Give Thanks in All Circumstances.

This admonition from the Apostle sounds well and good. But is it realistic, one is tempted to ask? Terrible things can happen for which one cannot be thankful.
True, but the command says to give thanks to God, not to be thankful for the situation per se. And we have to admit—St. Paul actually did this despite the incredible hardships he endured. It is not cheap advice that he is giving us.
Professor Solomon Bison invited me to tea today, where his wife, Ruby, told me of her bout with ovarian cancer. She was eager to tell me, since she knows I am a cancer survivor myself, having had prostate surgery in 1999.
She was diagnosed on June 17, the day before her birthday and scheduled for treatment the next day. Her friends unexpectedly came that same day with her gifts and they were able to celebrate before she had to leave on the train next morning.
But she was apprehensive, naturally, as I had been, praying, “Lord will I be OK or is this my time?” But in a dream that night God indicated he would be with her and she would survive. Something similar had comforted me ten years ago.
Tests soon showed that she had ovarian cancer. They would operate and take her ovary, several surrounding lymph nodes, and part of her stomach lining.
However as she went for the testing, she and Solomon were worrying about the expenses. If she had to stay in Delhi for tests and then surgery and recovery they would never be able to meet the costs. They decided to trust God for that and go forward.
She met a Christian nurse who told her about an experienced surgeon who was local and who made a fast track for her to see him ahead of four others waiting for a consultation. He assured her that her condition was treatable and he could do it more locally at half the cost—about 100,000 rupees.
Friends at the college here, even students, hearing of her need had contributed 50,000 rupees. They needed double that. They were encouraged that God would supply the finances.
A pastor came to pray with them and left an envelope with Solomon with the warning not to lose it or let the children find it since it had some money in it. After leaving the pastor phoned and asked, “Did you guard the envelope?” “O yes, but I have not had time to count yet.” The next day he got an email asking the same question. Expecting a small gift from the pastor, he opened the seal and counted. To his astonishment it came to 55,000 rupees, meeting their immediate need with 5,000 extra! God was taking care as promised.
She was set for an MRI. But as she was being prepped she coughed. The doctors asked about that. When she told them her condition, they canceled the MRI since if she should have a coughing fit during the procedure it would have be done again later, doubling the expense. Once again, the expenses were cut down for her.
The doctors operated to remove the ovary, some lymph nodes and adjacent parts of her stomach. Lab tests would later show cancer only in the ovary—very good news.
But as she was being brought out of anesthesia suddenly her pulse went to zero and her breathing stopped. The doctors rushed in to get her to a room with oxygen and so forth. Solomon was panicking. The doctors ordered him to leave the theatre.
During this time she was in a lot of pain, since she could not tolerate the usual painkillers. She was so exhausted from the long ordeal. Then a most unusual experience came to her.
When her heart stopped beating she saw a table with a line down the middle. Her body lay on the other side of this line while she was on the other. A voice called to her. “If you are tired, just come to me.” She knew it was Jesus speaking to her. “O, that would be so nice to rest and go into your presence in heaven.”
“Just come, then.”
She could see a long line of funeral cars leaving the West Gate of the college.
“But the people at the college will be so sad! And my husband and young children—who will care for them? God, I need to go back…!” She was shouting now.
Someone placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Ruby! You are back—you are going to be OK.” The doctor was gently shaking her shoulder as she opened her eyes.
The doctor said she was “dead” for several minutes—no pulse, no breathing. And then she got a weak pulse that gradually got stronger. In a short time she was out of danger.
The next day in the ward recovering, she could not sleep. Nurses urged her to get some rest. But there was a child in the ward who would not eat. His father was in tears, expecting the worst. Ruby motioned would the child like a piece of her banana. For some reason the boy nodded Yes. So he took a piece of banana and ate it. Then he asked for more fruit. “Don’t worry about your son,” Ruby said. “I have been praying and God has showed me he will be OK.”
A woman in the ward heard this and spoke to Ruby. “I have been so ill and prayed constantly to our gods and all they do is taunt me and make fun of me!” There was much anger in her voice. “The true God can heal you,” Ruby said. “Do you want me to pray?” “O Yes!” “I will ask my husband for a New Testament for you to read about the love of Jesus if you like.” So the next day a friend came with the Testament to give to her. She was so happy as Ruby shared with her about the One who cares enough to have given his life for us.
The time came for her and Solomon to take the train back home. By mistake, the one who ordered the ticket got the wrong day—the train leaving just at midnight. He felt so bad. But they went to the station anyway, hoping something could be worked out.
There was a car for invalids on this run. They asked the train guard if they could find a seat now in that car.
“You have cancer? I say yes, and your husband too since you need his help.” God was opening the way.
As Ruby went to the toilet she looked into the next car. There were two empty seats. “Come, we can sit here!” she exclaimed. Solomon was unsure, since this was a car reserved for women only. But somehow no one objected when they sat down.
As Ruby engaged the woman next to her in conversation, she began to recite all that Jesus was doing for her. The entire car was silent, listening in. Several wanted to have a New Testament to learn about this God who touches his children so tenderly yet so powerfully. So Ruby got to witness to a number of Hindus during the train ride. Hindu gods are demanding and often cruel.
“In all your ways—good and bad—acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” This is Ruby’s way.
Having cancer is not fun.
But Ruby is beaming as she recites her experience. She and Solomon have seen God’s hand again and again.
They keep giving thanks in all things.