Today I had a diagnostic exam that I am supposed to have
done every 6 months. I have a surplus of calcium in my body (eyes, skin, teeth, etc., so
it is only fitting that I would have it other places too). For me, this 2 hour
visit has always been an inconvenience. Just something that needs to be done “just
in case”.
This morning I was in the waiting room happily sipping my
complimentary coffee, listening to Andy Griffith playing from the mounted TV
and checking work emails. In my mind I could think of many worse ways to spend
a Thursday morning. During this moment of solitude, a lady walked in with a
definite look of fear in her eyes. She sat near me so I struck up a
conversation. It turns out this lady was a breast cancer survivor. It had been
13 years ago. But her annual exam had shown signs of new trouble. This could be
nothing, she admitted, but I could see in her expression that a flood of
memories from past trauma was washing over her. I grabbed her hand and said I
would pray for her. As I let go, another lady walked in and seemed eager to
talk. Her mother had passed away from breast cancer and this lady had some
things show up in a routine exam that were a cause for further testing. Then,
another lady joined our huddle. She had already had her diagnostic, had seen a
technician and was directed to change and go back to the waiting room. She
seemed optimistic that this was good news, but the rest of us glanced at each
other nervously. We knew this meant something else. I was about to ask the
ladies if I could pray for them when my name was called. My time in the waiting
room would be over.
As expected, nothing had changed for me, and I was fine to go until my
next imaging appointment. Normally I just do a small “I knew it would fine, but
always thankful” kind of prayer. But, this morning was different. What for me
was just an inconvenient happening, might just be a life changing moment for others.
How do I selfishly now go about my day as normal?
Every day I go through life so absorbed with my own
happenings. I pray that the Lord will open my eyes to opportunities to do more
than just hold a hand, but to really help people through their journeys. I am
so thankful for a job/ministry where I actually get paid to show people comfort
or connect them to others who can. But even still, how much do I miss because my
eyes are too focused on me and mine to look out on others?
God was gracious to me this morning, and I
am thankful for the reminder to pay forward the comfort that He has given me
over the years. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says it better than I ever could - “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can
comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same
comfort God has given us.”
Lord, please give me eyes to see, ears to hear, words to
give and a big heart to listen.
Always Sincerely,
Shannan
:)
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