PEACE LIKE A FOUNTAIN
It was the day after the procedure. I was still in shock. 78% blockage, not 30%, in the worst place, left anterior descending artery (LAD). And the only thing preventing a heart attack was a stent. The stent wouldn’t hold. It’s a waiting game now. I was watering the one bush we have in the front yard when my neighbor, Argentina, came out to do some weeding. Immediately she came over to say hi. She asked me into her home for “just a few minutes”. As she opened the door I was in awe. I walked into a tropical paradise. I heard the sound of the babbling fountain, smelled the tropical flowers, saw the neon orange and translucent white coy fish, the ocean blue umbrella with its matching chairs, and the hanging of all the bird feeders. It was as if I had been transported into heaven, with my neighbor as my new angel. Gently she lead me to a chair as I sat, taking in this unexpected magical oasis. Peace like a fountain. She began to speak to me as if she knew of my heavy burden. “God wants you to just rest…it’s time to rest. Don’t stress about anything because He has it covered”. What? I thought. Does she know about my short life expectancy? An unexpected student loan that we can’t pay for now? Our trip to Ireland? Our retirement to come? As if on cue she quietly says, “ Just rest your body, your mind, your heart.” The “few minutes” turned into hours. God gave me a place of peace…right next door. He didn’t want me to live in fear but rather in peace. Have you ever been at a cross road where you have just received bad news and you find yourself lost? It’s at that point a decision will be made.. Like a storm, it is most dangerous on the top where all the gigantic waves are. It is at that place where you are tossed in all directions which can lead to your impeding doom. Instead, if you dive underneath the waves you will find a current that will bring you safely to the other side. During difficult times your faith will be tested. If it is superficial, with no roots, it will be tossed to and fro, with no direction that leads to peace….just fear. It was in that garden of peace I made a decision. For whatever time I have left I will live it out with purpose and peace in the name of Jesus. I am blessed to have such an amazing, loving, husband, who carries me through the toughest of times; for a son who walks with Jesus in kindness and faith, knowing our God will “ take care of us” ( FYI: Jake has taken on the student loan issue!) . But, what I am most grateful for, is Jesus..He has given me a life so full, with both purpose and love. He prepared a place of peace when I would need it the most. For those dealing with challenging circumstances, I pray you know Jesus and lean on Him to lead you to a path of peace and not fear..and if you do not know Jesus..let’s have coffee at my neighbor’s place of tranquility and have you meet Him yourself. You’ll never regret it..