Hard to Hear
A devotional to kick off your week
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
John 20:27-29
I begged my surgeon to avoid giving me an ostomy bag. As a young woman with my whole life ahead of me, it was my worst case scenario. Having cancer was one thing, getting an ostomy was another. Ironically, cancer felt like the easier path.
Having “a bag” was my worst fear despite it being highly recommended. I wasn’t open to advice. Relief flooded my heart when I woke up from the surgery without one. I was so grateful.
Yet in the years that followed that initial surgery, the possibility of needing an ostomy never left me. After side effects from my initial cancer treatment appeared years later, eating, walking, and traveling became difficult. Plus, I was diagnosed with more cancer.
Over time, “the bag” didn’t look or sound so scary. I made several friends with ostomies, and they were living full lives. One day, nearly twenty years after the initial conversation with my surgeon, I accepted that an ostomy was in my best interest and got the surgery. That happened four years ago; I’ve never felt better.
Faith that survives is open to hearing.
Sometimes it can be hard to hear what’s best for us. From challenging feedback to recommended surgeries, wisdom often comes packaged in hard conversations we initially oppose.
It’s human nature to defend ourselves, and pausing to weigh advice shows maturity. Yet what’s difficult to hear is often what needs to be said, and in many cases, it’s what grows us the most.
Jesus doesn’t shy away from saying hard things, His words are challenging yet true. When we accept what He says, even if it takes time, we’ll find love, acceptance, and life.
Breath Prayer
Inhale: Open my heart…
Exhale: … to other views.
Danielle,
As a younger man, it took me about a year to start using my sleep apnea machine regularly. Two days from now, I begin again using my hearing aids. Both are vital:
The machine for my overall health
The hearing aids to avoid dementia and prevent my wife Carolyn from injuring me physically one of the many times when I fail to hear what she says.
Learning a lot from what God has taught you through cancer,
David
You were brave to make that choice. I hear you in inviting all of us to be open-minded. So glad it turned out better than you expected!