I am always shocked when I hear the news that someone who looked healthy on the outside and was making all the “right” decisions with food and exercise has been diagnosed with cancer or a disease. It feels unfair. 

Or when a person who seemingly has their whole life together: great marriage, awesome kids, well designed house, fulfilling jobs, take time to serve people, etc and then suddenly their whole life falls apart. 

It shocks because on the outside we are seeing the highlight reel. Last week my daughter was performing at Dance Nationals several states away. This is the big event, what they prepare for all year by practicing and competing at regional competitions. Our family all goes to rally behind her and to enjoy a week away. If you follow my private accounts then you saw the “highlight reel” each day. 

It was exciting and fun, until the baby got sick. 

The third day in, our youngest came down with a horrible stomach bug or e coli. At first I thought it would be a 24 hour bug and I would miss only one of my daughters dances. While her dad stepped in as Dance Dad I would watch livestream. No reason to ruin the whole experience, this was temporary.

Then days later, he was more sick than the first day and I had missed two more dances. As the final day approached I was desperate for help and posted on my account (still not my personal account where I was pretending all was well) asking for prayers. Relief did not come. 

My soul was angry and frustrated not only because I had missed all but one of her dances, but because my youngest was doubting the power of prayer. He asked me in the wee hours of the morning in the middle of another episode, “Mom are you praying for me? Because I am praying but God isn’t answering me!”

“Healthy people don’t need a doctor— sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of the Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” 

Matthew 9:12-14

I know I am a sinner, do you?
I know sometimes I feel righteous (read I Don’t Deserve This)
I know I need healing from the only doctor who can provide it, do you? 

I am fortunate because our family doctor is my best friend’s husband, therefore I trust his opinion above all other medical professionals. Not because he has gone to more years of school or has more years of experience (these are things I can not accurately answer), but because I know he would not do anything to hurt our family. There is a relationship. 

Stop hitting “snooze” now is the time to spend it with Him.

I am guilty of saying, “later I will” but then before I know it, the entire day has slipped away. Just as our physical health needs a doctor, our spiritual health needs the Doctor. Just as I can trust our physical doctor because we have a relationship, I can trust my spiritual Doctor when I make time for the relationship. 

I would love to hear how you make time for Jesus. Leave your thoughts in the comments.