A couple of years ago, I was at the dermatologist’s office for a completely harmless visit. I think I was looking for a new moisturizer or I had some other vanity-related issue. In the course of our visit, the doctor noticed a small mole on my shoulder, told me she didn’t like the look of it and asked if she could remove it. The spot looked fine to me but I figured, what the heck, she’s the doc. I told her to go ahead and take it off and I never gave it another thought.

Until my doctor called me two days later. You know it’s never good news when the doctor herself calls.  “Shelly, that mole we took off was cancerous. It’s melanoma. We have to schedule you for surgery immediately.” Um… excuse me??

Early the next week, I underwent surgery and now I have the nasty scar on my shoulder to prove it. Dan and I spent the next 4 days talking and praying and wondering what the future held – but that Friday, the doctor called with good news. The surgery was successful, the borders were clean, no chemo or radiation would be required. Whew, major sigh of relief and all thanks be to God.

Ever since, I've been very vigilant about regular skin checks. Two weeks ago, I was at my regular bi-annual appointment and my dermatologist found another questionable spot. This one was on my back. She told me “I’m going to take this one off but I’m sure it’s nothing.”

But two days later, I got a call. This time it was not my doctor but her surgical coordinator. It is definitely never good news when your doctor’s surgical coordinator calls you. “Shelly, it’s the same drill as last time. We need you to come in immediately.”

WHAT?? I have to deal with this again? Now? I’m kind of busy here. Besides my usual crazy life, I’m helping organize a national cupcake sale this week and I'm hosting a giant birthday party for my newly adopted children. GREAT.

We went ahead with our week as planned. We did the Cupcake Kids thing:



We did the giant birthday party:




And first thing this morning, I went in for my out-patient surgery. They’ll call me with the results in a couple of days.

No, this was not part of my regularly scheduled program – but it certainly didn’t catch our Lord off guard. There’s nothing about doing His work, no matter who you serve, how you serve or how dedicated you are – that makes you exempt from these situations.

The idea that we serve, we give, we’re faithful with our resources – and then no harm will befall us... well, that’s nice but that’s not the Gospel. There's nothing we can do to earn His love and there is no extra credit for good people. And by the way, there are no good people.

We should never give and do and love and serve because we expect to get anything in return. If you love Jesus, that is enough. And this other stuff is all just part of the job/life.

“Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep… Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told what to do? So you also, when you have done everything you’ve been told to do, should say ‘we are unworthy servants. We have only done our duty.” – Luke 17:7-10, NIV