I am no stranger to making deals with God. When I was a child, I would promise God that if I didn’t get into trouble this one time then I would never ask Lori E. for bubble gum again. And years later, when I was waiting to hear if I got the internship that I wanted I implored God once again-“Please, give me this internship and I’ll never think a bad thought again.” Later when my daughter was driving home in a bad snowstorm-I turned to God again and begged “Bring my daughter home safely and I will never ask you for anything else ever.” My daughter did make it home. She is a safe driver and had excellent snow tires, but I couldn’t help associating my deal with God as being connected to her safe arrival
So, was I true to my word? Was this the last deal that I was going to make with God? Was it the last favor I was going to ask?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
One month ago, I had a mammogram that appeared suspicious. That led to an MRI, a biopsy, and last week to another biopsy . The second biopsy was a surgical biopsy. And here I was lying on the surgical table thinking “Please God, just one more favor-let this not be cancer.” I’m sorry that I’m so vain and don’t want to lose my hair. I’m sorry that I am not ready to join the pink tribe.” ‘I will do anything , yes, anything, if these biopsy results come back cancer-free. I didn’t know what that anything would be.
Results came back on Thursday. I do NOT have cancer. I am beyond thrilled. I immediately bought some new clothing, and even scheduled my next facial. What am I going to do to fulfill my promise to God? I don’t know. One thing I do know, however, is that I will no longer promise to make no more promises.
Oh, and one more thing-I have these weird superstitious thoughts that if I’m nice to the nurses, reception staff, etc. then my chances of getting bad news go down. This is very similar to when I was a young adult waiting to hear back from graduate schools. If I was nice to the postman then he would surely bring me good news. I’m not referring to behaving in an unusually different way than I usually do. Instead, I’m talking about just being a little more cheerful and engaging.
And if it doesn’t help me get admitted to grad school, etc. at least I’d feel good about being cheerful, engaging, and smiling.
Barbara Greenberg and Jennifer Powell-Lunder are authors of the hit book, "Teenage as a Second Language: A Parent's Guide to Becoming Bilingual." They've set up an interactive website for parents and teens to listen, learn and discuss hot topics and daily dilemmas. You can find it at www.talkingteenage.com.
