A Post of Praise

King David wrote many new songs written as a result of his life experiences and what he learned of himself and of God through those experiences; the book of Psalms is full of many of his works. I appreciate his frankness and honesty that oozes out of his artistry. I think of him today because when I heard some good news about Grace, I felt (not that I actually did) like I could write my own new song of praise.
Grace had her surgery on Monday in Cleveland. The surgeon, after getting into the area where one of the tumors was located, determined that it was NOT cancer, but a loculated area of infection. Grace had to stay in the hospital for a few days because she came out of surgery with some chest tubes, and needed to be on some epidural pain management because of the tubes and her incision. She was to be discharged from the hospital today; she and her husband will be in the Cleveland area for a few days in order to ensure she is well enough to go home, and they should return to N. Carolina next week sometime. She had an infectious disease specialist follow up with her so that once the specific source of infection is targeted, she will be placed on the proper antibiotic therapy for a period of time. Obviously, this outcome is so much better than what the alternative was thought to be. God is a giver of good gifts----regardless of the outcome. I thank Him for being so gracious to Grace, as well as to her family.
Thank you so very much to all who prayed for Grace and who asked about her condition. I think it's incredible that since the family of God is universal, we have the opportunity to tap into what God is doing in places we've never been to and with people we've never met. Thanks for caring about Grace.....and I hope this post causes you to praise.

Prayers for Grace

While this has nothing to do with the topic of my post, I just have to ask on a blustery, wintery day in April: Spring, where are you?? I wish You'd come out and stay for a while! I trust that some of you who read this blog are enjoying sunshine and warm weather, and that in due time, you'll send it towards Michigan.
Can I introduce you to Grace Mason? She is the mother of Jen, one of my really good friends from college. Grace found out recently that she has lung cancer. As a non-smoker, this was quite a shock (for numerous reasons). If you met Grace, you'd think she was the sweetest and dearest Mom around. She was always so kind and generous with her hugs and in opening up her home when my friends and I would visit her and her husband in Columbus, OH. While her scans have shown that there are two spots on her lungs (one on the left and one on the right side), there is still a teeny-tiny possibility that it is not cancer, which is what we are hoping for. She is going to have one of these lesions surgically removed on Monday, April 9th at the Cleveland Clinic. It's a major surgery, and she will be in the hospital for 7-10 days, and in the city of Cleveland itself for 2-3 weeks (the doctors don't want her traveling back home to N. Carolina until they know she is recovering very well). Why do I write about this? It's a simple, yet important reason: I'm asking you to pray for her. Will you circle your calendar on April 9th, or place a little post-it note on your brain as a reminder to Self to pray for her?
I have been traveling back in time lately as I've been listening to a series of messages that were preached by Alistair Begg at the beginning of my Senior year of college. I remember them well because of their content, but also because at that time, my close friend Noelle was undergoing chemo and radiation for her bout with cancer; the circumstances of life at that time were such that caused the Truth of the message to really resonate not just in my brain, but also in my heart. His series was entitled 'My Times are in Your Hands.' It centered out of verses 14&15 in Psalms 31. He had three main points that came out of that series that I thought were just good, encouraging Truth.
1) I am not cast about on an ocean of chance.
2) I am not held in the grip of some 'blind force.'
3) I am being trained in the school of God's providence. Prosperity should not be the occasion of pride, nor should adversity be the occasion for self pity. Why? My times are in His hands.
Not only through various circumstances I have encountered in the health care setting, but also in the lives of my friends (as well as my own life), I have seen this Truth resonate comfort and purpose into so many unanswered questions and deep wounds. Two of my three very close college friends have lost a parent due to cancer. My third friend now is wrestling through that battle. Why? My shoulders are shrugged, and I have to answer truthfully, ' I don't know.' But the Truth of God's providence remains, long past the questions and fears and hurts which slowly give way to peace and comfort...and purpose. For that, I am grateful.
Thanks so much for your prayers for Grace.

Job 10:12-- "You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my Spirit."