A Sweetness Better Than Pancakes

A former colleague, and faithful friend, mailed me an IHOP gift card near the end of my radiation beam treatments for prostate cancer.  The enclosed instructions said:  "Use the day after your last treatment." I had a perfect gift card to a favorite eatery from a longtime friend.  What could be better on my day of freedom?  Yet, I did not know what goodness awaited me.

The manager was friendly and personable.  For that reason, I explained the significance of the card as he began the transaction. Robby turned and looked at me to say: "Two years ago I had the same treatment.  Look at me today, cancer free and feeling great!"  This supportive conversation continued for at least ten minutes. God was central to Robby's wise, caring words.  Even more aware of the gift God had given me through radiation, I went on my way rejoicing in the Lord's goodness in my new freedom.

Later, I e-mailed my friend saying:  "You gift was multiplied.  You do not know the goodness you have sent my way this day."

Two months passed.  I had a yearning for pancakes again, thus I returned.  I was surprised that, out of IHOP's many customers, Robby remembered me.  Next, another man stopped by my booth and told another hopeful discovery of being cured of cancer.  This was better to me than the five flavors of syrup on the table, much better.  God had used two servants to give me assurance that my future included good health.

Over the months I visited the restaurant more often.  Robby, a great example of a follower of Christ who ministers to passersby allowed me to enjoy more quality fellowship.  I grew to feel inwardly that I was an encouragement to him as well.

On a recent Sunday, I vowed to return home to eat lunch, due to my classic culinary leftovers in my fridge.  Yet, as I pulled away from church, I felt compelled to return to my IHOP.  Once inside, Robby approached my table and announced that day as his retirement day.  I was quite sad to lose another friend in a season when friends kept moving on.  Yet, I could not communicate that on his retirement day.  Thus, I shared how I felt the Spirit leading me to visit.  Robby replied:  "I have an above average number of my regulars here today.  I believe that what you say is true."

As sad as I was to lose contact with a brother whom I appreciated, I was thankful for a final conversation where I could affirm Robby, voice my thankfulness, and have a wonderful closure.

Yet my main thankfulness was for the reassurance that I am now cancer free, a survivor.  Meeting the people, I did in that sweet spot, convinced me that I was remaining in the land of the living.