Rachel's Viewfinder
Who knew that a month and a half ago when I asked for prayer for a head cold, I’d shortly spiral downwards into all kinds of health issues!
First off, for those of you who have been praying, thank you! God has worked some miracles these past few weeks and they are because of your prayers.
It started shortly after that head cold. I developed a number of problems with my digestive system, a major pain in my middle back, and soreness all up and down my spine. On top of that, my knees began to hurt to bad I could barely walk. After SIMCO I spent a week out of work sick. By the time of SIM USA’s Spring Community Life conference in late March, I was back at work. But still in lots of pain and very carefully and slowly walking through the halls.
Robert scheduled me an appointment at the same chiropractor he’s been going to since the accident. After a round of examinations and x-rays, Dr. Kimble was concerned my problems might possibly be early onset arthritis. He started a regimen of chiropractic adjustments and sent me to an arthritis specialist.
The arthritis appointment happened last week. And I have to admit, I was nervous. I love my knees. I love being able to walk and move. And I especially love to dance. The thought that my knees might always be in this kind of pain was scary. I could hardly walk, let alone dance. I found myself praying, “God, please don’t take my knees.”
It’s funny how we humans like to come up with “requests” for God. Though my prayer was a plea, it was also a demand. Jesus! Don’t take my knees! Hah, like I’d be able to stop Him if He did?
Every morning of treatment at the chiropractor’s, I lay on a table for 15 minutes while an inferential electric shock treatment is applied to my muscles. It has become my 15 minutes of alone time with God, and the week leading up to my appointment with the arthritis doctor, I kept coming back to my prayer, “don’t take my knees.” Laying there on the table, my back buzzing with electricity, I’d starting going through all the “buts…” the reasons why I needed my knees. Instead of impressing me with His reasons, the Lord remained quiet. I tried listening harder, but nothing.
Thursday rolled around, and Robert and I made our way to the arthritis doctor. I was antsy. I didn’t want to go, but I didn’t want to be late. After a few wrong turns, we finally go to the place. Robert turned to me and said, “Will you just calm down? Everything will be fine.” I wanted to glare at him, but I thought about it as I completed all my paper work for the doctor. What I called “fine” and whatever Jesus would say was fine was possibly two different things. But as I walked into the exam room, I finally felt myself feel okay with that.
Over the past five weeks, I have regained most of my mobility and I’m pretty much free from pain. Slowly and gently, I’m exercising my knees and rebuilding strength. It’s an answer to the prayers of dozens of people. But I still don’t know what God’s answer is yet. My blood work from the arthritis appointment has resulted in another appointment in early May. And my re-exam for the chiropractor is next week. Even though I don’t know what’s going on, I know Jesus is still in control. Even if He “takes” my knees. After all, they’re His anyway.
