Persevere to the End

I need a quick fix, Becky!

There’s no such thing as a quick fix, A

I love this method, but isn’t there any easier way?

It takes time, persevere !  Nothing comes easy. Just try it; have patience! Work calmly with your daughter. She’ll do it eventually…..

Oh, Becky.. please help pray for her…it’s just all so much to handle!

I am….we are.  You know that…..Press on. Don’t give up.

 Over the past couple of weeks, I have been finding myself very busy.  It is a good “refreshing busy”—so much so that it’s been teaching me a valuable lesson.  In order not go into so much detail, A dearest friend I know has come to me and asked me help them with an action/behavior plan for one of their children (too much personal detail behind why they came to me instead of other professionals). I’ve know this family FOREVER, we grew up together and I know the kids very well.  I felt honored that they came to me for advice as well as comfort.  They recognized my potential and it was great to be able to use my skills and draw up several action plans and send it one at a time to the Mom.  The problem? She wanted an immediate fix (which is common for most parents).  She wants it to work by the next day or the day after that.   I tried to explain to her it doesn’t work that way and that working with the child takes time and it is important to stay focused, don’t give up, and persevere.  She needed prayers, she said.  So I prayed.

So you may be thinking that there is a point to this story somewhere (besides the fact that “it’s easier said than done”)

The coronavirus has invaded our lives; it caused so many problems and hardships on so many people.  My cousin (on my Dad’s side) who lives in NY contracted the virus; but after 6 grueling weeks in the hospital he overcame the virus and recovered. God spared him.  I have countless friends whose lives have been affected by the virus because their jobs were furloughed, weddings plans needed to be changed, vacations were put on hold, classes/schools were done at home (distance/remote learning) ; graduation plans changed, etc.   My heart goes out to them.   People who are sick/going through medical issues (like myself) were put on the sidelines in regards to receiving anytime of medical “non-emergent” attention.  It was virtual meetings (FaceTime) or phone calls; no “elective” procedures.   All this was declared under our President of the United States and the governor of VA (any state, really).   They need to make sure they have enough materials (gowns, face mask, gloves, etc.)  to combat the COVID crisis in case it gets too much for one state to handle. I get this.  I really do.  I didn’t fully understand this, but I respected this. I was holding on to A-LOT of anger.  Why couldn’t they see that a Pain Relieving procedure isn’t really an elective procedure? Being in pain can affect a personally physically, emotionally, and mentally.  I was upset because our governor saw abortion as a “non-elective” procedure, yet saw someone who needed a lung transplant as an elective surgery (a friend of my told me this incident about her neighbor’s dad) or (again) a simple procedure like mine (TPI) as elective, making me wait 3 months in pain (Note: I’m not seeking sympathy or empathy.  I’m just stating some personal feelings/thoughts).

As I kept reminding my friend to keep preserving and don’t give up as she is trying to help her child, I was realizing I needed to remind myself that I needed to persevere through these tough times of pain and agony until the crises has been lifted and I can once again be scheduled for another pain relieving treatment.   It isn’t easy.  I struggled greatly through my pain and it is so hard to concentrate to do anything.  But God in His goodness helped me find ways to bring me solitude and contentment through myriads of songs and praises through listening to countless online teachings of Alister Begg, John McArthur, or RC Sproul, as well as worshiping God through music.   Several of you have dropped notes, called me, texted me, and messaged me; for that I am grateful—you have no idea how much it has blessed me, encouraged me, and ministered to me, especially in my lowest days.  

For me, it has almost ben 3 months of this self-quarantine.  In a way I can’t believe how time flies so fast because we are already half way through 2020, yet I also feel as if this whole self-quarantine thing has made this year go so slow and drag on forever.  Let me remind you, it’s really a choice that my medical team and I have decided on together.  Since things are slowly opening up again, I can come and go as I please.  It’s just really important that I try to make every effort to stay well.   For the first 9 weeks or so, I did break out of the house twice, just to go for a car ride to Charlottesville with my parents; however, I did stay in the car.  It wasn’t until the past two weeks that I’ve made an extremely quick trip to get out (with a mask on) to pick up some stuff I really needed as well as go get my COVID-19 prescreening test done as a precautionary step for my pain management procedure that has FINALLY been set up for Tuesday, June 9.  Right now, I’m under strict quarantine until then (not that it’s anything new)!  After that my contact with the public will still be limited for my own health sake.  I am grateful for doctors opening up doors to do in person health checks as I have two this month and one next month!

As we walk this path of uncertainty--not knowing where this virus is going to take us next, we need to keep in mind that ALL things are CERTAIN with God and he knows the end to everything.  Until then, may we persevere to the end......