Three for three.  That is three weeks of three loved ones dying to cancer. First, my aunt Jeanette (West) Pope went to heaven. Second, my colleague and friend, Marilyn Westfall, joined Jesus. Then, last night before I went to Marilyn’s memorial service, I got the news that a friend since childhood lost her battle with cancer and is now dancing in heaven.
These ladies and their families have been in my prayers and on my mind. So, when I was reading the scriptures this morning my mind kept wondering towards them and how I need to make sure I live a life worthy of God.  I prayed, “Lord, help me to focus on Your Word now and please speak to me and through me.” Well, God must have said, “Honey, I am. Just wait.” Because the last scripture I to read was Proverbs 12:4, It says, “A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.” I tilted my head like a little puppy dog and said to myself, “Really? Cancer?” So I check in other translations too to see if that word occurred again.  Sure enough, it did. “A good wife is like a crown to her husband, but a shameful wife is like a cancer.”
I went to the American Cancer Society website to do a brief fact check. It says, “Cancers start because abnormal cells grow out of control.  Untreated cancers can cause serious illness and death.”  “Half of all men and one-third of all women in the US will develop cancer during their lifetimes.”
The first sentence made me compare cancer to sin like this, “Sin starts and can grow out of control. Continuous or unconfessed sin can cause death.” Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
James 5:6 states “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
Don’t let sin grow out of control.  Turn, confess, and live in freedom. Don’t live a life of disgrace and shame, yet live a life of goodness and worthy of God.  Remember the first part of Proverbs 12:4, “A worthy wife is a crown/ A good wife is like a crown to her husband” You are God’s bride. You are His crown.
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 (NLT) ^“After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! ²⁰ Yes, you are our pride and joy.”
James 1:12 (NLT), ^“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
Proverbs 4:8-9 (ERV)^, “Love wisdom, and she will make you great. Hold on to wisdom, and she will bring you honor. ⁹ Wisdom will reward you with a crown of honor and glory.”
Crown or Cancer?

As a side note….
Last night at Marilyn’s memorial service… what a testimony! I believe that almost every faculty and staff member (administration, teachers, cafeteria workers, substitutes, former colleagues, peer county evaluators, etc.) was in attendance. We took up about 120 seats on our own.  There were about 30 of Marilyn’s former and present students there also.  And note that this did not take place in our hometown, but 40 minutes away. She was a blessing to us all!  Her family was so gracious.  They have the assurance that Marilyn is in  no more pain and is dancing with Jesus now.  The speakers (a student, our principal, her son, and the pastor of her church) did a phenomenal job speaking of her praises of a life that not only talked about her faith, but clearly walked it.
When I exited out of church building, I looked toward the west and saw the most glorious sight.  The sun had just set, the sky was clear, the colors were a stunning yellow, orange, salmon, and blue, and there was a crescent moon with a bright star nearby.  I could just imagine that Marilyn was sitting on that moon, dangling her feet, blowing kisses and waving to us all, with a smile on her face saying “Hi everyone. I’m up here. All is well. I feel no pain. You all are beautiful. I love you!” What a precious vision to have after a glorious celebration of life ceremony.  A life to be missed. A life to be an inspiration to all who knew her.

(This is not the picture from last night, but close to it.) Hi, Marilyn.

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