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EN(dur)ANCE by Robin Gudal

I have sat in and hung out in the emergency room in the last two years a handful of times. For myself, my daughter, my mom-in-love, and, just recently, with my love, Greggy.

Truly it is a place to be reminded, grounded and humbled. I quickly realized others have it worse than me. This thought should be followed swiftly by a prayer of thanksgiving and prayer for my fellow sufferer.

Our little granddaughter is learning about feelings and will ask, “Nana, what feeling do you have?” What I have experienced in each of these situations is impatience — with the process, the tests, the communication — and yet, I truly know everyone is doing their very best.

On the last visit the doctor peeked her head in after four hours of waiting to communicate they hadn’t forgotten us; they were waiting on another hospital to read the results of a test. I will tell you, those few words changed my attitude. We were not forgotten! It was shortly thereafter we left with medicine in hand and headed home to sleep. All are well!

“When we’re sick, we see a doctor who prescribes medication. If we decide to ignore the advice and refuse the prescription, the symptoms can grow worse. Should we hold the doctor responsible? No, because we’ve refused the remedy. The disease of sin that has infected the entire world has a remedy — God’s salvation — but it must be received. If we refuse it, we suffer the consequence; we cannot blame God. People Magazine once carried the story of Lem Banker who said, ‘Never bet what you want to win, only what you can afford to lose.’ No one can afford to lose their eternal soul. The Man we often refer to as the Great Physician is based on Jesus’ words: ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.’ (Mark 2:17) The remedy is clear: receive Jesus today.” — Words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelical Association.

Charles Spurgeon said, “I have a great need for Christ. I have a great Christ for my need.”

“Let God have your life. He can do more with it than you can.” — D.L. Moody

Robin (Beckman) Gudal is intentional in life, a wife, momma, nana, friend and a flawed and imperfect follower of Jesus.