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Meandering along the azure ocean’s shore, I pick up treasures: seashells and sea glass in shades of blue, pink and green. I delight in their exquisite beauty.
The ringing of the telephone shattered my daydream, bringing me back to a reality I didn’t want to face – my days filled with turmoil and suffering.
With a deep sigh, I picked up the dreaded bearer of bad news; lately that’s all this contraption seemed to bring. I wondered not for the first time, why someone had to invent it.
“Hello?”
“Sheila?”
“Yes.” I recognized the voice immediately.
My heart began a not so happy dance against my chest.
“This is Dr. Waters. We have the results of your tests. I’d like you to come in and see me so we can discuss the best course of action for you to regain optimal health.”
“Oh. Okay.” I wondered if she could hear the tears in my voice. I knew what she was going to tell me. I didn’t know if I could bear to hear the same admonitions again.
After telling me she’d connect me with the receptionist and my appointment was made, I curled into a fetal position on the bed and wept.
I had tried so many times to lose this weight I was carrying around, always to no avail. Sure, I’d stick to a diet for awhile. Then the frustrations of life would come crashing in around my heart, and I’d turn to food for the comfort my soul craved, forgetting that my body really couldn’t handle the stress I was putting on it by eating so much.
The cool air of the mountains feels wonderful on my hot face. I stand on the trail looking back at how far I’ve come and then ahead to how far I had to go. I’m not daunted by this climb in the least. I’m fit and trim and know I can make it. The bright spring beauties along the path beckon me to keep climbing.
The shrill ringing of the telephone brought me off the mountain quickly. I must’ve fallen asleep in exhaustion from my crying jag. I wished the dream had been as real as it seemed.
Not again.
“Hello?” I said sharply.
“Sheila? What’s eating you?”
“Oh hi. Sorry.” The call was from my best friend, Kristen.
“Hey, listen, I have an opportunity for you I think you should snap up.”
“Oh yeah? What’s that?”
“The membership director here at the fitness club is looking for someone to do some filing only three hours a week, in exchange for free membership.”
“Are you serious?”
My downtrodden mood of just moments ago did a silver quick change to perkiness. I pictured an old-fashioned coffee percolator perking.
Before I had fallen asleep on the couch I had been crying out to God to please do something to help with this battle I had fought for so long. Could this be His answer? It would be wonderful to get out and do something instead of just sitting around all the time, while my husband and daughter were both gone all day. This could motivate me to become a better person all around…
“Sheila? You there?”
“Oh… yeah, sorry. My mind was wandering.”
“Well, what do you think?”
“I think this is God’s answer to my desperate prayer of just moments ago.”
Six Months Later
I sat nervously in the room waiting for Dr. Waters. This was my checkup appointment after working out faithfully three days a week for the last six months, and drastically changing my eating habits. I had been right; being out of the house had changed my whole perspective on life. I wasn’t wasting time any more, but kept my house clean and was writing more. Most importantly, I was developing an intimate relationship with God again.
The door opened. Dr. Waters entered, a huge grin plastered across her face.
“Sheila, it’s good to see you. You’re looking fantastic! Let’s look at your numbers,” she said, as she pulled the lab test results from my folder. Sitting down next to me, she showed me the results from the last two blood draws I’d had.
As Dr. Waters talked, showing me the comparisons, my mouth dropped open in astonishment.
My cholesterol was now in the normal range.
Diabetes was no longer a risk.
My blood pressure was normal.
Fifty pounds were gone.
My heart rejoiced.
All because of a telephone call in answer to a desperate prayer.
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