Death Does Not Own MeSample

LEARNING TO PRACTICE GOD’S WILL It was a Sunday morning about dawn at 6:18 a.m. when I took my husband’s hand, raised it in the air, and told him it was okay to take the hand of the Lord and go home.  He had been diagnosed 10 years prior with bone cancer.  In 2009, doctors discovered his cancer had left the bone, and to spare his life, they would need to amputate both his arm and his shoulder. Wow, I was numb when the doctor announced this to me with a room full of my family and a friend.  How would he receive this news?  How was I receiving it?  I asked the doctor if she could close him back up and allow my husband to make the decision; it was too much for me to decide. The next morning, his surgeon came into his room and pulled a chair up to talk to him face to face.  She was caring; yet matter of fact when she gave my husband the news.  His only question was, “Can it wait until after Thanksgiving?”  She agreed and scheduled it for December 1st, 2009. I don’t remember much about Thanksgiving that year, other than we were with our kids and their spouses.  I don’t remember the dinner or much of the event, but I remember the scripture that told us to give thanks in everything. > “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18 CAN YOU RELATE? How could my husband and I give thanks in all circumstances? He was about to lose his arm and shoulder. I began to realize how much we take for granted; how much our limbs and joints do to help us in life. Dan didn’t talk much about it, but I just remember his positive attitude. It was like he was trying to comfort everyone around him, instead of allowing us to feel sorry for him. > "HOW IS YOUR MINDSET DURING YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES?" At night in bed, my mind went rampant.  He needed his two arms for his line of work.  Would we be able to make our bills if he couldn’t work?  He won’t be able to wash his other arm!  He won’t be able to tie his shoes or put on his socks or button his shirt or tie his tie.  He won’t be able to open a jar or ...or…or...or!  All of this, while he was peacefully sleeping, as if not a care in the world. Well, if I was going to be the wife he needed, then I had to get my act together.  Of course, I didn’t think he would be able to do all the above, but God was about to prove me wrong! If God’s will in all of this is to rejoice, to pray, to give thanks, regardless, then that was what we knew we had to do. WHAT WE LEARNED FROM TODAY’S STUDY: • What the will of God is for us • Rejoice always • Pray always • Be thankful in all things