Ridiculous Actually

I've been missing in action. I've been battling a colon infection. Thankfully the Lord heard my prayers. I was able to attend our oldest daughters college graduation this past Saturday. I actually felt fantastic! My steroid fluid filled body got dressed up. My hair was having a weird day. Didn't care. Nothing was going to stop me from watching our oldest graduate magna cum laude. An accomplishment for which my husband and I can take absolutely no credit. The girl worked herself to death. So the Wooten's got all fancy for the occasion. My youngest daughter was able to spend three nights with us. Had both my girls for graduation, Mothers Day, and my mother in laws birthday party. It was a beautiful weekend! 

And then Monday night my symptoms returned. Ironically (or hysterically depending on your perspective) one of the side effects is weight loss.  I, of course, did not get that side effect. I got the blinding nausea, vomiting, bloating, and stomach pain that is akin to child birth. Awesome. A girl can't catch a break. 

Saturday before 8AM a dear friend called me. She was beside herself. She had just given her husband CPR while on the phone with 911. He had a massive heart attack. He was in route to the hospital. Her grown son was driving her to the cardiac hospital 30 miles away. I prayed for her while she was on the phone. I have no idea what I said. The Holy Spirit took over and knew exactly what my friend needed at that very moment. My colon issues seemed trivial. Small. Ridiculous actually. For the next 48 hours her husband remained in a medically induced coma. This really shook my husband up. Badly. Robin just kept saying "I can't imagine. I hate that. That is awful". He repeated this mantra throughout the weekend.

I really pressed the Lord to reveal to me why so many people we love are facing such hardship. One could argue it's our age. We are all getting older --of course people are getting sick. In the case of our friend I was particularly at a loss--he is a runner and in excellent shape. What about the terminal illness? The issues many of us have faced with our children? All of us are believers. "Why, Lord?" For three days I waited to hear from God. For three days I got nothing. I've walked with Him long enough to know He was waiting for me to remove my thoughts. To be still. More prayer. Less of me. 

Tuesday morning while making dinner, looking out the kitchen window, I heard Him. Or at least I heard a whisper in my spirit. "I'm coming. Don't grow weary. This is a battle. There's not much time. Stay the course".  Was it God? I'd like to think so. I don't consider myself astute enough to have really deep thoughts. 

Life isn't always easy.  Right now the world is in turmoil. The enemy is temporarily in charge. He is doing everything in his power to trip us up. Discourage us. Disillusion us. Exhaust us. Now more than ever we must stay diligent. Trust. Believe. Pray without ceasing. The enemy won't win. When all is said and done we win the ultimate prize. Forever in the presence of His Majesty. Now more than ever we must learn to lean into Him. Total and complete dependance, trust, and faith in Him. The one who will right the wrongs. Heal the sick. More of Him. Less of us. Temporary discomfort until we see Him face to face.

In the mean time maybe we don't need to know why. Maybe the answer is the journey.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."

-2 Corinthians 12:9