Don’t Forget to Say Thank You!
Four years ago today my life-and mouth-changed dramatically when I had surgery for a cancerous tumor under my tongue. I had to learn to talk differently, to eat differently and even to brush my teeth differently-and floss more frequently as well! A subsequent surgery left me with a neck scar as well, but didn’t require nearly the recovery that the first surgery did.
All of that being said, I am so very thankful to my Lord Jesus Christ for the healing these two surgeries brought. I certainly don’t want to be ungrateful for the healing and health I have enjoyed. Another truly amazing gift I’ve received is a confirmation of a completely clean digestive system, free of any evidence of Crohn’s Disease. This is most significant because I’ve had to be off of all immunosuppressant medications for four years since that is what allowed the cancer to develop and grow. God has given me a wonderful gift for which I thank and praise Him.
I am very keenly aware of the fact that the health stories of many people have not turned out this way. In the past two years in our immediate family we have had three losses. My husband’s sister passed away from a cancer that was not able to be successfully treated with medication or surgery. My older brother was diagnosed with a rapidly progressing form of ALS and passed away last year. Just a few months ago, my mother passed away after a short illness that followed years of health challenges. While we know that these loved ones are more alive in heaven than they ever were here on earth, it’s hard to continue on without them, with the empty places felt at family gatherings.
With the pandemic encompassing the whole world, no one has been untouched by illness and sorrow. I’m often hesitant to share the good news of clear scans because I don’t want to rub salt in the wounds of others. Not everyone’s health issues are turning out well, of that I am very aware. But I’m compelled to share, partly because of one of my husband’s favorite Bible stories. There were 10 lepers who came to Jesus and He healed them all, but only one of them returned to thank Jesus for this miraculous healing. I never want to be ungrateful for such amazing gifts, so here I am, saying a very big THANK YOU to God for these wonderful gifts of health and wholeness, for however long they remain!
Faith Through the Journey 