In my years serving alongside my husband in the role of “THE PASTOR’S WIFE,” I will never forget words spoken to a young, beautiful mom fighting for her health and yet, suffocating in the pain and misery of cancer and its brutal treatment!

Back home after a hospital stay, she was feeling weary and worn. Yet, phone calls needed to be made, and two daughters desperately needed the attention of their mother. Trying my best to take some of the load from her plate, I attempted the calls, prepared the lunch, and tidied the home while urging one of the daughter’s to not run to a solitary spot. I knew the daughter’s greatest need was time with her mom! So, no matter how much this felt out of my comfort zone, my plea to her was, “You have cancer, but you are still a mom!” Mom duties never get a vacation, even when we are dying! Certainly, her sick body needed rest and sometimes she was incapable of navigating that road but when she was alert and responsive, her daughters were her priority! Her life was short but invaluable for what was implanted into the lives of her daughters!

You may ask, how could I put that weight on a dying woman? This is not going to sound pleasant, but it was not about her, it was all about suffering to the glory of God and about the daughters she would more than likely leave behind to continue living, and Lord willing, live well.

We can never use sickness or anything we might encounter to “duck out” on our responsibilities on this earth; never think your ticket for not fulfilling your assignment is dependent on your circumstances. Sometimes, we need a day in bed for recoveries sake, but through whatever we encounter we are mothers (fathers) who are teaching, encouraging, and helping point living, breathing human beings to their Creator. This mom’s time was running out! You might think you have excess time. But in reality, all you have is today! We need more selfless sacrificing. We are all called to it. Praise God for whatever influence the Lord has allowed you to have in your spouse’s, child’s, neighbor’s, or world’s sphere! That is treasure that will last for eternity…Do not wait for tomorrow…tomorrow may never come!

What are you accomplishing while suffering through an extremely hard road God has called you to?

Over and over again in the book of Ezekiel the Lord God says: They will know that I am the LORD! He was bringing down nations, disobedient, sin drenched nations! WHY? So, all would know that He is GOD!

When our sufferings in this life stem from doing good opposed to evil, that brings glory to our watching heavenly Father! He desires for us to reflect where our trust lies: He is Sovereign no matter what has altered our journey, He loves us, and He will never leave us! Allowing the world to see He is enough no matter what we encounter this side of heaven validates: They will know that I am the LORD.

“Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps,” 1 Peter 2:20-21, NLT.

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth…Store your treasures in heaven…Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be,” Matthew 6:19-21

All we really have is today!