Open Blogging…And A Little More…
Well, I’m home again after another three days in the hospital.
Major thanks to Duane for keeping the site alive through all my trials.
Things I’ve learned from the recent health issues…
1. Suffering is an overrated form of sanctification…I don’t get holier when I am sick, I get cranky…
2. The odds are increasing that one day I won’t come home…and I need to make sure that my affairs are in order, so those I leave behind aren’t stuck with trying to decide my wishes…which puts a lot of stress on them…go and do likewise…your odds aren’t much better than mine…
3. I had a chaplain come by …he didn’t have a Bible, anointing oil, or communion with him…I got more solace from sharing cat pictures with the nurses…
4. Food is a huge factor in getting well…I changed hospitals this time because the food was so bad at the one I was in before…it was a wise choice…
5. I don’t think I had a single thought about politics the entire time I was there…which probably aided my recovery…
6. You can’t overpay a good nurse…
7. Part of getting older is accepting that you have a smaller plate and letting go of what the Lord removes…
8. I was in a Catholic hospital…and the overt references to faith everywhere were very comforting to me…
9. There was a crucifix on the wall that I could meditate on in my bed…reminding me that Jesus suffered for, (and in some sense) suffers with us…and we wait to be healed now and forever…
10. Suffering doesn’t means that God has abandoned me…in reality He is more present in suffering, even when His presence seems too quiet…
We covet your prayers and support…
Michael,
Glad you’re out.
My dad died in a Catholic hospital when he was abruptly cut off booze.
Your experience is far more encouraging.
Thanks, JD…that would be hard to handle in any way.
This is the secondary hospital in the area…but able to handle what I’m dealing with.
So thankful you’re in a community of faith that is caring for your needs in the tangible way Jesus told us to do! 🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼
Grendal,
Thank you…my chosen family has been great, Duane is a treasure, and my church prays…I’m blessed.
Illness makes me cranky too, as does suffering of all kinds.
Get well soon, Michael.
Good to hear you are out of the hospital. The only hospital here is Catholic, although not to the extent that you described. Get some rest and reassess how you move forward.
ironic that suffering, which we all avoid at all costs, is one of the most fertile grounds for knowing Christ in a clear and personal manner. I suppose that doesn’t preach well…
pstrmike,
Thanks…sometimes god makes decisions for you that you won’t make yourself…
filberts,
Trust me…it preaches really well, but is not received with joy…even though it’s one of the big themes of the Gospels…
RobertF,
Thank you…being in the hospital is as hard on my sanctification as a honky tonk would be…but I can choose to stay out of honky tonks…
Michael,
I thought you might be away at the hospital when I didn’t see this week’s LInkathon. I’ve been praying for you, and I’m glad you’re home and doing better.
I go in for a hip “revision” on May 13. It could be 2, 4, or 7+ hours depending on what they find in all that old infrastructure. My church has set up a care team, and I am grateful!!
Linn,
We’ll be a praying part of that team…you are important here and for the kingdom…
Linn,
I pray that all goes well with your surgery and that it takes the least amount of time possible. God bless your church for its care of you and I’m sure many others.
Glad you are back with us, but I bet not as glad as the cats.
About #1 and the crankiness: “If you are willing to bear serenely the trial of being displeasing to yourself, then you will be for Jesus a pleasant place of shelter.” – Therese of Lisieux
Thanks for the well wishes, Michael and Terry!
Terry,
I’m a terrible patient.
Horrible.
I can’t stand to be away from home and my cats…they were just getting over my last visit to the hospital.
It feels like jail to me and twice now I’ve risked leaving a day or two earlier than I should have.
Add to that the fact that unless I’m very close to someone, I’m about as closed up as person as you’ll ever meet…it is unwise to ask me personal questions unrelated to my illness…which legally they now have to ask about your home life and lots of other stuff that makes me spit fire.
All I kept thinking about was how when squeezed hard enough, there is a lot of depravity left in me.
Michael, very glad to hear you are back and “okay”…..
I feel you with the cranky – when I have been physically pushed to where my heart needs me to stop, but I still have things that need doing , I am suddenly not a nice person. At all.
I wish we had a Catholic hospital hereabouts, glad you had the option and therefore your faith was lifted during your trial.
#6 – a resounding AMEN!
#7 – I don’t like admitting that. I have always been the doer, very difficult to let go of that. Workin on it.
#10 – I often wonder if the whole “we learn best and beome closer to Him through suffering” thing has to do with the fall of creation, as I can’t imagine that concept being the original idea.
Michael, I admit with shame that I have lost track of your current furry friend count at home – would you mind reminding me? 🙂
Owen,
Thank you, my friend.
Yes, this all goes back to the fall…
My current household has four cats…my beloved Liam, Trappy, Jay-sah, and Beaugelais.
There is also a dog, Carmel.
Never let a young person who is going through their “rap” stage name your cats… 🙂
“Never let a young person who is going through their “rap” stage name your cats… 🙂”
LMAO!!!! ):
Say hello for me…
At least none of your cats ended up being named Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
I apologize for my absence around here lately. I’ve still been reading, but life has had me busy and I haven’t had much time to participate.
Michael, I hope you are able to manage and get better from your recent health issues.
It could be worse, a friend from college back in the day told me that one of his relatives named his dog Dammit. Hence, “Come here, Dammit”
“At least none of your cats ended up being named Ol’ Dirty Bastard.”
They chose that one for me… 🙂
KevinH,
No apologies necessary…Duane and I have both had some challenges lately, but the site is still here.
I think between all of us, we’ve been faithful to where we were called…tomorrow will take care of itself.