Another day, another set of bloods being taken.
Living with Myeloma, this blood cancer is my part-time job. Sometimes full-time, as anyone with a long term health condition will tell you.
One must always be available to come to hospital for any number of samples being taken, consultations, and of course treatments. And all at the convenience of the hospital, not you.
Yes, yes, you may have a family to care for, an elderly relative to visit, or even a job you enjoy that you want to get back to. But your health must come first, and it was with this in mind that I rearranged some life admin and trotted up to the hospital.
I was to meet with my consultant to discuss upcoming, necessary and increasingly urgent treatment. So as I wait, I try to lean into God’s timing.
Every hour spent waiting is an opportunity to pray. Every inconvenient visit for me is a convenient one for Jesus. To spend some time being thankful to still be here because it means there is still kingdom work for me to do.
On this visit, the nurse had taken some bloods. Because of the many, many times I have had bloods taken, I knew these were not the right ones (you get to know how many vials and the colour of the stoppers).
‘You have such a joy and light about you, I can see Jesus.'
Still, I went off to my consultation and lo and behold, the consultant said he would like the correct bloods. So he sends me off to get some more.
Amazingly, I am unfazed, not cross or even bothered particularly. Taking myself back to the phlebotomy department, I do not have to wait long before my name appears on the screen.
In the bay I am met by Mary, the nurse. She greets me kindly and when I have sat down she smiles and pulls the curtain across to shield us. Then, looking at the cross around my neck she said: ‘You have such a joy and light about you, I can see Jesus.'
Of course, I then burst into tears. ‘Yes!’ she said. ‘He is with you in this storm. Do not be afraid, he is with you in the boat; the waves won’t harm you.’
Wow. What a blessing. We prayed, whispered a little song of praise, lifted our children up to the Lord and thanked Him for His amazing plans and purposes. Wow. That was why I had had the wrong bloods taken in the morning. So I could come back and be encouraged by Mary.
Now it just so happens one of my favourite stories of faith in the Bible is the disciples and Jesus in the boat. Jesus is asleep and the disciples are caught up in the storm and are terrified; they think they are going to drown.
This always makes me feel better. The disciples had Jesus in the boat with them and yet still they were scared. It reminds me, when I find myself worrying about my circumstances, it’s time to shift my focus from my dodgy blood results to the one whose blood was shed for me and holds me in his hands. He is calming the storm and steadying the boat.
In the hospital, in Bay 9, the Lord sent a sister to remind me that He had it all under control. That's why the Holy Spirit kept me calm and why his timing is paramount and awesome.
As I prepare myself for another hospital stay and more treatments, I am comforted by the wonderful encouragement our Heavenly Father sends our way at just the right time. And a strange excitement builds in me as I look forward to more of His incredible interventions.
Want to have a powerful encounter? Pray, ask and look out it, thanking Him in advance. He is with us in the storm, and he has power over it! Praise the Lord.
