Margaret, as you carry your grief forward.
Mary’s faith has been a comfort (and a rebuke) for all of us through this. It’s not surprising that her response was to “rejoice” in the Lord, while the rest of us weep. He knew He could trust her with this, because her heart is firmly fixed on Him. What a grand testimony she is that God is good….ALL the time, not just when the news is good.
There is no pat phrase but God’s Word has already spoken. I know Mary is in the Lord’s hands and He will not fail her.
Our prayers are not only for her, but dear Berv. This is his best friend, lover, dearest one, so so painful even with the Lord’s promises. And their children and grand children having this deep pain now and in the days to come will keep us remembering them in prayer.
Please give Berv and Mary our love.
Our love to you as well as this time of year is difficult for you.
Love
Bruce and Beth
This is indeed heartbreaking news for you Margaret, and also Mary and her family. I remember how I felt every time my husband’s doctor would tell us his lung cancer had advanced into another part of the body. But the thought that came to me after I read your blog today was that All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Even though this is a heartbreaking time for you and your family Mary, you can also look forward to being reunited with all your family and friends who have gone before you. You are all in my prayers and thoughts
My heart aches for each of you. Mary is a true reflection of the light and love of Christ as she continues to submit to the Father, placing herself in His hands and doing all things for His Glory. I will continue to pray for her and her family, as well as for you, Margaret, and your family.
We will uphold both Mary and Berv before the Throne of Grace.
To Mary, Margaret, and all of your family members-
You are loved and will be prayed for.
Love,
Terry
The Bible tells us to “Rejoice with them that do rejoice and weep with them that weep” Romans 12 v.15 KJV. I am weeping with you over Mary’s news but rejoicing in her attitude to claim such a special Bible verse. May you all feel God holding your hand. I will be praying for all of you.
Phil 4:19 “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus”. Words cannot express my heart. Leaning on God.
‘But the God of all grace, Who hath called us into His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.’ I Peter 5:10-11.
Not sure why God takes us through suffering in order to perfect us, but His ways and His will is perfect. ‘For His own glory, and our best good.’ Sending much love and many hugs.
I struggle to process this. Nothing is as it seems. God knows all our days. Some of us have been scanned, some of us have not. None of us know, but God knows the days, hours, minutes of our lives. We cannot add to them.
How we long to stay with those we love…………God tells us there is no sting in death and yet we still feel a stab at the thought of not being among those we care so much about. My heart aches for her and for hers. What wisdom there is in these scriptures….We need to cling to and not take our eyes off of our Great Father God who loves Mary and her loved ones more than any of us can fathom. I am praying for them in these days to come. That Yeshua would surprise them all with overflowing joy and goodness. It is by faith we travel these rocky roads. Just praying.
“Tho I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for THOU art with me.” To have a shadow, an ephemeral and fleeting thing, one must have light. “and the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot understand it.” And, may I add, cannot overwhelm it. Light is victorious. Dear Mary, Berv, Margaret and all – may your eyes see the Light even in the valley – and at the end of the valley is the House of the Lord. Lee and I continue to pray for all of you.
I read all 27 replies: ” Thank you, Mary and Margaret, for the Blessing that you both have been to me while Pearl has away from home since Sept.8th; may not be home until next year. Jimmy Glauser,here.
Margaret, after reading all the beautiful replies above, there are no words left to express my heartfelt sorrow for you and family. Mary has been such an inspiration to all your readers, and you, as well….sister-love….you are blessed, to have had such a wonderful relationship throughout your lives. My sister and I have that kind of relationship, and it is a ‘treasure’. Terry and I are going to meet her and daughter, Carol, tomorrow in Brooksville, (half-way for both of us), to celebrate her 85th birthday! Each one a special blessing, since we never know!
God bless you, Mary and all of your family, through this difficult time.
We are so sorry, sad and surprised to hear of this heartbreaking news. Margaret thank you
so much for all of your efforts for keeping us in touch with Mary and family. Mary has always been and is one of God’s “Special Angels on earth”. We are so grateful for Mary & Bervin and their terrific family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Keith, Kathy & Family
Oh Margaret–it is such heartbreaking news to read of what you all are going through. I’m aching for you as I write. What a woman of faith your sister is! Her response even through tears, speaks loudly of years of faithfulness to Christ. His righteous right arm will continue to up hold her as she goes through this. Bless you as you encourage and help her in this battle.
