One of the duties of getting older is annual checkups; a good physical, blood work, an eye exam, a pap smear and every “girl’s” favorite, a mammogram. My good friend, Karen Loritts, told her story recently when speaking in Chicago to the TrueWoman08 conference. With great humor, she explained that every November, which is her birthday month, she runs the gauntlet of annual medical checkups. She bemoaned her cholesterol counts and that she is now officially a mall walker. And she explained the all too familiar visit to get an annual mammogram.

If you know anything about Florida football, and this does relate I promise, you will remember their fans in the stadium with arms outstretched and moving up and down in a scissors motion. They call it “gator bait,” and the arm motions mimic an alligator’s wide-mouthed snap on its prey.

Karen used that same hand motion to describe the repeated smashing process of a mammogram. Yesterday I remembered Karen’s description as I sat in the small holding room, half naked except for a flimsy shawl made of green scrub fabric, waiting for my turn with the smashing machine. I was back for a second look. The radiologist wanted another view to be sure some density he saw was normal. The technician’s hands were freezing, the machine was like ice, and when she moved to take the picture she said, “Don’t breathe” as if I could if I wanted to! The discomfort is not mild and holding my breath was the only way to keep from saying, “Ouch, ouch, ouch, you’re killing me!”

Back to the holding room to wait while two photos were studied, then back for two more photos and another waiting session, then finally the radiologist knocked and came in to explain that all was normal. I started wearing the patch last year and the change in hormone levels changed the breast density. After getting dressed and leaving the building, I gave thanks to God for this good news and that I was free for another year from the smashing machine. I also gave thanks that I was free to serve Him as I had been, and that He wasn’t moving me to serve Him in the arena of hospitals and doctor’s offices, at least for now.

Giving thanks is a Christian duty that is not age related, but a practice healthy for all from the youngest to the oldest. However, I’ve found I am growing in this habit as I grow older, knowing more intensely that my life is not my own and that my times are in His hands. He knows the number of my days and the path I take. He knows the future including what will happen today. So giving thanks in ALL things is the only logical thing to do in light of His sovereignty over all. I know it’s not easy when the news is bad. I’ve been in that camp many times. Whether the news is good or bad, God is still in control and working on our behalf and for that and in that we give thanks.