When I was young, my dad loved a song which began, “How can I say thanks for the things you have done for me, things so undeserved yet you proved to show your love for me. The voices of a million angels cannot express my gratitude. All that I am and ever hope to be; I owe it all to Thee.”

I can imagine Dad trying to belt out the chorus, “To God be the glory, to God be the glory for the things He has done. With His blood He has saved me, with His power, He has raised me, to God be the glory for the things He has done.”

I think of these words in light of Dad’s wrestling and deep disappointment about cancer. He had truly hoped to be made fully well.

Not having cancer, it was a challenge for me to see Dad caught in the suffering of longing for a cure. But now that I am dealing with my own story of suffering, I can see the intense desire, almost perseveration, to see everything resolved and wrapped up neatly.

It is tempting to believe I will finally be happy when my current burden is lifted, this mess made right, this injustice resolved.

But that isn’t the focus of the gospel. Healing, restoration, resurrection include the precursor of difficult stories.

I consider the invitation of the song- to God be the glory. I picture Dad finally able to belt this line with full confidence and deepest joy even when he did not receive the news he wanted about his cancer.

To me, this was the greatest victory. Dad didn’t survive cancer but he survived bitterness, discouragement and ingratitude. Dad wasn’t physically healed but his soul was deeply restored and totally at peace when he died.

This mystery of faith still surprises me as my life looks very different than I had planned. What joy! What freedom of spirit and deepest delight to sing “To God Be The Glory!”

“Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” – Psalm 115:1

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