I wasn’t happy as I lay there that morning. I was waiting for my radiation treatment but I had to get to church, I had to lead the discussion at Bible Study and I wanted coffee (emphasis on all the “I”s). Then it hit me; through the inconvenience of being late God had blessed me.

Usually one or two people occupy the waiting room; eyes in their laps lost in their own thoughts. If you’ve known me for any length of time you know that’s not me though. If I was going to share a waiting room with someone for 6 weeks I was going to know names.

There was Sylvia (her poodles wait for her in the car), Terry (she was almost done), Mr. Anderson (who absentmindedly rubs the angry scar on his head) and Maria. Maria was my blessing that day. Usually we have just enough time to say good morning, find out how treatment is going, and how each other’s weekend was. However, because of a late doctor I got to hear her story.

In July 2013 Maria had a mastectomy, no additional treatment needed; until it was discovered that cancer had been left behind. Fast forward a year; more surgery, chemo and radiation along with a diagnosis of incurable stage 4 breast cancer. She would have cancer forever, however long her forever was. She knew though in her heart that wasn’t God’s plan for her and she and her husband were trusting God for total healing.

We were able to share our God stories and how we were both relying on the strength that God gives us every day and looking for the blessings in the pain. I could tell that we had everyone’s attention and I said a quick prayer for those who were listening to our stories. Maria had a scan in December and they were unable to find any signs of cancer! What a morning that was. What I would have missed out on if the doctor had been on time.

A favorite verse of mine is:

“This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

If this is the day that God made then this is the minute that God made and this is the moment that God made and I am to rejoice in all of them even the ones that mess up my plans.

“We can make our plans but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 6:9

I know this is true for our life-size steps, or the little steps. We make our plans and are in such a hurry that we get upset with any delays or God-ordained detour.  However, God’s schedule is far better than anything we can come up with. I am very thankful a late appointment was His plan for me that day and I realize that when my plans get messed up to keep my eyes open for His blessings as I’m…. just living the thing.