Today I went for my appointment at the Breast Care Clinic, because of a lump on my sternum, so this blog has two parts: one written before my consultation, and one after.
Part 1: 7.30am
I woke early, began to say the Lord’s Prayer, and the last sentence of these two verses came immediately into my mind, staying there insistently:
Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:1-2; NLT, my emphasis).
These words, especially that final sentence, will be my watchword today as I find out God’s good, pleasing and perfect will for me. God’s will is, in fact, my vocation.
Part 2: 2.30pm
After a morning at the Breast Care Clinic, I’m now back home, absolutely exhausted. Tests showed that the lump is not cancerous, so all is well and no treatment is necessary. Everyone at the clinic was really kind. Thank you so much to all who have prayed for me and sent their good wishes.
References
Everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! (Romans 11:36; NLT).
Should we accept only good things from the hand of God, and never anything bad? (Job 2:10; NLT).
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33; NLT).
My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done (Matthew 26:42; NLT, my emphasis).
When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other (Ecclesiastes 7:14; NIV).
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4, NLT).
I beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the vocation to which you have been called: with all humility and meekness, with patience, supporting one another in charity (Ephesians 4:1-2; CPDV).
A few days ago I received my first ever personal glimpse into the concept of “vocation” (see https://wp.me/p45bCr-djN). You may, with complete justification, think me very ignorant about this. Anyway, yesterday, I was given a little more understanding.
I saw that there are many kinds of vocation, and that each is a gift from God to a particular individual. We can ignore, resent, resist, reject, or fight against our vocation. Alternatively, we can freely choose to accept and embrace it with joy, whatever it may be.
This made me wonder whether writing, running my website and being chronically ill have come together to form my vocation – a question which has never crossed my mind before. Then today’s blog began to flow, though it was extremely difficult to put into words. My apologies for the masculine pronouns; I just couldn’t make it work without them.
God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28; NLT).
Receive whatever God sends With grace,
Whether it’s good or ill,
For the Lord brings blessings
From everything,
When we accept his will.
Embrace whatever God gives With thanks,
Whether it’s bad or good,
For the Lord brings blessings
From everything,
Through his Son’s precious blood.
Give back whatever God takes
With love,
No matter how great the pain,
For the Lord brings blessings
From everything,
And he will restore us again.
You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again (Psalm 71:20; NLT).
References
I want your will to be done, not mine (Luke 22:42; NLT).
Should we accept only good things from the hand of God, and never anything bad? (Job 2:10; NLT).
When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other (Ecclesiastes 7:14; NIV).
I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things (Isaiah 45:7; NLT).
God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood (Romans 3:23-5; NLT).
Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us (1 Chronicles 29:14; NLT).
Accept whatever he gives, and give whatever he takes with a big smile (Saint Mother Theresa).
The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. May the name of the LORD be blessed! (Job 1:21; NET).
Walk in a manner worthy of the vocation to which you have been called: with all humility and meekness, with patience, supporting one another in charity (Ephesians 4:1-2; CPDV).
The Rosary Hospital
Yesterday I was able to continue making my first rosary in the new way – by beginning in the middle of the circle. Hopefully I will finish it tomorrow:
