WHAT’S THE POINT?

In June 1995 my wife, Mavis, and I returned home after spending over two months in a distant hospital.  Mavis had undergone a bone marrow transplant in a last-ditch effort to stave off the ovarian cancer she had been battling for a year and a half.

We were so thankful to be home.  Our family had been in turmoil ever since the initial diagnosis.  During this latest period, we had left our teenage son and daughter home to fend for themselves while we were away.  Despite much support from our friends and church body, they had really struggled.

While in the isolation unit on the cancer ward of the hospital, Mavis and I observed our 20th wedding anniversary.  The hospital kitchen sent up a nice little frozen cake that read, “Happy Birthday!”

Back home in time for our son’s high school graduation, our hopes that the transplant had been successful were quickly dashed when we learned a month later that the cancer had already returned.  We were out of options.

As the cancer steadily consumed Mavis’s body, and with death on the horizon, I struggled to understand.  What is the point of THIS?  A forty-five year old mother of two-and my wife- who had coped all her life with medical and physical challenges, now was going to die of cancer?  This doesn’t make any sense!
John and the other disciples were with Jesus when they came upon a man who had been blind all his life.  The disciples asked Jesus why this man had been born blind.  Was it because of the man’s sin?  Or was it his parents’ sin?  There had to be a reason!  “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”

My wife spent her last three months at home, in bed, unable to care for herself, much like the blind man.  God graciously allowed me to care for her during this time and witness his marvelous work.  In her weakness, Mavis was a powerful testimony and inspiration to all who came to visit during those final weeks.  Everyone sensed the presence of the Lord at her bedside.  It was amazing!

Mavis grew weaker and weaker as the cancer took control of her body.  Then, when it was time, she fell asleep and awoke to a sunrise more magnificent than we could ever imagine.  Mavis was home.

But in her last weeks with us, God had displayed his wondrous grace through her weakness.  The apostle Paul records God’s words to him in 2 Corinthians 12:9.  “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

I had no more questions. God had answered them all.  This happened so the power of God would be displayed in her life.