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The Lesson in the Middle




I wanted to dance when I heard the good news.  I don’t need surgery!

When my doctor examined me last month, he suspected further care and sent me to a specialist in a city up north.  I had to wait only two weeks to get in to see him.  The specialist did not agree about surgery so I’m off the hook.

I learned an important lesson about my faith journey in the middle of the two-week period of waiting for my appointment to see the specialist.

I needed to be educated in medical knowledge and procedures so I could make a wise judgment for my future.  A friend suggested a support group with other women so I could glean info.  I joined.  I listened to their experiences and gained understanding.  I researched like crazy.  I became smart.

I also became fearful and sometimes angry.  I screamed at Baby, our spirited cockatiel, to shut up when he screeched too much and I noticed my husband spent more time in his man cave.

You know, I thought I was stronger than this.  Put me in a group of emotional women--the word rhymes with “witchy”-- and they began to rub off on me.  I thought I could keep their lousy attitudes separate from all the great practical wisdom they shared with me. 


It didn’t work.


We needn’t flee worldly situations we’re temporarily placed in whether at work, family or relationships that are hard for a season.  Sunday’s sermon, Standing in the Gap, taught me that a Christian’s calling is to pray, influence, and change the atmosphere.

I started to pray for the witchy women.  Out of the blue, I heard one gal ask: “Do you think a bad attitude hinders healing of this malady?”

Bingo!

I remind myself if I’m the only follower of Christ in a room full of witches; I am still a majority because He is with me.

2 Corinthians 5:17 tells me I am a new creation in Christ; the old has passed away.  But I tell you, the old me pops up from time to time.


As always, I have a whole new appreciation for you, my on-line Christian friends as well as my in-person buds.  You speak life into me.  Sigh.  It’s what people with hope do!  I feel rich again.  I’m in much better company!

Comments

  1. So glad you won't need the surgery. I think we all feel the way you felt, even when we "know" better when faced with what we might be facing. Thing is we hang on to what we know and what we know is Jesus and is ever presence in our lives, no matter what is going on.

    betty

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    1. You get it, Betty! Hanging on to Jesus in these situations is key.

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  2. I am so happy you won't need the surgery! We all go through moments of fear, and it is such a blessing to know that God understands and knows our needs.

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    1. It is fear, Linda! You could cut it with a knife in the support group. Reminds me of the way I use to be before Jesus.

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  3. This is a great life lesson.
    Happy for you for not getting that surgery. Whew. Such a relief.

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    1. I am relieved, Lux! Lots of praises going up throughout the days!

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  4. Oh, bless your heart, Mary! I am so sorry you had to go through all of this and especially the part of the medical scare. I am SO grateful you do not have to go through surgery. God is SO good, and I trust Him to send the healing you need. Praying for you, sweet friend, and for Tom, too, and sending you much love.

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  5. Mary
    That is such great news! No surgery! Don't be too hard on yourself. Fear can make us do crazy things but you were able to rally. You learned a valuable lesson about God's ways always being higher and better than the world's ways. AND you were able to share it with us! Thank you!

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    1. Thanks, Lisa, great pep talk for me, sister. Yes, God's ways much higher than the world's!

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  6. I'm so sorry to learn your mind was taking a spin on the tilt-a-wheel of Fear. (Been there, done that!)

    Having chameleon-like tendencies, I can see where a lesser person could be sucked into those 'witches' mentality... whether it be a support group, social club ... or, an office. Love how you pointed out, you're in the majority because He stands beside you. I have to remember that!

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    1. You know being with them was like being led down a drainpipe. My pastor's sermon came at a stellar time. Love you, much, Myra!

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  7. Sister Mary, lots of lessons here both in our spiritual lives and here in this world! Sorry to hear you had gone through such a scare. I told my husband it's hard to trust nowadays. Either you get those docs who wouldn't do anything and those who want to do something but it's not even necessary. "Why fix something if it isn't broken?"

    I believe we are always given "waiting period" in our journeys to learn those unseen things we need to develop and mature in. We know the Lord is always quick to save! So glad you continue to have "surgery of the heart" He does that any dart of fear can't penetrate completely the Armor you wear! ;)

    "Standing in the gap..." Sorta' like being "watchmen for the wall"... When we let our guards down, how vulnerable we are to the enemies' attacks! Be strong in the Lord's mighty power! Busy week but God is good. All the time...Love and prayers to you sister!

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    1. Right on,Rosel! Love the way you said it, too. "Surgery of the heart" poetic and perfect for my situation. Love you to pieces, my sister in Christ. Thank u for prayers; right back atcha.

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  8. Thank you for the reminder that "Greater is He that is in me than He [the whole bunch of them] that is in the world." Good attitude adjustment and I needed it today.

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  9. What a great story and reminder for all of us. It reminds me of the old saying, "Lay down with dogs, and you're gonna get up with fleas".

    The difference, as you well stated, is our Father with us... He is always the majority! Well said.

    Glad to hear that you don't need surgery!

    Witchy... clever!

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    1. I learn so much from your culture. I never heard that saying about the dogs. You're always teaching me!

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  10. Oh Mary what awesome news my friend! No surgery! Well I must say that I needed desperately to read this today! I had such an encounter with a woman yesterday that I am going to admit (CONFESS) that I was on the verge of not only calling her a (witch) but popping her dead in the mouth! NOW I SAID IT AND I FEEL BETTER! However................I cried out to God and told Him that HE BEST HELP ME QUICK cause my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak! Mary I am telling you that in that moment I felt such pity for this lady. So much so that I told her to have a good day and I hoped the Lord blessed her! Now I won't go into detail on what lead up to this outrage of MINE within myself but let me say this....I have felt my spirit being under attack for almost a week now and I also know JUST HOW vulnerable we can to the attacks of Satan! Thanks for sharing your heart sweet lady! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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    1. Thank you for that share, Cindy. Helps to know I'm not alone. The Bible teaches us to be encouraged as we are all fighting the same enemy and he's ruthless.

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  11. No surgery is great news. We all go through times of testing and strengthening of our faith and reliance on Jesus.

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    1. My heart is much lighter knowing no surgery for me! Yay.

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  12. There is a time and place for surgery, but often it is un-necessary and not needed. I am glad you problem did not need surgery. The woman who spoke up, was so right on with her remark. Yes a bad attitude can create illness. I am reminded that a merry heart is like a medicine, and how important it is to learn to control our thought life. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.

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    1. Thanx for that reinforcement about having a good attitude. It breeds healing!

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    2. Thanx for that reinforcement about having a good attitude. It breeds healing!

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