Surely I have a delightful inheritance

Today has been a good day. I ended up taking the whole day off work because the roads are so bad, and I didn't want to stress about running here, there and everywhere. It gave me an opportunity to not rush around this morning, and to take my time getting ready for the day.

I took Kaitlyn to the sitter's house around 10 a.m., ran an errand, then got home with plenty of time to get dinner in the crock pot for tonight and make some lunch.

Mike took some time off work so he could run me to the hospital, and we arrived there a few minutes early. I got checked in and the receptionist took me back to the changing room. As I was changing into the hospital gown I was also talking to God, and this verse popped into my head:

"Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance." Psalm 16:5-6

Now, I have to pause here and say just how powerful the Word of God is. This is a verse that I never worked to memorize; I simply wrote it, along with a bunch of other verses, on some spiral-bound note cards that I've kept at home or work over the past 5+ years. When I need encouragement, I read through some of the cards. The fact that it popped into my head and I was able to recite it word for word is a testament to John 14:26, where Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit will "remind you of everything I have said to you."

So, as an encouragement, even passive, quick, "I-just-need-a-boost-of-the-Word" reading of the Bible is powerful and effective!

Anyway, I wondered why the Holy Spirit would choose to give me this particular verse. I meditated on this as I sat in the waiting room, and kept rolling the verse around in my head.

Then, it struck me that I have a delightful inheritance. This is the third time this week that the word "inheritance" has been significant. I mentioned in this post that I have an incredible inheritance of faith. My dad called last night and said that I should read Psalm 61, which also mentions an "inheritance of those who fear [the Lord's] name."

I began to think about the concept of an inheritance, and why was the Holy Spirit highlighting this?

That's when it hit me. The reason I went for a biopsy today was because of my family history. Because there is a question of what I may have inherited, genetically speaking.

Doctors tell you the facts; but God tells you the truth. And the truth he was communicating to me today is that I have a delightful inheritance. Not an inheritance of sickness and death.

Right after I had this revelation was when the nurse appeared and called my name. Sure, I was nervous about the procedure, not knowing exactly what it would feel like and whether or not it would be painful, but I also went into it with complete peace.

The doctor and the two nurses who did the procedure were awesome. We spent the entire time chatting, which made the whole thing go by quickly. And, really and truly, it wasn't all that bad. They all commented that I had a great attitude about everything, which I know is about 90% of the battle. I also know that my good attitude had a lot to do with all of the prayers being lifted up for me - I am so grateful to everyone for your prayers!

Mike and I walked out of the hospital at 1:00, so the entire thing only took about 30 minutes. I am at home now, enjoying a rare afternoon all by myself! I am starting to feel some pain, but still, it's not bad.

When I got online to write this post, I looked up Psalm 16. I was amazed to read the rest of the verses, and am once again encouraged.

1 Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I said to the Lord, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." 3 As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. 4 The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips. 5 Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. 7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.

8 I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Isn't God good? Another awesome thing is that prior to Christmas, I asked Sara to put a Bible verse onto a picture of Kaitlyn. When I looked at this particular picture it reminded me of carefree, unbridled joy, so I wanted a verse about joy. You know what verse I picked? Psalm 16:11. Amazing.


I should know the results of the biopsy by Tuesday, and believe me, I'll keep you posted!