This past weekend was one of those weekends. I had a lot going on, {well, I always do these days} but this was a Friday-Monday where every day had a plan. Important plans and important events in fact.
A week ago my face started hurting... really hurting. I figured it was my sinuses. Every Fall they seem to take a beating; not sure why, must be something in the air. This time was different... every day was pro-gradually more painful than the day before. Ibuprofen was not helping what now felt like a jackhammer on my jaw.
Jesus, I ask that you heal my body. Make this pain go away so that I can be productive...
After a few sleepless nights, I finally broke down and scheduled a dentist appointment for Friday.
On the way to my appointment my husband prayed again with me. Then I mentally began making adjustments to my schedule; arranging around this small hiccup.
If I stop by here on the way home, then when I get home I can finished this... once that is done I can start on this.. and have this ready for tomorrow.. then after this event tomorrow, I can make time to work on this....
And then with one quick x-ray my weekend's blueprint changed. Dentist said that one of my wisdom teeth {yes, at 25, I still have not had them removed} was infected through the root and "must come out today."
Oh, great. I really do not have the time for this.
If you know me at all, of course I thought after this little thing called, "Oral Surgery" I would be able to just take some pain-killers and go on about my plans. Then Dr. Teeth-Puller gave me a list of dont's.
How did he know what I had planned??? Then the numbness wore off. No one had to tell me. I now understood why he recommended I "clear my schedule." Frustrating.
Every day I was sure that the next I would be able to get up and go... and every day I had to cancel my appointments, lie on the couch, and allow my husband to take care of me.
One day a dear lady in our church stopped by with dinner. {Soup of course}. Then she asked if she could do our dishes and clean up our kitchen while we ate! {It's amazing what few days out of commission will do to one's kitchen} The next day, two of my girlfriends came by to visit, and one brought her oh-so-yummy Chicken-&-Dumplings soup. Talk about feeling loved and blessed.
Yesterday, after four days of doing nothing, a frustrated me began to ask the Lord,
Why didn't you just heal me? I know You could have instantly. It would have been nothing for You. Why not just heal me and let me go about as planned? {Especially since most all my plans revolved around ministry.}
And softy- with His word- He reminded me:
"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth be beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul..." Psalm 23
The truth is- I believe that in all of our busyness God knows that sometimes we need a break. So He brings about something that causes us to lie down and rest.
It is a gift from a loving, heavenly Father.
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
