Cancer . . . a blessing?

Two mornings ago, Hubby and I were in sitting in the bed, watching TV and sipping our morning coffee. He was flipping through the channels and just happened to stop on The 700 Club. Now, we don't normally watch this show. Not for any particular reason except that mornings are usually busy for us. But anywhoo, he paused and we saw Tony Snow. For those of you who may not know, Tony Snow, is the White House Press Secretary. Well, soon to be former White House Press Secretary. He has submitted his resignation this summer. You see, he's fighting colon cancer. Hubby and I have been of a fan of his for years. You know, back when he was on Fox News. Anyway, back to the interview . . . oh yes, they were interviewing Tony Snow and he was talking about the President -- about life at the White House, about how he'll miss being there and miss seeing those familiar faces. And then of course, the interviewer asked, "What about the cancer. Do you ever ask why me?" And then he answered, "Never. When I married my wife, I didn't ask why me. When I got the great job at Fox News, I didn't ask why me. When I got the job at the White House, I didn't ask why me. I didn't deserve any of those blessings. So, why would I ask why me now?" Wow, how profound. I often wonder if I were in that same situation, with cancer or some terminal disease, would I be praising God. Would I be giving God the glory in the midst of my storm. Would I trust the Lord God Almighty. I sometimes think of my selfish nature. Would I beg and plead with God to keep me here to watch my little babies grow, and spend nights cuddled in my husband's arms. I feel like I haven't had enough time with him or with my children. And yet, I know that the Lord has a plan. And then these verses came to mind:

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 says:

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

How true, how true! And I came to this conclusion, I'd rather be dying in the Lord's will than living outside of it.

May God give comfort to Tony Snow and the many others out there suffering with illness.