Unexpected

noname-1Unexpected…that was the word that I used in my last post about the surgery, and has been the word I’ve been mulling over the last week. So many things in life are unexpected, and when they are good, we embrace them with giggles of joy.

But when they aren’t good? That’s a different story…

Being faithful in your marriage to unexpectedly find out that your spouse was not.

Loving and raising a child who announces they don’t want to have anything to do with you.

Going into surgery for a procedure you did not get…

Yes, it happened. The doctor for months assured me that if they did surgery, it would include a bone graft with protein. The papers I signed Tuesday said bone graft with protein. The procedure explained to me by the nurse was a bone graft with protein. The doctor immediately before surgery said the word protein. Then Roger and I prayed that God would give the doctor wisdom and I peacefully went to sleep.

When I awoke, I found out they did not use protein. This is no small deal – you may remember that I had 5 surgeries on my wrist and it did not heal until they used protein. I hand carried the surgical records to the new doctor so that he would know exactly what kind of protein they used. I told him he had only one shot at this, that I was not going through 5 surgeries again. In fact, if he had said he was not going to use protein, we would not have approved the surgery.

What happened? What happened between my going to sleep and waking up to change his mind? He said he was concerned that the protein might excite my cancer. Didn’t he know that before I went under? What changed?

I wanted to be furious, but realized that it would not do any good. The surgery was over. It was too late. What’s done is done. I did my part the best I could. I had no control.

I want to have faith that my leg will heal, protein or no protein. I want to believe that while I was unconscious with no control, God was in control. He is able to have his will, even if I don’t understand it.

So I’ve been thinking about others who have gone through the “unexpected.” They did their part the best they could. They were faithful. They loved their spouse, their child.  They loved God. Something happened of which they had no control. It was far from what they expected.

And, like me, they had to resolve what was unexpected. There was nothing they could do. The spouse left and their heart shattered. The child rebuffed attempts to communicate. They have no control.

So, like me, they are trying to have faith, not in what they can control, but in a God who controls all. They know the story is not ended, just twisted. Amid tears, they cling to a loving God.

Right now, my heart cries with the hearts of those who are dealing with the unexpected. I’m praying that through this, we will all see Jesus in a different light, and that our faith will grow deeper. I pray for healing, in our lives and in the lives for others. And I resolve, as I hope other resolve, to continue to be faithful in responding to God’s leading, and leave the results – expected and unexpected – up to Him.

What has been unexpected in your life? What can I pray for you?

 

 

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4 Responses to Unexpected

  1. Bob Huhta says:

    Maggie,
    Unexpected is an understatement! Thanks for your encouraging words and mature thoughts. We pray that God will, again, allow what is may not be expected and bring healing.
    Bob

  2. Laura Todd says:

    THANK YOU for this post. I am encountering the unexpected.. in many areas of my life…aging, sick parents, a teenage daughter, but mainly a 20 year old son who we have lost contact with….and have written down a lot of your words in my journal to refer back to. Thank you for the encouragment to cling to our loving God. I will pray for your healing….

  3. Maggie says:

    Thank you for the comments! I’m glad what I am going through is practical in the lives of others. Laura, I’m praying for your “unexpected.” Check out Judy Douglass’ website (http://www.judydouglass.com/2013/04/loving-a-prodigal-pearls-and-butterflies/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=loving-a-prodigal-pearls-and-butterflies ). She’s a friend who has a grass root movement to encourage those who relate to prodigals. I think it would be an encouragement to you as it was to me.

  4. George Ninan says:

    Maggie, so sorry to hear about this. But so grateful to you for sharing your thoughts even as you are trying to deal with disappointment and frustration!
    Annie and I join others in praying for you.
    with much love,
    George and Annie

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