08/20/2020
Today I am having hip replacement surgery, but I am not afraid, and this isn’t the first time I have spent the early morning hours preparing myself for an operation, or some medical challenge. Back in October of 2015 I was informing my children of just such a serious event… cancer, but my trust was in the Lord then, just as it is now.
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Now I am going to share with you the humorous, and yet faith confirming, email I wrote to my oldest daughter who was having a tough time with my cancer diagnosis. Here is the email I wrote to Mariah (who’s pet name is Mo)…
“Sorry Mo... I dropped my phone in the toilet and had to let it dry out. I am just now reading your text...
Yes they did an ultrasound on Wednesday the 14th. They took pictures and listened to the blood flow for almost an hour. I had a second copy of the results sent to Dr. Karl V. as well. Then, on Thursday the 15th I emailed Karl to let him know that the results were coming and went back to Dr. J to hear the findings firsthand.
Dr. J is a wonderful and bright young urologist with a good manner, and Karl is a genius and longtime friend who I trust completely. My bases were covered.
Your mother met me at Dr. J's office and I was glad she did. I already knew what I was going to be told but she is one of those people who needs to hear it for herself in order to deal with things. She met Dr. J and began to develop a confidence and relationship with him and his ability.
We walked out of the office and she could see how calm I was in this and how completely perfect Dr. J was for the situation I was facing.
Karl emailed me an hour or two later and confirmed the results. So, all of us are on the same page and God is preparing to turn it.
Whatever comes next I am certain of one thing... I know the author of my life's story and He loves me, and I Him. His plan for me began long before I realized his hand was upon me and will still be unfolding beyond my ability to fathom. This isn't a tragedy.... It is a love story.
So don't be afraid or worried. I am in wonderful hands.
Love,
Dad”
This is an example in my personal life of how our faith can prepare us for the adversities we face in each of our lives; it provides us with a strength beyond anything we can muster on our own, and leaves us assured that whatever comes next, we are in the loving hands of our Lord. Furthermore, if He chooses to take us home we can rest confidently in the fact that our families will remain in those same loving, and caring, hands.
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
My operation today is a rather routine one, (especially compared to the cancer I once faced), but even the routine things we encounter in life are worthy of prayer, and are less stressful with spiritual reassurance. So I will close my eyes in pain, and wake up with a shiny new hip, knowing that soon the pain will be gone, and that getting down on my knees, and back up again, will be easier, and much less painful.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for holding me close, and giving me the reassurance that I, and my loved ones, are forever in your arms. Thank you for your Son Jesus who demonstrated for us that you never abandon us, and though all might seem lost, and we might wait on your help… it always comes. Your Word is true, and there is no problem in our lives that is too small, or too large for you to address. Holy, Holy, Holy are you our God who is watching over us always, and defending us against the most vile of sins and sinners. We praise your name when you perform miracles in our lives, but we praise you equally in the myriad of tiny, almost insignificant, issues that are part of living in this world. Your mercy, and grace abound, and they appear to have been created especially for us. Hear our constant prayers, and give us your peace as we rest in our assurance that your perfect will is at work. Thank you father for our lives, our deaths, and our coming resurrection with Jesus. We long to worship you for eternity, and live in your house forevermore. Come Lord Jesus, and watch over us God... our Father.
““Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”
Matthew 6:25 ESV
Rich Forbes