Birthday Gift
Today is my mother’s birthday.
Today is also my birthday.
And also my niece’s birthday – my brother’s daughter.
Three generations of girls, all with the same birthday. It would have never happened if we had planned it.
Last night, Mom and I spent the night with Dad at the hospital. During the last couple of days, he has had every inch, from his curly white hair to the tips of his toes, poked, prodded, scanned, and analyzed.
Mom and Dad
“It looks like a small bowel obstruction,” said one doctor. “A sign that his cancer is back.”
“His pancreas is slightly inflamed,” said another doctor.
“I think he has gallstones,” said still another.
“His lymph nodes are swollen. Probably the cancer,” said a radiologist.
Test, poke, prod . . . guess, guess, guess.
All the while, you all were pray, pray, praying.
Last night, as I tried to get comfortable on the vinyl hospital recliner, I said, “God, you have been so good to me, and I know I have no right to ask this. But could you please grant me a birthday wish? Could you please let us hear some great news about Dad tomorrow?”
This morning, Dad’s oncologist came in. She is a beautiful young doctor with a bright smile and a cheerful manner. She said, “Mr. Smith, I don’t see anything that tells me your cancer is active. What have you been eating lately?”
After much study and discussion, the doctors have discovered what is wrong with my dad.
Too many beef fajitas!
With his surgery last fall, he has to watch his red meat and fat intake. Recently, he felt so great, he allowed himself to slip back into some of his old eating habits.
Yes, there was an obstruction. Yes, there was severe pain. I don’t think Dad will be eating any more beef fajitas anytime soon.
Talk about a great birthday gift! God absolutely spoils me, I tell you.
Ephesians 3:20 – 21
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”
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January 30th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
OK! this is good news, indeed!
Happiest Birthday, Renae!
Fajitas! I do declare!
January 30th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
What wonderful news!! God is soooo Good! And I also wish you a Happy Birthday (guess you have already got that though eh?)
Love ya,
~mp:)
January 30th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Wonderful, wonderful news! Oh, Renae, I am so glad I could cry! Much as I like beef fajitas, I guess I would be willing to give them up, too! What an amazing birthday gift you got today!
January 30th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Great birthday gift, Renae! Glad to hear it was only what he ate. That is great news.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Way to go, GOD! I know it must have been a great birthday for you!
January 31st, 2009 at 3:43 am
Happy birthday to you,your Mom and niece.
What a wonderful birthday wish came true.
January 31st, 2009 at 6:58 am
Thank you all so much! I told you there is power in your prayers!
God is so good. I don’t have words.
January 31st, 2009 at 8:23 am
Hi, Renae,
What wonderful news about your Dad. God sure has been busy answering prayers this week. He’s an awesome God. Looking forward to working with you on the anthology.
January 31st, 2009 at 8:24 am
Oh, yes, forgot to add. Happy Birthday and may God continue to bless you in the coming year.
January 31st, 2009 at 9:25 am
Renae,
Belated happy birthday to you and all the birthday girls. It’s obvious you had a joyous day.
Praise God for the good news about your dad.
January 31st, 2009 at 10:31 am
Wow!!! Just read your post on your dad! What an awesome birthday present that was for you!!! Thank You, Jesus!!!
January 31st, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Ya-hoo! Wonderful news, indeed, Renae!
Happy Birthday. I’ll bet this was the best birthday gift of your life.
Grace & Peace,
Jean
January 31st, 2009 at 10:42 pm
That’s wonderful news, Renae! Fajitas, cancer – I can see how they could be confused . . . agh! Glad they figured it out, though.
February 1st, 2009 at 7:04 pm
God is soooooo good!! i keep your daddy in my daily prayers…from our lips to God’s ears.
buon compleanno a te!!
February 1st, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Again, thank you all so much! Yes, it was a wonderful birthday, as you can imagine. And having all of you to celebrate with makes it even better!
February 2nd, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Praise the Lord & Happy Birthday!!!! So happy for you…
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Renae, what wonderful news!! So happy for you all!