“Oh Mom. God would be good if there was cancer,” she replied, sitting against the metal slatted headboard of the hospital bed. Her voice held that daughter to mother tone of reproof, and I pulled back from my embrace to find her, rather than exuberant, completely sober and in earnest.
It took an entire week of agonized waiting after the brain biopsy for the inconclusive findings. But when the white-coated doctor entered with cautionary optimism, I heard only, “no cancer was found in the brain tissue.”
I didn’t hear what it didn’t answer. I had deaf ears to his ominous predictions that there still could be cancer, or something else even worse. I had no inkling of all the sorrow that lay ahead around a bend I couldn’t yet see. I didn’t know the impact an inconclusive result of an undiagnosable brain stem lesion would have on all our lives.
But in that moment, in that little speck of hope, I bent over and put my forehead against my daughter’s forehead and gulped for air, as if I’d held it suspended for a week.
“Oh Charity, God is so good,” I breathed. “There is no cancer.” Because all the prayers of this mother for the last week went into that begging plea.
“Please don’t let there be cancer, God, please don’t let there be cancer.”
And as she sat there so vulnerable, with her young husband by her side, it seemed that all the prayers of a lifetime had been answered, until I heard those words.
“Oh Mom, God would be good if there was cancer.”
Because you see, she was right. God is God. He is intrinsically unchangeably good.
Regardless of the answer to my deepest prayers, God would prove Himself good. Not cancer, nor any other dreaded circumstance could shake or mutate His goodness.
In the months and years following, I often reminded myself of that truth spoken from the lips of a very sick young mommy with a baby and a two-year-old.
I revisit that reality every Thanksgiving, perhaps because thanks gets pretty shallow around the table at times. And as I think of all the things for which to be thankful…food, family, and friends, and then, I have to go back. I must remind myself that in the happy, but also in the sad, God is good.
As we list our gratefulness rarely do we include that flat tire, our health scares, a loved one gone, or the trial for which sleep flees. Yet, it is when the storm rages, in the turbulent waves that crash about, thanksgiving is the purest.
“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” (Hebrews 13:15 ESV)
I’m pretty sure that for some of you, this Thanksgiving will mean offering a sacrifice of praise. Your thanks will be given with gritted teeth in faith. For you can’t yet see through the blackness, the uncertain future, or the deep pain.For some of you, this Thanksgiving will mean offering a sacrifice of praise. Share on X
“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me.” (Psalm 50:23a ESV)
Affirmation of His goodness, even when it comes from a well of deep suffering is a precious sacrifice to God.
Paul and Silas had little to feel thankful for after being beaten and thrown into prison. But, in Acts 16:23-25, we find them in a dank prison, held in stocks, praying and singing hymns to God. And while the other prisoners listened surely they heard a marvelous sacrifice of praise which testified of a good God worthy of all praise. Always.Affirmation of His goodness, even when it comes from a well of deep suffering is a precious sacrifice to God. Share on X
This may be a season in which you draw your breath with tears, when the tunnel is long and the path dark, but as you look at the wonderful and the terrible of a past year remember, “Oh child, God is good even if.”
We had no idea that day, when we thanked God that there was no cancer, that real thanksgiving would become a long test in which the Father loved us faithfully. We didn’t yet recognize His embrace in the beginning of a trial that would change us all forever. And we couldn’t imagine how deepest thanksgiving often flows from a wrenching altar of sacrifice.
This Thanksgiving, as you offer praise and gratitude around the table, don’t forget to search out the gold that glints, perhaps just faintly, in the darkness. For from the sacrifices of praise comes the profound realization that God is enough. And He is indeed good.
Tony Vanderlaan
God is good all the time. What a wonderful reminder of being thankful for all things. Both the good and the bad are all part of God’s plan for each one of us. He sees the entire picture that we barely see.
Sylvia Schroeder
Oh sometimes I do wish I could see more, and then again I am grateful I can’t! Thanks Tony. I always appreciate your thoughts!
Cheryl Balcom
This was so good, Sylvia. We forget that God is unchanging, that his goodness doesn’t depend on our desires. Now I’m curious about what happened to your daughter? I’d love to read the whole story. 😊 ?
