[In times of adversity], seek advice, but make sure it's from someone who has successfully handled adversity.
~~~~~~~~ John C. Maxwell
"Mr. Nativetex, this is Nurse Dunlap in the ER at UNM Hospital; we have your daughter here."
The words stung and burned as if you'd thrown Holy Water on the devil himself. Nurse Dunlap was very good at her job: I had a thousand questions, and she answered them all in two informative but staccato sentences. I hadn't even had time to start crying, and now suddenly it was time to breathe and plan.
The difference between standing and kneeling is that one phone call, that one doctor visit, that one diagnosis. There was a lot of adversity on OB yesterday, and here at TG we are tone deaf if we don't make some attempt to at least acknowledge it. We have some people who are hurting and afraid. Most all of us have been tested. We've bumped up against something that pushes back, maybe knocks us down. What now?
My old baseball coach used to tell us---repeatedly---that when you're in the field, on every pitch, ask yourself "What will I do with the ball if it's hit to me?" You should already know. Perhaps there's a lesson there. Adversity may come suddenly, or it may unfold over weeks or months. The ball's been hit right at you. What will you do? We have to deal with it; building a cocoon solves nothing. But we need not do it alone. We can rely on friends or family who have relevant experience. Similarly, if someone else who's struggling turns to us, we need to help. Even tapping out a simple response to an OB prayer request will let that person know that s/he is not in this by her/himself. If we say we're going to pray, then follow through because we said we would.
Blessings to those whose hearts are hurting. Today I will pray for your courage.
NT
James 5:16 tells us that "the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much."
To Allen Jones, a righteous man.
Bonus read: Check out the song "Blessings" by Laura Story. The chorus asks:
"What if Your blessings come through raindrops, what if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near?
And what if the trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?"
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