The Unexpected

There are some things you never think you're going to have to deal with in this life. Or maybe, you just never think about them - at least not for long - because the chances of them happening are so very slim. At least... you think the chances are slim. For me, you could classify, "having one of my step-daughters be diagnosed with Breast Cancer" in that category. Well, regardless of what the odds of that happening really were, here we are. What I thought could (or would) never happen, has happened.

The details are hers to share, but the last two months have been a very emotional roller coaster ride for her and our entire family. And tomorrow, our daughter Michelle, will go through her first round of chemotherapy. While her prognosis is very good, the next few months will see her facing a challenge no parent ever wants to see their child have to endure. 

From the beginning of this, I have held on to Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." I have already seen areas where God is working this for good, as Michelle has wasted no time in becoming an outspoken advocate for early detection and so forth. Knowing her, her personality and her influence with her friends and others, I have no doubt there will be women in the future who will face less critical situations with this disease as a result of discovering it sooner. This helps me to understand why something like this had to happen to someone like her.

Then, this morning during my quiet time, I came across a passage just a few short verses after the one above. Ironically, I had it marked, dated and underlined from a Hillsong United worship concert that Michelle and I attended together almost three years ago. It was read during the message part of the concert. I remember us talking about it on the drive home. It made a big impression on her and so we chatted about it for a bit. As I re-read it now, I see that God - knowing what was going to come about nearly three years later - was laying a foundation for hope, strength and courage in both of our hearts that evening.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long;we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-39)

I have no doubt whatsoever that our daughter will conquer this disease! I also know that her faith - and quite possibly the faith of everyone around her - is going to be stronger than ever when all of this is behind her. So many ways that God is going to work this for good. So many ways that He will show up. So many reasons to be thankful. Even - and sometimes especially - in the unexpected.