Last Friday I had an appointment with Dr. C, the surgeon who will be assisting Dr. K. He is the last piece of the puzzle that needed to be in place before a surgery date could be chosen. The appointment went well.
Our daughter-in-law, who works in a Mercy Health complex next to Dr. C’s Mercy Health office building, had told me that people often come to her building looking for Dr. C. She said she’s never heard anyone say a bad word about him. Everyone loves him. Encouraging information for sure! We were also impressed with him and his PA, both of whom appear to be quite young.
Donn accompanied me to the appointment–his role these days has sometimes been referred to as “Driving Miss Daisy!” He asked the strategic question, “How long…”
Dr. C. responded, “We like to do surgery within 30 days of this appointment. Dr. K and I have to coordinate our schedules but we’re pretty good at it.”
I had hoped that perhaps by the time I wrote this blog, I could report that a surgery date is in place. However, as it turns out, I’m still in God’s waiting room and thankful for the reminders from last week’s blog that “God is Sovereign Over Delays!” Also, thankful for the discipline of writing another blog on waiting as I share more of Charles Stanley’s devotionals.
His devotional titled, “God is Sovereign Over Delays” begins, Most people don’t like to wait, but have you ever wondered why? One reason may be that delays reveal we are not in control. Someone else is calling the shots. So very true! How we hate to be reminded that our illusion of being in control is just that—an illusion.
In the next paragraph, Dr. Stanley continues, …the One who controls all delays is the Lord. He is sovereign over everything in heaven and on earth, and even our time and schedules are in His hands. I agree with this. However, I think we also need to remember Daniel’s experience in Daniel 10 where he is told that the prince of the Persian kingdom (a powerful spiritual being) resisted the messenger God sent to him for three weeks. Eventually, as Daniel continued to fast and pray, the messenger arrived, assisted by Michael, the archangel.
My New Living Study Bible says, Answers to our prayers may be hindered by unseen obstacles. Don’t expect God’s answers to come too easily or too quickly. Prayer may be challenged by evil forces, so pray fervently and pray earnestly. Then expect God to answer at the right time. We need to do battle against the enemy if it appears he may be interfering with God’s answer. We can bind his power in Jesus’ name and ask God to send His angels to clear a path for His answers to come.
Then Dr. Stanley touches on a subject few of us enjoy discussing… Patience! He says, In the Christian life, patience is vital. Without it, we can’t effectively obey God, pray or experience the peace of resting in His sovereignty. We must learn to trust His judgment…
As I’ve navigated through perhaps the longest three or four months of my life, peace has become my most cherished commodity. I definitely affirm that peace has only come as again and again, I’ve rested in God’s sovereignty and placed my trust completely in Him as the fruit of the spirit of patience is developed in my life.
The last paragraph of this devotional says, The next time you face an unexpected or unwanted wait, remember that it comes as no surprise to God. Absolutely not! He’s more interested in developing godly character than He is in making sure your schedule runs according to your plans.
I love Psalm 131:2 which I read the other day. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me [ceased from fretting] (AMPC). I like the fact that this verse shows we have a role to play in calming and quieting our souls, even when we want to blame the condition of our soul on our situation.
Thank you, Father, that regardless of how upsetting our situation may be, we always have a choice. Show us how to calm and quiet our souls, as we exercise our patience to wait on you. Amen.
Health Update Thursday, 4/6/23
I wrote this blog on Tuesday, 4/4. Today I found this in a journal I wrote in twenty years ago: “Help me remember, Lord, that when my frustration level rises, it’s because I’m not in control and I’m not trusting you!” Wow! This week my frustration level had risen because I had hoped I’d have a date for my surgery by Tuesday. That expectation interfered with my peace, so this reminder that I’m not in control and I just need to trust helped me get back to peace. This afternoon I got an email about something I needed to check in my Mercy Health app. When I did, I discovered the date of my surgery which I then confirmed with Dr. Keenen’s office–it was only requested today so Dr. Keenen may not even know the date yet. Anyway, Tuesday, May 9, is the day I need to arrive at the hospital by 7:30 a.m. So please keep me and all three doctors in your prayers! Thank you so much. I had asked the Lord on Tuesday if I could please have a date for my surgery before I sent out this blog!