Listen to the Message

Listen to the Message.

It was preached to those believers who

are now dead, and yet even though they died,

(just as all people must), they will still get in 

on the life that God has given in Jesus.

1 Peter 4:6

Monday I had an appointment with my oncologist - four and a half years from the date of my cancer surgery.  I love my doctor - a wonderful woman who stands at the top of her profession but is the most compassionate, caring physician I have ever met.  We zipped through the exam like clockwork, and after telling me that everything look A-OK, she asked if I had any questions.  I knew she would ask, and I was ready with a big one.

I am in remission from uterine cancer.  My pastor friend and co-worker at the church is in remission from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.  Recently we served at the funeral for a wonderful man in our congregation whose cancer had returned after 17 years!  Ben and I had talked after the service about the reality of the thought of recurrence always being in a corner of the mind of an individual who has had cancer.  I asked my doctor, "Will I ever get over this lingering question?"  She gently smiled and said, "No, not really," then went on to give me very encouraging statistics regarding my particular cancer and its chances of recurring after five years.  She even spoke of the word "cured," a label that might be affixed to my chart at my five-year visit in August.

In reality, however, long life is guaranteed to none of us.  I can survive cancer and die from a heart attack, or accident, or crime.  Most people want to live to a ripe old age, and I am no exception.  I would hate to leave this earth while my girls were still under thirty and perhaps in need of my help.  Whenever my time comes, however, I have no fears regarding the aftermath.  I know that God will continue to look after my children.  I know that He is my Savior and Redeemer, and that He has prepared a place for me that I might be where He is.  I have lived within the heart of the Message my entire life, and know the promises therein are true and faithful.