Do you ever have moments where you just can’t see the “light at the end of the tunnel” and you feel like you will never get through? Our family has experienced this for 6 ½ years and just felt like we were having to jump over one hurdle after another with no end in sight. We prayed for that “light at the end” and just felt like we would never see it. About a year ago, Felicity was transferred from her regular Nephrologist (kidney doc) to a new one that joined the clinic. I remember clearly the day that we went to her office; I was so angry that we were having to change docs and didn’t go into her office with a very good attitude. Then we met her; she was such a kind woman, very gentle and seemed to truly care about what we had to say…she won my heart! Then last year, in March, we were told that Felicity had Lupus. We researched it and learned what we could do to help her and what we could do with the “hand we were dealt”. In August we went back to the Nephrologist and she could tell that I was very upset about Felicity’s health and still felt like something just wasn’t right. She then called a Rheumatologist and made sure we got in and explained our situation. We went into the Rheumatologist and again, got a doc who was sent straight from heaven! She took an hour and half with us; she listened to 6 ½ years of medical history and every detail that I thought would be helpful. Then she said something that I will never forget…she said “Felicity doesn’t have Lupus! She has all of the signs and symptoms, but doesn’t follow a single pattern. I think she has Celiac Disease and this is what I want you to do…” And the rest is history, we took gluten out of her diet and we began to see changes right away! Her hair stopped falling out, she started gaining weight again, her joints didn’t hurt so bad; this winter, instead of living at the hospital for various illnesses, she only got sick once! The changes were unbelievable! For years Dale and I said that we only needed 1 doctor to listen to us and take us seriously…just 1; even if that doc didn’t treat the thing that was “wrong” with Felicity. That change in doctors at the Nephrologist was our answer to prayers; she was the one who showed us that the “light at the end of the tunnel” hadn’t gone out…we were just on a curve and couldn’t see it! Last week, Felicity went to her Neurologist and they told us that perhaps her migraines were caused by the Celiac and we can start weaning her off of her migraine meds; by Christmas she could be off of all of her migraine meds! Today, we went to the Nephrologist and she too, said that Felicity can start decreasing her blood pressure meds and that her labs showed that her kidneys are 100% healthy!
Now, not everyone’s “light at the end” will take 6 ½ years and not everyone will have to go through what we have to get there, but the message that I want to send in this is that the “light at the end of the tunnel” hasn’t burned out; it is still there! You may just be rounding a curve that is blocking the vision of the light! My message to you is HOLD ON and DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK! I sit here writing this and thinking what would have happened if we hadn’t held on or if we had gotten too afraid of the dark to keep moving forward…that to me is even scarier than what we have gone through. God is your light! HE isn’t going anywhere, you may just be rounding a corner and can’t see the light shining! BUT, if you keep holding on and keep walking through, rather than allowing the temporary darkness to paralyze you with fear, then you will get to the light at the end! There is a part of scripture that I always tell myself and others when faced with something that causes fear, “God has not brought a spirit of fear, but of peace and of a sound mind.” To me, what this says is that we should look to God for strength when we are faced with situations that bring fear. It also tells me that if God didn’t bring a spirit of fear then that means that the enemy did bring it! The enemy will do whatever he can to block your view of “the light” and cause you to be paralyzed in fear! We cannot allow the enemy to do that! Keep moving forward and keep heading towards where you know in your heart that light is! Joyce Meyer has said before that sometimes you just have to do it afraid, but no matter what…just do it! For years we were afraid of what might be wrong with Felicity, but we walked through that fear and came to where we are today! Celiac isn’t a serious disease…it just means she can’t eat the same foods as everyone else; that is FAR less scary than all of the things we have been told was wrong with her! And the best part…we have had the privilege of ministering to so many people as we walked through the darkness! That is the great part about not allowing fear and darkness to paralyze you…there are people along the path to cheer you on, to help you, and that NEED YOU to help cheer them on in their journey! Our hardships are NEVER for nothing…they are ALWAYS to bring people together, help each other and ultimately lead others to their “Light”!
Are you allowing the darkness to paralyze you? It isn’t too late…you know what direction the light is…just take the first step towards that light and grab hold of the people along the way that are cheering you on! You have your own “fan club” and God is the leader of it!!! Your light is just around that curve, but if you sit still, you will never get a glimpse of it!
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