Whate'er My God Ordains is Right

On September 27, Mark and I left Beijing for an undetermined length of time. This past spring and early summer, I experienced some significant pulmonary issues including pneumonia and a collapsed lung. Although I took antibiotics to successfully treat the pneumonia and the lung re-inflated on its own, the doctor visits and subsequent medical tests revealed a severe allergy to a common fungus called aspergillus resulting in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). In addition, the tests revealed a non-tuberculin mycobacteria. Thankfully, the bacteria fell into the most common and easily treatable variety.

Because of the uncertainty of treatment and not knowing exactly how long the treatment will take and whether or not we should return to Beijing later, we packed up virtually all of our belongings that would fit in four large suitcases and four carry-ons, about 300 pounds of luggage. Anything that couldn’t fit stayed in our apartment. We left furnishings for some friends to live in our apartment while we’re gone plus a few good books.

After a four-day stopover in Nebraska for one of our Beijing friend’s wedding, we landed back home late on October 1. The next day I had my first appointment to lay out the treatment plan. The infectious disease doctor has been very thorough and accommodating to our situation living in Beijing. We discussed an 18-month regiment of antibiotics for the bacteria and will add treatment for the fungus a month or so in. Contrasted to our earlier understanding, we can treat these conditions concurrently with the potential to return to Beijing.

Some of our good friends like to ask us questions such as “How do you feel about …?” At one doctor visit during the summer, the doctor looked at me and said, “I don’t think you should go back to Beijing.” That stung. It hit me hard. I cried. Mark and I know that we have followed God’s leading in serving expats in Beijing. Yes, the work is difficult in some ways, yet so joyous in others. Yes, the air pollution is bad but we make provisions.

At this most recent visit, a different doctor looked at us and said, “There’s no reason you can’t take these pills in Beijing.” That also hit me hard. We had just moved everything and had not even unloaded all the suitcases yet. I cried. I wondered and still wonder what God is doing. After we made decisions, plans, and provisions, God changed the plans. We calculated, packed, etc. then we received several instances where things we planned on fell apart. What is God doing? I don’t know but whate’er my God ordains is right. I find comfort in the following song.  "And so to him I leave it all."

Whate’er My God Ordains is Right – Indelible Grace

1.  Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Holy his will abideth. 
I will be still whate’er he does
And follow where he guideth.
He is my God, though dark my road.
He holds me that I shall not fall 
Wherefore to him I leave it all.

2.  Whate’er my God ordains is right,
He never will deceive me.
He leads me by the proper path, 
I know he will not leave me. 
I take, content, what he has sent.
His hand can turn my griefs away 
And patiently I wait his day.

3.  Whate’er my God ordains is right 
Though now this cup in drinking 
May bitter seem to my faint heart, 
I take it all unshrinking.
My God is true, each morn anew 
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart 
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

4.  Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Here shall my stand be taken.
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine, 
Yet I am not forsaken.
My Father’s care is round me there.
He holds me that I shall not fall

And so to him I leave it all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaeM6a8Iks4