"Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you…" Exodus 23:25
This latest offering to my Blog Page has been on my mind, prayers and thoughts for some time. I don't share it to curry any sympathy, but to encourage and support those who are facing a season of challenging and concerning health issues.
"Look to Jesus" was a statement relayed in past sermons by Fouina, and again on Sunday that really spoke to my heart, and anchored me even more to the Jesus Who calms the storm, and rebukes the tempest of fears and thoughts harbored in the heart.
Fouina drove me today for one of the many "minor" procedures I have been put through since November of 2020. This one was the most worrying. A Scripture in Song came through the Christian Radio Station we listen to daily, that reminded me of the unfathomable Mercy and Grace of God, the unspeakable Peace of Christ, and the unmatchable Comfort of the Holy Spirit.
"You are my hiding place,
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You.
I will trust in You
Let the weak say I am strong
In the strength of the Lord!"
Fouina and I have always tried to keep up with our Doctors appointments over the years, and this year for me, has been filled with "extras" that have left me fatigued, grumpy, depressed and many times spaced out. Yet God never let His hold on my life weaken. I had never been to so many Specialists in the Medical Field in my life, and subjected to pokes, prods, X-rays, blood work galore, injections and tablets to be taken daily, that invaded me from the top of my head to the soles of my feet, all the while trying to dodge the Pandemic of the Corona Virus that was sweeping the World.
If you know anything about me, I am one of those Patients that "informs" the Doctor and self diagnoses, much to the Professional's polite laughter and stupefied facial expressions. I learned in this season that many of my sisters in Christ, friends and acquaintances were going through more difficult battles than me both Physically and Spiritually, and the Faith of these women encouraged and strengthened my own health journey. When the storm hit and the waves threatened to drown me, I hid myself in God in my quiet moments, and He surrounded me with absolutely amazing Sisters in Christ, as well as my Dear Mum, Siblings and Children, who became the embodiment of His Shelter and Assurance. No one more than my Fouina - God has blessed me with more than I deserve in this wonderful and exceptional husband!
When one of the Specialists I was referred to by Primary Doctor said to me, "Tui (coz we tight like that, lol), I am not going to say its high, medium or low. But I will say its reasonable." I took a deep breath, and I cried for a moment before I responded. I looked over at Fouina, and we smiled at one another. I cannot describe the overwhelming peace that was poured into my heart, and continued to remain as I went for my check ups and preparations leading up to today.
Due to the Pandemic Restrictions, I had to go in on my own, while Fouina waited patiently in the Parking Lot. Prior to that we were able to sit in the Foyer and wait together for the Nurse to come and get me. "Who ministers to the Minister" in situations such as this? Fouina has always emphasized to me and our children, that we have been called to serve God FIRST and LAST , faithfully loving and tending to the Body of Believers, and unconditionally in every season, because it is Jesus Who will be there to minister through the Holy Spirit to our need.
I know that my "food and water" has been wanting physically and many times detrimental to my Spiritual life. My Worship Life too is in need of the recalibration: "Less me and more of Jesus", so that I will not be ungrateful to the Healing that my God has blessed me with. The "reasonable" proved to be "negative" and I am trading my sickness for the joy of the LORD.
