Several months ago, I was asked to take a day off from work,
drop all the projects I was trying to get funded and approved in no time, and
drive to my mother-in-law’s assisted living location to meet with her
doctor. I’m the family expert in thyroid
disorders (having one myself) so was “volunteered” by family members to go and
ask the doctor why he wasn’t treating her for low thyroid when her blood tests
indicated the condition.
I wasn’t happy one bit about this assignment. Pressures and deadlines at work demanded my
attention, causing sleepless nights…and here I was taking a day off to talk a doctor
into giving my mother- in-law medicine that he had said “no” to in the past.
This was a losing proposition in my mind.
Oh… and did I tell you my mother-in-law doesn’t even like me? She’s not exactly nice to me either.
I groused to myself
on the drive there. And yes, fellow
Christians, I did manage to eke out a weak prayer or two. ”Dear God, open this
doctor’s heart to my plea.” “Let your
hand guide all of us toward my mother-in-law’s healing.” And then I groused some more.
I arrived on time and said hello to caregivers and Ronnie (my
mother-in-law). I inquired about her
symptoms and her health. She felt
exhausted and was too weary to advocate for herself. She clearly needed my help.
The doctor arrived and I introduced myself. Like many doctors, he had a healthy ego but
he was also very kind to my mother-in-law and listened to her. I took this as a good sign and approached him
about the test results. I said, “I know
you’re the expert doc and I’m just a patient, but I have low thyroid and Ronnie
has been sharing some symptoms with me that sound just like low thyroid. Is there any chance you could start her on a very
low dose of thyroid hormone and see if it helps?” He hemmed and hawed…hand rubbing his chin as
he reviewed the chart. “I think we can
do this,” he said.
I was THRILLED. I
thanked him profusely. The doctor
explained to Ronnie that he was going to start her on thyroid hormone among
other treatments. I took copious notes.
I stayed the afternoon with Ronnie and we had a nice
chat. I helped her with things around
the apartment and left. On the drive
home, I was absolutely buoyant. I had
forgotten all about my projects and problems and thought how much the medicine
was going to help Ronnie. I was so happy
she was going to be feeling better on it. I even started singing.
Giving of ourselves is the highest gift we can give. Yet, it feels harder than anything because
our sacrifice is great. Desmond Tutu has
talked about what happens when we give ourselves to others. We actually take the focus off of OURSELVES and
on to SOMEONE else. And in so doing, it opens
us to God. That’s exactly what I felt that
day. It was freeing and fulfilling and full
of light. I experienced the value of giving.
Today, my mother-in-law is feeling much better and my
projects have successfully completed. God
had a different way of calling me that day and in spite of my objections,
something beautiful was created. I think I may be more willing and open to
giving now, after that single experience.
Giving begets giving and grace for grace. Which
makes me wonder…what if all of us gave to others everyday instead of focusing solely
on ourselves? What would that world look
like?
Heaven on earth? You
decide.
Written and shared by Lynn Byrnes
