"We Have The Biggest But Of All" June 20, 2017

"We have the biggest "but" of all!

In a world of doubt, confusion, anger and fear, there’s a lot of stuff that we see or hear about every day that can really make living life rather depressing. Whatever the circumstance, whatever the issue, there’s always something that happens in our lives that can rob us of our peace, happiness and comfort. Whether it’s an issue with the house, the car, our marriage, our kids, our job, our health or something in the news, there’s always something nearly every day that can steal our joy. But God.

Recently, I visited my mom and dad over Father’s Day weekend. Going up to my mom and dad’s hasn’t been easy these last couple years. In 2015, my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and, though it was removed, the cancer quickly spread. We were hopeful at the time that treatments like immunotherapy, chemotherapy and the newest cancer-fighting “trial” drug would knock out the remaining cancer, but 2 years later, mom is still sick and in pain. It’s extremely hard for me and the rest of my family to see my mom suffering. And, even more recently, mom has had several infections which have prevented her from further chemotherapy treatments. Missing her treatments, there has been no medicine to fight off any remaining cancer. But God.

Yesterday, my mom called me to share the results of her latest cat scan. I was afraid to hear more bad news. However, the cat scan report showed that there were no new growths. Mom said the doctor was happy with the results, but also puzzled. So that was good news. The bad news was that her doctor isn’t optimistic and indicated that, when the cancer comes back, there won’t be anything else they can do for her. But God.

My mom and dad have heard these words before. Even as far back as before I was born, doctors told my parents they wouldn’t have any children. But God gave them three. When our family fell on financially hard times and one evening, my mom in tears, had nothing to feed us. But God brought a lady from our church over with a couple boxes full of food to feed us. My dad’s employers were closing their doors and dad didn’t know what he was going to work. But God gave my dad a new job. Doing the same job. Right down the street. After a bad car crash that left me in a coma in July of 2006, doctors gave my parents the same news. They told my parents, “We’ve done all we can do for him. There’s nothing more we can do. I’m sorry.” But God had a different plan.

But God. The Word of God says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

So, when things look hopeless and the impossible presents itself, just remember, “but God…” and know that with man, things are impossible, "but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

My sister and brother-in-law got this plaque for my dad for Father's Day. These are the words my dad kept hearing when the doctor gave them the news about my mom. It serves as a reminder of who God is, what He has done and what we pray He will do again."

Originally published to Facebook 6/20/17