Saturday, Dec 3, 2022
“Hope in the Obvious”
A couple of weeks ago while I was working outside, I was bitten by a spider, I think. I say “I think” because I really don’t know what else it could have been. I didn’t feel anything but noticed a little blood on a finger. I cleaned it on my shirttail and went on about my business. Later that evening, my finger started to ache and swell, and by the middle of the night, I was in some noticeable pain. I took some over-the-counter medicine which seemed to give a little relief, but not much. No redness. No strange colors on my hand. Just pain and swelling.
After almost two weeks of working around this finger, I finally decided to go to the doctor and have it checked out. In case you didn’t catch that, I waited two weeks.
That was dumb. The doctor also confirmed that my actions were dumb. I have access to good medical care, and I have good insurance. I’ve met my deductibles for the year and my schedule can be easily altered, even though I don’t want to admit it.
Not tending to my obvious needs is really silly, indeed.
Now I have proper meds and even an appointment to see a specialist in case I need it. I have genuine Hope that this will do the trick, and assuming it does, I’ll be back to full strength in no time. But dang, I’ve wasted two weeks on this, endured some substantial pain, and certainly avoided a few activities that I may have otherwise enjoyed.
I am thankful that no serious damage seems to have occurred. I am grateful for the work of the medical staff and I am pleased that I didn’t go any longer without treatment. But if I want to have real Hope in my future, I have to also maintain some Hope in the Obvious decisions and follow through with them.
What did I miss in the last two weeks because of my poor little finger? I’ll never know, but at least I’m not going to miss anything else! Better late than never!
Christmas Hope is better than medicine. When I focus my heart and mind on what is the obvious best for my overall “health” – my soul – I can fully experience the joy of the abundant life God desires for me. Sometimes I keep on going without stopping to recognize what God is blessing me with already: health, friendships, home, church, Faith, and a vocation I love. If I stop and tend to what is most important – my soul – then I experience God’s Hope, Peace, and Joy!
Today is a great day to tend to the Obvious! Ask God to show you the right priorities today so that you can experience the LORD’s blessings!
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33, NIV)