“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.
Romans 8:28
When I first got sick at the end of 2009, I had a wonderful corporate job as a Comptroller. The job came with a new vehicle every 3,000 miles, gas, car washes, a phone, and a generous salary. I went to a doctor’s appointment and the doctor looked me in the eye and said, “You have a brain tumor.” Actually, it was a tumor in a vertebra in my neck below the brain stem so it was a cervical tumor, not a brain tumor. At any rate, as I walked out of the office I remember thinking that just couldn’t be true. I felt fine. I had been falling a lot lately, but other than that there was nothing wrong. And I figured I was just a klutz! The company I worked for was sold during this time and I had an offer from the buyer. However, I couldn’t seem to work with the knowledge of the tumor hanging over me so I didn’t stay. I started to get ready for surgery.
I’ve always felt that I understood God’s plan for me and I still did. They explained that this tumor was most likely benign so after the surgery things looked good. What happened then I have explained in my blog post, “Morning”. However, to sum up this part of it, after four surgeries and staying in several hospitals and nursing homes, my new status was to have now lost my memory as well as my house, my car, gas, car washes, phone and a generous salary. And I did not return home for two entire years. Actually I never returned to my house as it was repossessed. Now one would think I may question God’s plan for me. But I didn’t. When my memory started working better, I thought about what God told the rich young man who came to him.
The story of the rich young man who came to Jesus to ask what he needed to do to get eternal life has always fascinated me. Jesus told him to follow the commandments, but then he asked, “What do I still lack?” Jesus response to him was:
“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” The young
man went away sad because he had great wealth.
Matthew 19:2
I truly believe God wanted to teach me something important by my experience. And he did. God remained with me all during this time. He never forsook or abandoned me. He kept my mood up. I was treated by thoughtful, caring doctors and people who were not even sure why this was happening the way it was.
And I learned that except for my God and my family, the rest of what I had was just stuff, which was not important at all.