Love and prayers. Katey
My heart goes out to all your family. The same thing happened to my husband. He passed away 10 months ago.
Praying for all of you. I know God is with all of you at this difficult time and the times to come. He is faithful.
Margret, your book got me through this in the beginning. I have bought several and given to friends who lost their husbands. God bless all of you.
OH, heart breaking news.
Mary is such a brave woman! To cling to ‘rejoicing’ amidst suffering and pain prompts eternal perspective in all of us. Even while walking with this heavy burden, Mary is ministering to us all.
Grace, peace and comfort to the whole family.
With love,
Don and Christina Sweeting
Oh, no. Oh, no!!!!! I’m so sorry! Choking back tears as I pray for you all in this hard place. God is faithful!!
Margaret, Ed and I are so sorry to hear such heartbreaking news.. Words cannot express such sorrow for the Peterson family. We will keep everyone in our hearts and prayers. Also thank you Margaret, for all your beautiful words and prayers along this sad journey.
Margaret my heart is broken for all of you. What an inspiration Mary has been for me. Heartfelt prayers to you and the family. Peace,peace,wonderful peace is my prayer for all of and especially Mary.
Mary, you have fought a good fight, you have finished your course, you have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for you a crown of righteousness …” (2 Thes 4:7, 8). God has blessed you with an awesome family. You have glorified Him through your life. Your reward is waiting for you in Heaven with our Father. We pray for peace and comfort for you and your family.
I awoke early this a.m. not on my terms but on The Lords, I know I needed to spend time praying before my ‘busy’ day begins. I has been several days since I had time to read your blogs so I started where I had left off and read a week and a half of blog posts. Of course this one made me cry. So many words and thoughts have been expressed both on this blog and in the privacy of phone or skype conversations. You know first hand what a ‘death’ sentence looks like and feels like. You know what is to come and how to treasure each moment. I pray now for your family once again as they navigate life through death. Mary loves Jesus, Mary will be just fine when her final breath is taken. Mary will see your mom, your dad, Nate and Jesus! Her journey is just beginning. The hard part once again is say ‘good bye’ for now and longing to keep her here. May these next weeks or months or days be life changing for everyone. May they grow so close to The Lord, that heaven is the top travel destination on each your lists. May she be as your mom, studying for her ‘finals’. I pray now that as God carries each of you (and there a lot of ‘eachs’) that Mary’s journey will draw you closer to Him and to each other. May Mary’s ‘dash’ here on earth affect eternity for generations to come. I will keep you all in prayer.
We are so sorry to hear this news. But we know that God’s grace is sufficient in all things. We will continue to pray for you all.
Margaret,
So sorry to hear this news. I will pray for you, Mary, and all the family members. I especially pray for the grandchildren, that their faith will be protected by our all sufficient God. I lift you up to the Lord’s care and peace as you walk this difficult road once again.
Heart felt love to you.
Monica Wood
Dear Margaret, I am so sorry to see this news. My computer has been down, so I just read it. Mary’s response to this and her trust in God and submission to His will are an inspiration and testimony. May God continue to grant all of you His peace.
Love & prayers. Ruth
This is difficult news, will be praying for the entire family and the incredible sadness they are experiencing. Mary and Margaret you are both such a treasure!
There is still The Gerson Therapy.
Dear Mary & Berv & Family. We are praying for you and trusting that God will intervene in your behalf. So so sorry to hear about this new diagnosis .You all are so strong in your faith and you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has a plan for each of us.We know not what tomorrow holds but we know who holds tomorrow and that’s where our faith begins & ends. We love you guys and pray Gods richest blessings on you all as a family.Try to enjoy your Thanksgiving together and we will be praying for you. Love you in the Lord. Wally & Barb Fuja.
Dear Mary & Berv & Family. We are praying for you and trusting that God will intervene in your behalf. So so sorry to hear about this new diagnosis .You all are so strong in your faith and you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has a plan for each of us We know not what tomorrow holds but we know who holds tomorrow and that’s where our faith begins & ends. We love you guys and pray Gods richest blessings on you all as a family. Try to enjoy your Thanksgiving together and we will be praying for you. Love you in the Lord. Wally & Barb Fuja.