Cancer, Cancer, Go Away

In 2009 we had three diagnoses of cancer in the family. We lost two of those mothers. It's only January, but here we find ourselves with two more family members diagnosed with cancer. All different kinds, too. No, they don't all live by each other. Weird. But you know what, God is good.

This kind of thing could have you shaking in your boots. Isn't it only natural to think, "who's next?" "Me?" "My husband?" Then, you face your fears ,bring them out into the light, where God's truth shines on them and they don't look so big. What's the worst case? A believer gets "promoted" and goes to heaven? I have to  think, yes, how sad for us left behind should the cancer win, but you know, for those in Christ Jesus, it really isn't so scary afterall.

I was humbled and encouraged at the same time by my sister-in-law lastnight. She had cancer last year, while her mother lay dying with it too. My sister-in-law was healed. She's the mother of 4 children, 3 very young. Her husband is one with cancer now. She spoke such faith though. No pity party. No "why me? us? him?" Just faith. Not faith in healing, although that's what we are all praying for; but faith that God is good, has the master plan, and it will all work out, even if it is our worst fear come true.

The sun is shining today...for the first time in too long. It's as if the Lord were smiling down on us, like a proud father, nodding, and saying, "Yes, they get it."
Our hope is in heaven.
Our treasure is in heaven.
Many are the tribulations of the righteous...we were told. But then, there's eternal life in Glory, far more than we could ever dream up, waiting for the righteous.
How does one "get" righteous?
You can't.
Jesus is though, and when you trust Him and believe, and follow Him, God sees you in nothing but Christ's righteousness. We become the "righteousness of God" Clean, forgiven, and a son or daughter- co-heir with Christ.