Unremarkably Remarkable

"But thou, O Lord, are a shield for me; my glory,
and the lifter up of my head."

Psalm 3:3

  

Several months ago, my 93 yr old mom was not doing well. Each time I would visit I would hear the same words - "I don't know why God continues to keep me here. I am of no use to anyone."  I understood the emotion, and even the rationale, behind her statement, but I also knew that God still had something for her to do. She began to feel better, while at the very same time the seriousness of my diagnosis arrived on the scene. As we waited for answers, I recanted the conversation we had on that day awhile back. I reminded her that THIS is why she is still alive; so that she could pray and encourage me during a time when I truly need her most. 

I have been moved and humbled by the outpouring of your prayers and petitions on my behalf. Prayers over the phone; prayer gatherings; text message prayers, email prayers, facebook posts to let me know I was being prayed for; being placed on various prayer lists at various churches. Each day I have been encouraged by someone through prayer. What a gift!

As last Wednesday's doctor's appointment loomed in front of me, you all reminded me that you were covering me in prayer. I had begun to move towards acceptance of this disease and was ready to face the outcome of the tests I had the previous week - brain and spine MRI and the biopsy of the uterus. This, our third day of praying in the car with my daughter, my sis and I, was more subdued. We prayed for good news, we prayed that the Oncologist would be kinder and gentler this time, we prayed God's will in all of this, we prayed powerful scripture. But our steps were heavy as we made our way to the dr's office, and our spirits were less than joyful. 

We waited patiently as the Oncologist pulled up the information on the screen. We anxiously asked about the brain MRI, and the only word that came out of the doctor's mouth was "Unremarkable." He admitted that it wasn't a very attractive word, but that it was the word used to describe the brain MRI results. We rejoiced out loud with "Praise the Lord!" and I think I even clapped my hands! We told him that we loved the word "unremarkable!"  We asked about the spot on the uterus and he said there was nothing there to be concerned about! Again, we all cheered! Then he said the cancer was not yet pressing against the nerves in the spine! We looked at each other, not quite believing what we were hearing! And on top of all of that, the doctor was kinder and gentler! After giving me options for chemo treatment, and more serious conversation, we exited into the lobby area. The three of us embraced and wept as we thanked God for a day of good news!  Yes, the cancer is still there. That has not changed, but God in His infinite grace and mercy saw fit to be the "lifter of my head" and answer the prayers of the righteous!