When Life Gets Complicated…
I felt that familiar pit in my stomach as I drove toward the lab, so I started a deep-breathing exercise to calm my body.
“Lord, I’m still worried about them performing this test right. Please provide the right lab tech. . . it’s out of my control, so I’m choosing to trust you.” And I ended my prayer standing on trust.
My doctor had decided it was time to get a new baseline on my nutritional status as well as any pathogens still at work in my gut. (If you’re not familiar with my chronic illness journey, you can check out previous posts here and here.)
To prepare for this day’s complicated, multi-step lab procedure, I’d spent weeks coming off every supplement, probiotic and enzyme that helped me to eat and digest. We wondered how this would affect my body and what we might learn, so I took notes.
As I eliminated supplements, I did experience a discouraging increase in symptoms and pain. I set my mind to power through.
My main concern centered on which lab could handle this outside company’s testing procedure, the most complicated I’d seen yet. My doctor assured me that the lab in her building could. I’d been instructed to ask the scheduler to allow forty minutes, but she’d only slotted fifteen.
After many years on both sides of the health care system, I didn’t trust that they understood me or scheduled this test right. I tried calling the lab direct, but that was literally a dead end.
It was out of my hands. All I could do was pray that it would work out, because I couldn’t imagine a re-do with my sinus surgery happening soon.
Would God Show Up?
I parked my car, then checked in at the desk. The place was hopping with walk-ins, but since I had scheduled an appointment, I didn’t wait long.
A young lady with a foreign accent ushered me back into the blood drawing room.
“Tell me your name and birthdate,” she instructed, so I did.
“Hmmm…,” wrinkled lines appeared on her forehead.
“What, do you have the wrong patient?” I tried to joke.
“Yes, but don’t worry! I’ll find you…” she trailed off as she clicked through computer screens.
Here we go… I thought to myself.
“There you are… Oh, did you bring this test with you?” she asked, sounding confused about the outside company whose test was ordered.
“Yes, are you familiar with it?” The question of the hour.
“No, I’ve never done this one,” she admitted, and my stomach sank.
Great. The exact scenario I’ve been worried about for a month!
But I sat quietly, anxious to see what God might do next. I may not be able to count on the healthcare system, but I’ve learned to watch for how God is at work.
The young tech glanced over at the other phlebotomist working in the room, who’d just finished with a patient.
“Hey, have you ever done one of these?” first phlebotomist asked the second. The second gal glanced down at the box in my lap.
“What, the nutrition eval? Yes, I know how to do it. Send her over here!”
Relief flooded my body, and my muscles relaxed. Could this be the answer—EXACTLY what my prayer friends and I asked for, someone who’d done this test?”
Answered Prayers
This second young lab tech smiled and asked me questions as I settled into her chair. She even knew my doctor, which reassured me.
I handed over all of my supplies and the packaging, and she immediately whirred into action. She printed out test tube labels and special color-coded instructions for each vial, then slapped them on. Tied the rubber tubing around my arm and began drawing blood for the various tubes.
“Do you guys have a FedEx pickup scheduled, or do I need to return after these are spun and frozen? I know they say to avoid shipping over the holiday weekend… ”
“Oh no, you don’t worry about that; we do it. Your kit will be picked up at five and sent out tonight.”
“Really? I don’t have to do anything else, then?” I hadn’t been sure how an outside test kit would be handled, but I was happy to hand off the responsibility into her capable hands.
“Nope, you’re all set! I’ll take it from here.”
“Thank you for handling all that for me,” I told her, grateful.
“Oh, no problem! I actually like doing these tests! It breaks up my workday. Have a great day!” She smiled as she sent me off.
Trusting God
As I walked out to my car, tears of relief stung my eyelids. I’d carried my concerns about this test for weeks, and now God had provided “over and above” what I’d asked or imagined.
“Thank you, God, for providing the perfect lab tech!” I wished I hadn’t gotten so concerned, but my unanswered questions and lack of control drove me to prayer. I can never predict how God might choose to answer those prayers-- sometimes He changes my circumstances, and sometimes He meets me right in the middle of them.
“Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest.”
Matt. 11: 28-29, GNT (emphasis mine)
As I pulled out of the parking lot, a song began to play on my car speakers without me starting it. I smiled as I recognized it — my favorite song on my Spotify playlist, “Father’s House” by Elevation Rhythm, the one I’d posted on my last blog. I love it because it’s beautiful and reminds me of who God is and why I worship Him.
Oh, how perfect! I thought, smiling. . . but then the song ended, and the music just stopped.
Stopped? What happened to the rest of my playlist?
At the first stoplight, I checked my phone. My playlist wasn’t playing… the radio wasn’t playing... how odd, then. How did this song play in my car? Was it in the memory bank?
I have no idea what occurred. But I DO know that hearing my favorite song immediately took me into His presence and into the space of worship. And I believe that’s my (and His!) favorite place to be.
His Gentle Reminders
That morning, I went looking for someone who could handle a multi-faceted blood draw with complicated instructions.
What I found was another reminder that I can place the things I cannot control into God’s hands.
And then, as I headed for home, He gave me a song.
Sometimes God shows up in the answer.
And sometimes, He simply shows up to remind us that He was there all along.
Your Turn
Maybe God has shown up for you recently too—in a practical provision, an unexpected kindness, a perfectly timed word, or a moment that quietly drew your heart back to Him.
How has God shown up for you lately? I’d love to hear your story.
Prayer Request:
Hey :)
Are you a prayer warrior?
I will be undergoing sinus surgery on Wed 9/9, so would appreciate any prayers:
for the surgeon and her team,
for the “easiest” version of the surgery,
for its effectiveness, and
for a swift recovery!
Thank you!
For Worship:
A beautiful song about bringing our burdens and handing them over to Jesus:
*Photos by: 1)Jasmine Ne, 2) Navy Medicine, 3) National Cancer Institute on Unsplash, 4) my own, and 5) Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash, and 6) my own.
Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. For more information about GNT, visit www.bibles.com and www.gnt.bible.
I will be praying, Jen!