In a Better Place

First thing every morning, before I climb out from under the covers, I have a little conversational prayer with the good Lord. This morning, it was more of a whining session. "Why don't you heal this stupid cancer and make it go away? I don't want to have radiation again, even if its just a minor dose. I feel OK at the moment, and I know what that stuff can do to your body. Wouldn't it be much simpler if you just healed me?"

I had this image of being in one of those underwater corridors where you can see the ocean life, perhaps a coral reef or underwater playground for fish. I have never been in one, but I have seen them advertised on TV, and I usually shudder at the thought of being underwater even though encased in a carefully constructed glass protective area. Having cancer is like being in one of those places.

Only while I am in the middle of the corridor, suddenly and without warning, sharks begin attacking the glass, trying to get me. I can see their wild eyes, their sharp pointy teeth, hear the pounding of their jaws and fins against the glass. There are dozens of them and they come at me full force again and again, being held back only by the glass wall. I am frightened and I crouch down on the floor and cry and shake and am scared.

How silly. To get away, all I need to do is keep walking! Even if I am scared, I need to keep walking until I am far away from the threats of the sharks, out of sight, safely above water and back to my normal activities.

And that's when He gently reminded me that there is much I can do to prepare for what is to come. I can start walking on a more regular basis, the Y thing having fallen through. I can be more vigilant about reading Scripture and hanging on to it. And most of all, I can take His hand which He offers freely. He will walk with me out of the scary place, out of the valley of shadows, to safety.

So before rising this morning, I take His hand and find myself in a much better place. Now, where are my walking shoes?