Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: JAM (02/09/17)
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TITLE: Defining Moments of Grace | Previous Challenge Entry
By C D Swanson
02/16/17 -
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Shielding my eyes from the painful glare of the morning sun, I estimated the back up straight ahead to be at least ten miles long. I was resigned that I’d never make the meeting on time.
I was unarmed in terms of communication, having left behind my cell phone which was sitting on the kitchen counter, alongside my cereal bowl.
I thought, “This morning is getting worse by the second.”
My mind hosted a myriad of thoughts.
The sensation of anxiety began to rise from within…and I prayed for peace, His perfect peace before it assaulted my body, akin to a volley ball. I struggled back and forth with emotions, anxiety, as well as physical pain.
Fibromyalgia—which became part of me, was virtually unknown to me, at the time of my diagnosis, some twenty-five years ago—comes in waves, and torrents of exhaustion, pain, and frustration.
There are times where it’s not so “obvious” to moments where it’s a defining part of who I am. But, with my Father, who helps me every step of the way, I never allow it to suffocate me, or apprehend my existence…or more important, my life.
The traffic seemed to be moving now, albeit, slowly…but moving nonetheless. I wondered if the people at the event would wait. A cacophony of horns interrupted my continuous thoughts of woe, bringing me to my senses.
I smiled and spoke aloud, “Lord, thanks for pulling me back from the precipice of worry and scattered thinking. The horns were a perfect touch.” I marveled at His Sovereign power and love.
The snarl suddenly opened up, with no rhyme or reason, it just opened up. Within moments I was where I was supposed to be.
Pulling onto the church grounds, a sea of people came into focus huddled by the entrance.
“Christine, you missed the fun.” Colleen’s nose was bright red as she wiped her runny nose.
“Oh—what did I miss?”
“Well, actually it wasn’t fun in the ha-ha sense. It was more an inconvenience.”
I stood as Colleen explained about the possible gas leak in the building, to the evacuation of the people, to the fire fighters, to the milling about outside for the past hour or longer.
“Wow! I missed all of that? So…sitting in my ice cold car in a traffic jam was far superior over what you guys endured.”
“Yes, but it was more a nuisance than anything else. You were actually in the best place Christine at the time. Who would have thunk huh?”
Colleen walked away, pink tissues fell from her hand, swirling about in the wind.
Well, I guess the meeting would go on without a hitch. “Thank you Lord.”
All in all, it was a fairly decent morning. In retrospect, the exercises the doctor recommended helped somewhat, in terms of stiffness.
The other issues concerning my medical maladies, could be time consuming if I’d allow it. But, I give it to God each day, no matter how small, or how big.
This disorder will not bring me to my knees…the only time I get on my knees is in praise of the LORD.
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