We are almost there. Home, that is. Kentucky feels so close that I can almost taste the spoonbread. In fact, part of me is already there, thinking of all the things I need and want to do and the things I’ve missed, like my bed and my coffee pot. If all goes well I’ll even be back to work part time by the end of the month.
I had my last (for this trip) doctor visit yesterday. First I saw the ophthalmologist for my ocular GVHD. My eyes are much improved and, barring any setback, I won’t see her again for three months. After that I met with the doctor monitoring my skin GVHD. Again, by the grace of God, it’s almost gone. I’m doing so well that I was able to have my CVC (central venous catheter) removed yesterday. This is the first time in a year that I have not had a catheter protruding from my arm or chest. Freedom! All that stands between us and leaving Houston is getting labs on Wednesday and packing. Christi’s mom, Jean, is flying back tonight to help pack and drive home. She’s been a real blessing to us.
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| By choko (you are here) [Public domain or CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons |
Acknowledge Your Circumstances
For two more days, though, we’re still here. Our circumstances are very good overall. My recovery is going well and I feel good most days. But the reality is that my health is still tenuous, exacerbated by the fact that I’m FLT3 positive and have a very compromised immune system. It’s important to recognize this and continue resolutely in prayer and faith, not letting down our guard.
Jon Acuff, in his book Start (1), says, “You have to be brutally realistic about your current circumstances and wildly unrealistic about your future circumstances.” So while we acknowledge our situation and the potential pitfalls, we are optimistic that I’ll beat the odds and be healed. What is impossible (unrealistic) for men is possible for God.
If there is one thing that I’ve learned over the last year it’s that, if I obey God, then I’ll be where I need to be. Take last Wednesday. I wasn’t even supposed to be at the hospital that day, but had some appointments added late to address the GVHD and FLT3 positivity. I was riding back on the shuttle when a young doctor started talking to me. Before I knew it she was talking about the power of Jesus’ name and prayed for me. She actually said something to the effect of “Doctors don’t heal people, Jesus does. The doctors are just the instruments”. Our entire conversation was very uplifting and has positively affected my faith ever since. That day, I was where I was supposed to be. I was there as a result of my present circumstances for a divinely authored appointment, providing me hope and encouragement.
What is the Destination?
After feeding the 5,000 near the Sea of Galilee, the disciples went out on the water looking for Jesus. A storm blew in and they were terrified. But soon they saw Jesus walking on the water toward them. He reassured them and then got in the boat. The Bible then says that they immediately arrived at their destination.
Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination! (John 6:21 NLT)
If Jesus is in the boat, then you’re already at your destination, even in a storm. See, Kentucky is where we’re headed. We really want to get back, and rightfully so. I have this unfounded sense that everything will be okay if we can just get home. It may be, but the trial doesn’t end when I walk in my front door. Berea, KY is not really my destination. Being a part of God’s work—whether in Houston or Berea or somewhere in between—that is the true objective. It starts by understanding our circumstances and continues with the wild, unrealistic-to-the-world expectation that God will do something miraculous. Where Jesus is—that’s where I need to be.
1. Acuff, J. (2013). Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average, and Do Work that Matters. Brentwood, TN: Lampo Press.
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