“Give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
For most of us, an attitude of gratitude does not come naturally.
As children, this attitude likely had to be cultivated in us by parents who constantly
required that we say “thank you”. A selfish people, we often forget that we are
not entitled to anything in this life, and that everything we have is a gift.
Every good gift in our lives has been given to us by a perfect, loving God. Until
I received my cancer diagnosis, I rarely reflected on what a precious gift the
sunrise was, or that the amazing harvest moon that rises in the early evening
was lovingly placed there by a Sovereign God. During my A.D. (“After Diagnosis”) days, nature was suddenly
filled with beauty that had gone unnoticed during my busy life. The hours I have
before me every day are now a precious, precious gift. As a cancer patient, it
is tempting to look at the hours I might lose on earth, rather than the hours I
have been given. The only way I know to shake off my despair at what I might
lose is to focus wholeheartedly on what I have now. By listing my blessings and thanking
and praising God for each one of them, my attitude shifts from self-pity to
gratitude. If I begin praying in this spirit, my heart often changes by the
time I reach my petitions. Many of my petitions don’t seem as urgent or important after I have spent time praising a Sovereign Lord and reflecting on
the amazing blessings with which He has surrounded me. And what is one of those
greatest gifts? LIFE! I have this day, and many days, to celebrate with loved
ones, to make memories and to make a difference.
Last spring, a long-term cancer survivor recommended I read the
book The Lies We Believe by Dr. Chris
Thurman, and in the book is a chapter entitled “You Are Going to Die.” The
author fills the chapter with wonderful quotes from famous trailblazers, such
as:
“I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent
glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to
live, not just exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I
shall use my time.” –Jack London, after facing death in the Yukon
“Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss
in life is what dies inside of us while we live.” –Norman Cousins
“As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so life well-used
brings happy death.” –Leondardo da Vinci
Dr. Thurman ends his chapter with these words: “You have the
gift of life to use as meaningfully and abundantly as possible. With all that
you have in you, give life your best shot. Remember, pale death beats at your
door. Live!” And to that I would add,
Be grateful! Thank God for your life and
praise Him!
Father , thank You for
this gift of life. Thank You for every breath I take, for each time I inhale,
and for every time I exhale. Help me to fill each hour of my day with
thanksgiving for what You have given me. Help me to rely on Your strength to do
this, realizing that I am a weak, selfish person who thinks too much about her own
needs and her own desires. Keep me from wasting this precious gift of time, and
help me to redeem each hour, for my good and Your glory. In the name of Your
precious son, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
