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PROGRAM D-7739
If you’ve been a partner with us for awhile, you are no doubt aware that my name changed from Mary Whelchel on December 31st of last year, when I was married to a long-time good friend. That was a change that was not on my radar screen, but it was a blessing and a gift from God to both of us. Interestingly, that name change was the beginning of some other significant changes for me in 2016.
Was 2016 full of lots of change for you, too? You know, even good change, positive change, has its challenges and brings stress into our lives. But negative change is even more stressful. I watched a good friend this year as she approached her final days. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which normally means only a very few months to live, God graciously gave her two and a half years after the diagnosis. But she went to be with Jesus in October.
Her ability to face her upcoming death was amazing. She made the most of every day she had. She spent time with her large family, taking each young grandchild for a day, to express her love and her hopes for them; to give them memories of their Grandmother which will last forever. She kept all her church ministry jobs, giving to others as she had done all her life. She never once used her sickness as an excuse. Her hospitality was legendary, and she kept having lots of people in for meals and overnight stays.
So often I wanted to say to her, “You can take it easy; we want you to take it easy; we want to do for you.” But she would have none of that. She kept a big picture in mind—how she wanted to be remembered by her family; how she wanted all of us not to worry about her, but just to enjoy our time with her. How she wanted to end very well—and she did.
In the midst of tough situations, terrible diagnoses, bad news, or heartache of any kind, we can learn as she did to live everyday with the big picture in mind. To think of the legacy we are leaving; to make sure we are role-modeling for those coming behind us how to face life’s hard times with God’s grace and peace.
As you look back over 2016, even if there were few cloudless days, be sure to thank God for bringing you through, for his presence with you each of those difficult days, and for his promise that the future is secure and bright, because you will be with him forever.