"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
How reasonable is it at this point in your life (verse above)? Do you feel like rejoicing or giving thanks at this moment? Even if you think you can't I challenge you to do it anyway.
Last Saturday night I was bitten by a neighborhood cat, while sitting on my front porch. The puncture wound from the bite got infected within hours, and by noon Sunday I was at the doctors office getting an antibiotic shot in my rear. Not two hours later, the infection was getting worse, the swelling spreading. I was driven to the emergency room, and spent the next four hours getting stuck with needles. I had a tetanus shot, on top of 5 very painful, rabies shots. Along with an IV of antibiotics stuck in my right arm.
Monday was even worse. The rabies shots that are working through your body make you feel like you are dying. I basically just laid in the recliner for eight hours and stared at the ceiling. Every inch of me was in pain, like I had been beaten.My husband was worried & did not go to work that day. Also, no appetite, nausea, muscle spasms & a giant headache. I then developed a fever.
Finally the sun came up Tuesday and I felt better. Phew! Yes, still tired and a little sore, but much better than Monday. I gave thanks for making it through the worst. But mostly, I have given thanks that it was not my ten year old daughter that was bitten. She was sitting beside me on the porch that evening when it happened. I cant imagine watching her suffer.
As I was getting the rabies shots (in the thighs) at the hospital Sunday evening, I had a nurse on either side of me, ready to inject both my legs at the same time (They said it would get it over with quicker, it did, but I still hollered when the giant globulin needle was injected.) The nurse on my right, was young & peppy. I told her I just wanted to cuss, I had had it. She encouraged me to let profanities fly out of my mouth like a sailor. I then said I would not do that, I could not do that. Instead I prayed. My prayer surprised me. I just kept repeating, "Thank you Lord." Over & over, as they gave me all the shots. Thank you? Yes! Thank you! There were so many things that could have been worse. God was there, holding my hand as I was treated, and I felt it.
The owners of the cat live near me, and have not come forward. That is something I am praying about. I have no anger towards the cat owners, nor do I want anything to happen to their cat. But...If this cat has bitten once, chances are it will happen again. And when it does I am afraid the next victim will not be as patient or sympathetic as I am trying to be (I am a huge cat lover, I have 5 cats of my own). But that is all in Gods hands. I give thanks that He will take care of it, as He is caring for me.
I still have 2 more rounds of shots to go for the rabies treatment, so the end is in sight. It's a good thing I am not afraid of needles. I give thanks for that too.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
How reasonable is it at this point in your life (verse above)? Do you feel like rejoicing or giving thanks at this moment? Even if you think you can't I challenge you to do it anyway.
Last Saturday night I was bitten by a neighborhood cat, while sitting on my front porch. The puncture wound from the bite got infected within hours, and by noon Sunday I was at the doctors office getting an antibiotic shot in my rear. Not two hours later, the infection was getting worse, the swelling spreading. I was driven to the emergency room, and spent the next four hours getting stuck with needles. I had a tetanus shot, on top of 5 very painful, rabies shots. Along with an IV of antibiotics stuck in my right arm.
Monday was even worse. The rabies shots that are working through your body make you feel like you are dying. I basically just laid in the recliner for eight hours and stared at the ceiling. Every inch of me was in pain, like I had been beaten.My husband was worried & did not go to work that day. Also, no appetite, nausea, muscle spasms & a giant headache. I then developed a fever.
Finally the sun came up Tuesday and I felt better. Phew! Yes, still tired and a little sore, but much better than Monday. I gave thanks for making it through the worst. But mostly, I have given thanks that it was not my ten year old daughter that was bitten. She was sitting beside me on the porch that evening when it happened. I cant imagine watching her suffer.
As I was getting the rabies shots (in the thighs) at the hospital Sunday evening, I had a nurse on either side of me, ready to inject both my legs at the same time (They said it would get it over with quicker, it did, but I still hollered when the giant globulin needle was injected.) The nurse on my right, was young & peppy. I told her I just wanted to cuss, I had had it. She encouraged me to let profanities fly out of my mouth like a sailor. I then said I would not do that, I could not do that. Instead I prayed. My prayer surprised me. I just kept repeating, "Thank you Lord." Over & over, as they gave me all the shots. Thank you? Yes! Thank you! There were so many things that could have been worse. God was there, holding my hand as I was treated, and I felt it.
The owners of the cat live near me, and have not come forward. That is something I am praying about. I have no anger towards the cat owners, nor do I want anything to happen to their cat. But...If this cat has bitten once, chances are it will happen again. And when it does I am afraid the next victim will not be as patient or sympathetic as I am trying to be (I am a huge cat lover, I have 5 cats of my own). But that is all in Gods hands. I give thanks that He will take care of it, as He is caring for me.
I still have 2 more rounds of shots to go for the rabies treatment, so the end is in sight. It's a good thing I am not afraid of needles. I give thanks for that too.