My Son the Not So Great Patient--AKA Answered Prayers

After 2 years of chronic, literally never-ending, ingrown toenails, B had the toenails on both big toes completely removed. He already had the remove the sides of the nail procedure with no luck. They never healed. In fact, the left toe just continued to get worse, and worse.

When we found out this was going to be done I was not happy. I think I was more skeeved out about it that B was. I could just feel the pain thinking about it. I decided to pray for him, and I decided to pray big--not just that the nurse giving him his first IV since he was a preemie in the NICU would know what she was doing, and get it on the first try, not just that the surgery would go well, not just that he would not have a bad reaction to the anesthesia, all of which were answered, but I was going to pray that he would have no pain after the surgery.

After listening to Beth Moore's Bible Study, "Believing God", I came to the realization that I have a habit of praying about something because I think I am supposed to, not because I really think it will make a difference. I was limiting God's role in my life. It is because of this I am trying to be more specific in my prayers. The first realization was when I had a worsening of a Fibromyalgia flare up, and instead of just living with, I decided to pray about it. A few hours later I realized I was feeling better, not normal, but my normal. These types of episodes typically last more than a week. It had only last about 2 hours. I was floored. So for the last few weeks I have been praying for B's surgery.

Today and yesterday have been answers to that prayer. B woke up with no pain. I had him take the Rx pain pills yesterday, but today he has only taken Motrin, and that was a preventative measure. Other than what he describes as "a little burning", he has had no pain. He is acting like his normal self, and he feels just fine.

There is a downside to no pain after surgery, though. It is convincing a 16 year old boy who is not in pain, that he must stay off of his feet, and keep them elevated.

I called him from work today to check on him, and I asked him if his feet were hurting. His answer? "No, but my butt hurts." I guess he is done with being a patient. Now he is going to have to work on his patience.

Worry Wart

This term pretty much sums me up. I can worry about anything and everything. I worry about things most people don't even notice. I mean really, I will make a to do list, and start over because my handwriting didn't stay consistant or I decided to use dots instead of dashes for bullets. Who cares??!! Besides me, I mean.

That is what makes the following one of my favorite biblical passages. I know when I am worrying too much because these verses will pop into my head without fail.



Matthew 6:25-34



"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."