I was running the race toward a wonderful finish line, stumbling, falling and limping along. It was a valiant effort until I stopped for a moment which became minutes, then days. I felt pity and anguish in my squalor and pain. I was reading and listening to my bible, but still felt a need for understanding. My judgement was clouded as I called out to my Lord, Save me from this pain and suffering. My lovely wife was called to minister to me. She let me know that I needed to get up and get moving, that having a pity party wasn't what God desired for me. I was angry that she would tell me that and cause me to face my affliction.
I was infected with a bacterial infection that started in early December, that proceeded to attack my body and the plates and screws in my lower spine. I was in trouble and had been given numerous antibiotics and treatments for pain. I was losing lots of weight, not wanting to eat to was the norm. The pain of getting up out of bed was at times too much until I had to get rid of fluids or waste. I was attempting to function as if all was normal, but each time I attempted the normal it knocked me back down hard. I was wallowing in self pity and hurt. No one understood my pain and agony of just moving around. I went from using crutches to a walker and really struggling to go anywhere. My foot was swollen, my back hurt and I was taking numerous pain pills and antibiotics. My weight and color were fading and I almost was at a point of asking the Lord to take me and embrace me in my sleep. I was depressed and saddened in my condition. My wife was my strength. My family and our friends didn't give me up. They kept praying for me, they lifted me up in the arms of our Lord. He would talk to me through His word, but I didn't want to hear it. I was under the influence of some powerful medicine unable to see clearly the path the Lord had laid before me. I was scared which was amazing for as a believer we should never be scared at what comes in our future. For He has plans for us.
His plan was for me to endure and serve Him. I didn't want to get up and get moving again. The Lord set a plan in place to get me going again. He set me up with Sonja's Neurosurgeon to look at my MRI's and CT scans of my lower spine. I was scheduled for an appointment in late April. He looked over the information and on a follow-up visit for my wife's neck surgery, he told me to come in on the 4th of April. We did that, I was really thin, and pale, still limping along, but clothed in thousands of prayers. Dr. told me to call my cardiologist to fax an approval for back surgery for the next day. The next day surgery occurred and the infection was biopsied, plates and screws removed. I was back in the race, getting back up and looking toward the finish. The diagnosis was Staph-B, an infection normally that diabetics get. I was placed on a pic line to remove the infection. Amen, the Lord now had my attention fully again. Had I waited till late April for the original appointment I wouldn't be writing today.
Each one of us has a moment like mine. We wallow in self pity and anguish about this or that when all the Lord wants us to do is focus on Him, that our time on this world is share His love with others including our enemies. Not his enemies, but ours. For God so Loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.
Can you relate? The next few verses explain the purpose. Live your life with all the passion and praise that you can give. Love one another, pray for one another, be thankful for one another.
I am so thankful for the blessing that God has provided to me and my family.
Love and God's understanding to you all.
Please pray for Kylee our daughter as she and many others have heard God's call to minister to others in 11 countries during the next eleven months. You may follow her by going to her blog page. I encourage you to pray for her and the G Squad and you may help financially if it is placed on your heart.
