in·ci·den·tal
[ˌinsəˈden(t)l]
ADJECTIVE
incidental (adjective)
- accompanying but not a major part of something:“for the fieldworker who deals with real problems, paperwork is incidental” · “incidental expenses”
How much in life comes to us incidentally? I’m reminded of the phrases in the bible like “and it happened“.
The anesthesiologist gave us a questioning look when Jane said that she was having the needle biopsy of a lung mass as a result of a failed colonoscopy. Curious, and I suspect mildly concerned he was dealing with the right patient, he asked us how we had arrived to this point. After explaining that the failed colonoscopy led to a CT scan, which led to a full lung scan, which led us to this point, he said “Oh, it was an incidental finding”.
- And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech. –Ruth 2:3
- And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. – Jonah 4:8
How often do the events of life appear incidental, but end up being significant in our lives in some way. And it happened that the radiologist noticed a nodule on the lung.
My view is that incidental is another way of speaking about God’s providence. Without this incidental finding, we would not have ended up in this hospital room waiting for a needle biopsy which would prove that the mass is non-small cell Adenocarcinoma.
So we join with so many others who have walked this path, unexpected by us, but not by God. In his providence, there was an incidental finding.
The next step is what’s called an EBUS procedure which they will do the day before thanksgiving. They will sample lymph nodes to see if there is any cancer cells in them. Once that’s determined, we will get some additional clarity on the treatment plan. It turns out that they don’t always start with surgery. Sometimes they start with chemo drugs and then follow up with surgery. It all depends on the staging which the EBUS procedure will help us establish.
On the Greisen Side of Life 
Incidental to the believer is not “incidental “ to God. We are in God’s eternal plan for our lives. You covered the subject well. What and when is the next step? MOM
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So well said, brother. One step at a time. I’m glad it’s considered “slow-growing.” I prefer the sound of that. Sending hugs.