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. ❤️
Sylvia Schroeder
Cheryl, thank you so much! If you do a search on my website with “Charity” you will find much of the story. It really is a story of God’s goodness and graciousness.
Don Pahl
Perhaps the deepest knowledge of God comes in the darkest moments of life when we simply, devoid of sufficient understanding, acknowledge his goodness, his holiness, his majesty, and his limitless sufficiency!
Thank you, Sylvia. God continues used your family’s experiences to lift up the fallen and to glorify himself!
Sylvia Schroeder
I know you are right, Don, the darkest moments give us such amazing richness and deeper knowledge of Him…but I still don’t love going through them! Heaven seems brighter all the time.
Deb Spinelli
Thank you for your Biblical perspective in the midst of real- life weightings.
Would you please add me to your mailings? (I found your article through Tim Challies. ) Thanks, Deb
Sylvia Schroeder
Welcome Deb!! I’m so thankful that Tim Challies included a link to my blog and that you found me here! I’d be happy to add you to the mailings. Thankful for your encouragement on this Thanksgiving Day!
bill (cycleguy)
Hi Sylvia! I cam here after seeing Tim Challies’ link. This is so refreshing from the mere pablum of “God is good all the time; all the time God is good.” As a pastor of over 50 years, I have seen and experienced all kinds of heartaches. Your daughter shows much, much wisdom. Please thank her for me. One thing I am sure of is that no matter what happens I will echo Paul: “I know whom I believe and trust that HE is able…” Thanks for this great read on Thanksgiving Day.
Sylvia Schroeder
I’m always humbled and amazed to be linked on Tim Challies site! Welcome! Thank you for serving Jesus in ministry for over 50 years. I’m honored to have you read and comment at whenthehouseisquiet.com. Thank you for the encouragement on this Thanksgiving Day!
Marilyn Krehbiel
Wow!!!!! Syl, how precious!!! Yes GOD is good! aLL the time GOD is good. HE can not be anything but good. No matter what or He ceased to be good all the time!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!!!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Marilyn!
Laura McCormick
Dear Sylvia, I am thankful for the joy that waits ahead. It’s not as distant as it used to be.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Laura. I remind myself of that too! It’s always getting closer.
Lois S.
Thanks for sharing. It is always good to remember that God is good, even if….
Even when… it is cancer that takes the life of a 63 year old grandma, wife and mother, though she fought so hard. Even when… deaths in the family pile one on top of the other. Even when… “change and decay in all around I see.” Because God, “who changes not, abides with me.”
Sylvia Schroeder
Yes. Thanks Lois. I know this was a Thanksgiving with many emotions. Praying for you!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you for that testimony in the midst of grief and loss of family members. “God who changes not, abides with me.” Such precious truth. He is good.
Elizabeth Bradley
Sylvia today and always I am thankful for you, for your relationship with God that spills over and encourages those around you, for the godly girls you raised and for the influence you and they, especially Amee, have had in my life. Thank you for pointing me to Jesus in the hard times and the times when it’s easy to be thankful. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Phil!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Elizabeth for those encouraging words. You both are always an encouragement to us. Happy Holidays as you head for December!
Blanca Silva
What a beautiful article! Please add my email to your website. I’d love to be a part of this blessing.
Sylvia Schroeder
Welcome, and thank you Blanca! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Will add you to the family!
Karen Watkins
Sylvia,
How can I subscribe to your blog? I could not find a place.
Thank you,
Karen Watkins
Sylvia Schroeder
Karen, I would love to include you as a follower. We will add you. Thank you so much! I’m sorry you found it difficult to subscribe. I believe some changes were made, and we will get that checked. Meanwhile, welcome!!
Lora
Wow, this was powerful. I needed these words so deeply. I’m completely new here. I’ve never even heard of you nor read any part of your story, yet it touched me deeply. It is a reminder even in the darkest nights of mental health struggles, God is STILL good.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Lora. I appreciate your comment and I’m so glad the post resonated with you. Welcome! We will get you added to the list!