Here I was, laying in Dr. Martz's, aka Smiley's, office, with a long needle stuck in the back of my leg. I had noticed a lump on the back of my left knee, and when it got so big it effected my walking, I finally told my parents and off to Smiley we went. "The longer it takes to come out is good," he said. "When the fluid is thick it means no tumor." Good words, but could you please hurry it up a little, I hate needles and this thing hurts!
Turned out I had a Baker cyst, the synovial fluid that should be lubricating my knee wasn't and had formed a cyst. So surgery was the answer, and surgery it was. And after a few days in the hospital, it was back to school, on crutches. Now crutches are the last thing a sophomore in high school needs-they aren't cool, and having been on them in first and second grade, they kept you from doing a lot of things-things that were important like playing. So it was off to school, obeying Smiley's orders-at least at first. Then after finding I could take the pain of putting weight on it, I did. And then I began to walk on it way too soon. I'm cool. What did the doctor know, and hey I was in a hurry to get my life back.
Well... I prolonged the healing. And finally had the stitches removed and went back to gym class-my favorite class. And then it happened. We were playing war, and I got hit in the back of my left knee-and the incision opened up. All six inches of it! You could see all the things the skin had covered going on inside. So hobbling to the nurses office, conveniently located at the far end of the school, I held my knee together with one hand, and leaned against the lockers with the other. It was resewn, and finally healed-but no more gym for me. And I am left with this ugly, Colloid scar, which is still sensitive today. I guess the doctor did know more than me after all. And I wish I had waited-sooner.
I have always thought that farmers were the most patient men on earth. They plant the seed, then have to wait. Sure, they water and fertilize, but they cannot do anything about the seed-it is up to God to make it grow. It is a hidden work,which they cannot see, so they must trust. So, it is work by planting, wait for seed to grow, then harvest. All when it is time, and you cannot take the procedure out of turn. You must plant for it to grow, and it must grow before you can harvest.
Prayer is like that. You give your problem to God, but have to wait for the answer to take place. And rather than be patient and let God work, we get stressed. And cause other problems. Both inside and outside the initial problem. If the farmer harvests too soon, the crop is doomed, and answers to prayer are like that too. We don't know the plan God has for our situation, and after about 15 minutes of patience, start to coach Him. And then get impatient. "God, you don't understand, I've waited 15 minutes. How much longer can I endure?" Maybe talk to a mother, for 9 months she carried a child. Too early-disaster. Too late, more problems. But at just the right time-it's a beautiful new birth. And God works that way too in the answers to your prayers.
The answer may seem too long, prolonged, or even where did God go. But be patient. The seed you can't see is growing. And it will produce a wonderful crop, if you let go and let God. How long-can't tell you. For what, same answer. I do know this, God has everything in control, and you can too if you just trust and obey-the correct thing to do.
Walking in Henry's, a young girl came up to me before I could keep going and wanted me to sample some anti-stress drink. I told her I had no stress-at least until she approached me, and she looked amazed. "Why?" "I give my problems to Jesus, and He handles them," I said. After a moment of silence, she said, "I do too, but then I take them back."
No matter what your prayer is, God has heard, and even before you asked, was answering. Let God be God, you ask and He will answer. And be like Paul, who when complaining about a pain in his side, was told by Jesus, "my grace is sufficient, and my strength is made perfect in your weakness." Better said than I could. Your ship won't sink when He is aboard, the storm will pass, and though a tough time may ensue enduring the answer-He is the answer!
Give it to Jesus, and let Him keep it. His burden light, and His yoke is easy. He will take your stress and turn it into dessert, but only after enjoying the healing meal He has prepared. The meal He is preparing may take time, He is just making it that much better, and personal for you.
All things must pass. So pass the time with Jesus.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
