PAIN, A NOT SO GENTLE REMINDER

PAIN, A NOT SO GENTLE REMINDER

I enjoy a clear sun shiny day, it lifts my spirit and invigorates my soul. When I am met with a day that is overcast, dreary, dark and cloudy, I remind myself that the sun is still there. Time does not stand still or stagnate. Time continually moves on, moves forward and in doing so constantly creates conditions for change, growth, progress and joy. I was recently thrown into a situation that reminded me of the importance of these principles. I was awakened early last Sunday morning by the most severe abdominal pain I have ever experienced. For hours I suffered trying everything I knew to relieve the pain but to no avail. Every passing minute seemed to be unending. Time was not my friend! Finally, my sweet wife took me to the hospital emergency room. My wife being an ICU nurse facilitated my getting rather timely attention and assistance. Then began the questions, the examinations, the diagnostic tests of blood work, x-rays, CT scan, ultrasound and physical examinations all the while giving me dose after dose of the strongest pain medications yet relief was not found. During this process the OnCall surgeon was brought in to consult as well. This amazing and gifted man was so gentle and concerned. I knew by reputation that I could trust him.  I've never before experienced a doctor like this. He was truly what one thinks of when you think of a physician. He genuinely expressed concern and would with a gentle touch reassure me that he would not rest until I was okay.  All the activity culminated in an emergency surgical procedure to find the cause of such intractable abdominal pain. With patience, confidence and skill, the gifted and intuitive surgeon finally located the unique and obscure condition within my  abdomen causing the severe pain and intervened with the surgical procedure to correct it. As I have passed through the minutes, hours and now days of recovery I have been in awe of the healing process. Feeling a little better each hour and day I can envision my return to good health. No longer is my vision of health impaired by the storm clouds of severe pain. I know that beyond the clouds restored health is shining brightly. When the disasters strike. When the challenges arrive. When the impossible is dropped right in front if us blocking our path, let's remember that we have not changed. Life has not changed. A temporary situation or conditioned has simply occurred. That same eternal physician who was there with us on the sunny day is still there with us when the clouds arrive. The great physician will help us through whatever spiritual, emotional or physical surgery we need if we will but remember He is there and call upon Him for help, wisdom, relief and peace. 

THE BIG LITTLE CHANGE

THE BIG LITTLE CHANGE 

Today my routine day ended in a very non-routine way. My day ended with an unscheduled visit to my dentist. There, it was my privilege to experience the joy of tooth extraction. My dentist removed a molar that had served me well for several decades. In recent weeks, the molar had become a source of pain several times when I would bite down to eat. It had become abscessed two or three times. Ultimately, it was painful all the time and was constantly oozing infection. What had at one time been a reliable and valuable servant, was now an impediment and source of pain. In order to remain healthy, I had to have the tooth removed. It was a painful experience, but I'm now free of a source of pain and infection in my life. I can now press on with life. 

Like my tooth, at some time in our lives, we will all have to acknowledge that something that had once served us well is now impeding our life and our progress. It could be an old habit learned early in life. Perhaps a friendship that has turned infectious. Acknowledge that it must go, and remove it! A little thing, once removed, can be a big change in our life. A big little change.