The rhythmic hum of the dialysis machine was the only soundtrack to John’s Mondays. At sixty-four, his body felt like a house where the porch was rotting and the roof leaked, despite his best efforts to keep the paint fresh.
Across from him sat Becky, a woman in her thirties whose bright dressed stood out against her fair skin. She was skimming a well-worn Bible, her fingers tracing the lines like a map.
“You look like you’re miles away, John,” Becky said, her voice soft but steady.
John sighed, adjusting the thin hospital blanket. “Just thinking about the ‘good old days.’ Back when I could hike the Ridge without catching my breath. Now, I feel like I’m fading out. It’s hard not to lose heart when the mirror shows you a stranger.”
Becky closed her book, keeping a finger between the pages. “I get it. Some mornings, the fatigue feels heavier than the illness itself. But I was just reading something that helps when the ‘stranger’ in the mirror looks tired.”
She opened to her marker and read aloud: For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” She explains “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.”
“Second Corinthians 4:16,” John whispered, nodding. “My mother’s favorite. She used to say our souls don’t get wrinkles.”
“She was right,” Becky smiled. “The world looks at the vessel, but God is obsessed with the treasure inside.”
The heavy door to the unit pushed open, and Marcus, a nurse practitioner with a tireless grin, strode in to check their vitals. He had a way of making the sterile room feel like a community center.
“Alright, John, numbers are looking stable,” Marcus said, tapping the monitor. “How’s the spirit holding up?”
“Becky’s been keeping me honest, Marcus,” John joked. “Reminding me I’m not just a collection of tired organs.”
Marcus pulled up a stool. “You know, I see people at their lowest in here. But the ones who thrive are the ones who realize that “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.“ John 1:5. This machine is just maintenance for the tent you live in, John. It’s not the person living inside it.”
John looked down at his hands—spotted and thin, but still strong enough to hold his grandchildren. He realized he had been mourning the “perishing” so much that he’d stopped noticing the “renewing.”
“I spent all morning complaining about my knees,” John admitted. “But I realized while talking to my daughter on the phone that I’ve never been more patient than I am now. I’ve never been more grateful for a sunrise.”
“That’s the renewal,” Becky said, leaning forward. “It’s like the verse says just a bit further down: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;“(2 Corinthians 4:17) These four-hour sessions feel long, but in the grand scheme of eternity? They’re just a blink.
Marcus nodded as he adjusted John’s IV. “It’s about perspective. If we only look at what we can see—the needles, the monitors—we sink. But if we look at what is unseen—the peace, the strength, the hope—we soar.”
By the time the session ended, the heavy gray cloud that usually sat on John’s chest had lifted. As Marcus helped him into his wheelchair, John didn’t feel like a victim of his circumstances. He felt like a work in progress.
“See you Wednesday, Becky?” John asked as they headed toward the exit.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” she replied. “We’ve got more renewing to do.”
As John stepped out into the afternoon sun, the light felt a little warmer. He whispered a final verse to himself, a reminder for the drive home: “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest”.” (Joshua 1:9). The outward man was tired, yes. But the inward man was ready to catch the sunset.
We all go through discouraging moments now and then, but it’s important to remember that God is our strength. The tough times are temporary and small compared to what lies ahead in the hereafter.
God promised that He would never leave or forsake us, and we can rely on Him for help in our times of need. All we have to do is ask. To do that, we need to have a relationship with Him. So, how’s your relationship with the Lord? Maybe it’s time to start or renew it today.
There’s no better time than now to start living as if it were your last day on earth. All you need is to take a moment to pray… Tell God you believe His Son, Jesus, paid for your sins and rose from the grave. Let Him know you’re sorry and want to live for Him. He will forgive your sins and mistakes, give you everlasting life with Him, and place His Spirit deep within your heart. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” and Romans 10:9 tells us, ”that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;“
May God Bless you.
Bob
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I don’t claim to be an expert or connected to any religious organization. My only affiliation is with my Lord Jesus Christ. What I’ve shared here is just one man’s opinion and observation. I hope it’s given you something to think about. I believe there’s one place where we can find all the answers to life, and that guide is known as the Bible. If you’re seeking those answers, all you need to do is read. If you’d like me to pray with you or share your thoughts, feel free to email me at Bob.L@magnificentpromises.com.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
