About fifteen years ago, after her emergency colon surgery, my late wife Jeannie and I sat in the oncologist’s office waiting for the results of her biopsy. On the wall, we noticed a calendar with Ephesians 3:20.
Flash forward to this past week, the morning of my latest cystoscopy. Bonnie and I were reading in the New Testament when—you guessed it— I paused when we came to Ephesians 3:20:
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
I couldn’t help but wonder, “Is God messing with me?” I remembered the pain I had felt when Jeannie’s oncologist quietly told her that she had stage four cancer. That was the beginning of a three-year battle that ended when the chemotherapy no longer worked.
As with others who face trials, Jeannie and I had struggled to make sense out of Romans 8:28:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
It turned out that she lived three more years, during which she celebrated the birth of her grandson Clay, helped friends and neighbors who were facing their own struggles, and in the last months of her life, returned to North Carolina to help her brother Mike care for and comfort her mother who was dying. Jeannie found God’s purpose for her life.
Several years ago, I made the mistake of praying for patience. Ever since, I have been given ample opportunities to test my patience. As I undressed, preparing for the cystoscopy, I paused to think about the many friends who were praying for me. I thanked God for their comfort and once again asked Him to give me the patience to accept His will. Thankfully, it was God’s will that my cancer would go into remission.
Not being someone who believes that God can only handle one blessing at a time, I had scheduled another medical procedure for the next day.
When I asked one of our friends to pray for me because I was going for Mohs surgery, she said, “Who is Moe?”
“He’s friends with Larry and Curley,” I quipped, before explaining I had to have a basal cell carcinoma removed from my nose. “Please pray I don’t end up looking like Jimmy Durante!”
Well, nineteen stitches later, the nose issue was taken care of. The dermatologist advised me that there would be some swelling and pain, but it would subside in a few days. The next morning, with one eye sealed shut I looked like a fighter who had gone ten rounds against Rocky Marciano, Once again I asked God for patience.
Avis, one of our prayer-buddies, sent me well wishes that ended with a verse that is perfect for anyone going through challenging times:
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12
It is easier to have patience when we remember: God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine!
Blessings,
Don & Bonnie
Because He Loves Us Press 