iwantmorethanapinkribbon
  • Blog
  • My story

Life can't be planned ...

7/13/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
My dad, in his early 20's.
I was writing this post ... and it was long and drawn out ... and I simply shut it down. 

It comes down to this.  We aren't in as much control as we think we are.

My husband, two teens and I just returned from a 12-day trip where we dealt with two cancelled flights, luggage that went ahead of us, an airline cancelling our entire trip (which was, fortunately able to be reinstated), multiple work-related issues popping up that required my husband to spend too many hours to address them, and most seriously, the dying process of my beloved 84-year-old dad.  He could hang on for weeks or months, or he could be gone tomorrow.

We just don't know.

We often go through life treating it as an if/then equation.  IF we do this, THEN this will happen.

It doesn't happen that way.  

I am so incredibly grateful for the life I have today.  However, I am reminded of the verse in James that says, "What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." (James 4:14b, English Standard Version).

In the realm of eternity, it really doesn't matter if I live 52+ years or if I live 84+ years like my dad.  We're both going to die.  I can make all the plans I want, but I have little control as to whether or not these plans will come to fruition.

While I'm still in the book of Judges in my Bible writing project, I can't help but think ahead to the book of Ecclesiastes: 

"Besides being wise himself, the Quester also taught others knowledge. He weighed, examined, and arranged many proverbs. The Quester did his best to find the right words and write the plain truth. 11 The words of the wise prod us to live well.

They’re like nails hammered home, holding life together.

They are given by God, the one Shepherd.


But regarding anything beyond this, dear friend, go easy. There’s no end to the publishing of books, and constant study wears you out so you’re no good for anything else. The last and final word is this:

Fear God.
Do what he tells you.

And that’s it. Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it’s good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:9-14, The Message).


And what does God tell me?  What does he require of me? 

"But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women.

It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
 be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously -- take God seriously.  (Micah 6:8, The Message)


I am quite the moody gal ... grateful, but saddened; happy, yet mourning.  Such is the life that just can't be planned.





0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    God's Story

    _I believe we all have a story. This blog records my story and how I've lived with breast cancer both as a primary disease and a terminal disease.  I believe this is all a part of God's story for my life. This blog unapologetically includes all areas of my life: my faith, my family and my advocacy for change in the metastatic breast cancer world.

      

    The Best Metastatic Breast Cancer Blogs of the Year
    Healthline

    Archives

    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

    Categories

    All
    Blood Test
    Breast Cancer
    Chemo-cap
    Chemotherapy
    China
    China Post Office
    Construction
    Fish Testing
    Hair Cut
    Hair Loss
    Her2
    Hong Kong
    Humor
    Joy
    Losing Eyebrows
    Nadir
    Pink Ribbon
    Shengli
    Staging
    Starfish
    Symbolism
    Tnm Rating
    Tumor Shrinkage
    Victory
    White Cell Count
    Xile

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.