Still waiting...still learning

The countdown to surgery continues and so do the lessons God is teaching me.

1. God's people are amazing. After the first blog outlining my circumstances, I have had an overwhelming show of love and concern from so many people. Friends and family shared the posting with their friends and family and I have never felt so loved and appreciated. My first reaction was of embarrassment and denial. Words like "amazing" and "inspiring" are just not words I generally accept as descriptive of me but then I began to see how far my life can reach with very little effort on my part. It drove home to me how important it is that my witness be grounded in faith. If what people see is bitterness or negativity, that will be just as far reaching and far more damaging. 
2. Don't miss the "God Messages." The first week or so after I found out about the tumor, I had to spend some time processing it all. There was a short period of time when I was somewhat emotionally fragile before I allowed God's strength to overtake my human fear. It was during that fragile time that a friend called and, not knowing anything about my situation, asked if we would be willing to house a family from China for six weeks in July and August. My human side shouted, "Absolutely not! I can't deal with anything else right now." Then that still small voice that you read about in the Bible began to speak and I realized that my self-absorbtion almost caused me to completely miss my "God Message." He was letting me know that by July, all would be well and I would be perfectly capable of welcoming this family into my home. Had I continued to wallow in self-pity, I might have failed to catch God's reassuring tap on my shoulder. 
3. A sense of humor is absolutely critical to life. If raising Laurie taught me anything, it is that finding the humor in any and all situations is sometimes the only thing that separates you from insanity. So let's consider the ridiculousness of my condition. I'm a 57 year old postmenopausal woman who looks 6 months pregnant. John and I have discussed what we might name this bouncing baby tumor but are waiting to see what sex it is first. I'm thinking it might be fun for he and I to do a baby registry at Target and see how many strange looks we can get. I have talked to my daughter-in-law about the possibility of borrowing her old maternity pants if I get to the point where absolutely nothing will fit anymore. I live in fear of being stopped at the grocery store and accused of trying to steal a watermelon (or a ham, Marlys). Feel free to insert your own jokes here. Trust me, you'll be laughing with me and not at me. 
4. The purpose of any challenge should be for God to be glorified. I would be lying if I said that I still don't have days when I'm tired of waiting and dread the inevitable discomfort that will be my close companion for many days. However, I just read a quote by Mark Batterson that just screamed at me. "I'm not looking for the path of least resistance; I'm looking for the path of greatest glory." If God is allowing this in my life, then He has a greater purpose in mind. There have been many trials I've faced over the years and looking back, I can always see how God was glorified through each one. This will be no different. 

Well, there's a little over two weeks left and now I've found I'm anticipating the lessons God will teach me instead of dreading the continued waiting process. 

Hold the phone! Is that my next lesson? I can feel another blog coming on. Stay tuned!