Friday, April 11, 2008

No prayer in sight

So, I haven't been praying. I haven't for months. I just stopped. I don't know if it's because I got so tired of getting my hopes up only to be let down, feeling selfish and whiny asking for stuff, maybe i just didn't believe it really did anything or just wanted to spite a good that i hated. Maybe a mix of all four. Anyway, in my months of silence, i forgot how to pray. I can't bring myself to ask for help, or comfort or peace, or healing. The only prayer that has left my heart was one night when i was feeling more despondent then usual, I looked vaguely into the distance and in an unsure and faulty voice asked, "Gregory, um... if your really there, it would be really great if you could come find me."

It hasn't been hard not to pray. Except for in the beginning when i was looking for a parking spot or hoping something would come out in my favor, i would default to it before thinking, and just roll my eyes in frustration at my own brainwashed self for slipping back into old patterns. But the last few days it was so hard. I wanted to pray. I wanted something bigger then i was to come in and fix things. To help me. I found out that the doctor i was seeing had to give up his license for the next few months because of legal trouble at his office (he's a good guy, just in a bad situation with people that want his head.).

A few days before this, I had gone to refill of my prescription using my new insurance and found that it only took a few dollars off my $50+ dollar bill, and i once again had to use my parents money to pay for it. They don't mind, but it bothers me. But I had car payments coming up for my car, and the fact that i probably wouldn't be able to sell it till summer was depressing. I'm not able work much because of my health, so as long as i had the car, all money i made went to paying for the payments and the insurance for it.

But the doctor thing bothered me the most. I was right in the middle of this new treatment for my thyroid using strait T3 hormone replacement, and the next time i saw him, he was going to do some tests to officially diagnose me with CFS. And since his license was gone, all my prescriptions and refills were no longer legitimate. I was scared. He was the first doctor i met that listened to me. That believe me. And now he was gone for who knows how long. So you will forgive me for my temporary weakness to desire for something bigger then i was to come in and make it all better. But i couldn't. I had promised myself that i would see what life was like without prayer. You see, my car selling was the first important event that i wanted to see how it turned out without the request of divine interference. And my health... well i just don't ask for that one anymore. So I didn't. I spent the next few days forcing myself to keep silent, scared to death about how the future would turn out.

Two days ago, I talked to my old doctor's office and got a list of referrals for doctors in PA and found one that said he could pick up where my old doctor left off. It sounded good, and it just helped to know that I would be taken care of. And he's actualy only and hour and a half away. Before i was driving 3 hours almost once a month for appointments. So that will actualy be rather nice! I go see him at the end of this month, and I'm still scared that i won't like him, or that he won't be as good as my old doctor, but i think it will go well. And it's just nice to know that there is someone there to help me.

The next day, my car sold. I had it up on cars.com, but hadn't ever received calls on it. But yesterday a gentle man called up and and asked to come look at it. Later that day, he told me he wanted to buy it! I'm so relieved. Without car payments any money i make goes to me. I can save up, i can spend some money to do fun things or buy some new cloths for the summer! I can start paying my parents rent so i feel better about staying in their home. i don't have to worry if i get enough work to cover me for the month. I'm so very glad.

So, all this without praying. But i wasn't feeling cocky like i had accomplished it. I know I hadn't. It had just happened and I was so grateful to have all if it off my shoulders. I prayed for the second time in months. I stared at my shoes trying to get everything i was thinking and feeling together so i could put it into words that i meant. I began to speak, "Greg, i don't know if your real or have anything to do with all of this but.... if you did, then thank you. I appreciate it."

It's so odd. If Greg is real, I don't think he's the type that you simply go to and asks for things. If i had to sum up what i felt about him during the last few months, and especially the last few days, i would say that it felt like he's the type that would be with me during it all. Not making things turn out in my favor per-say, but instead being there beside me and experiencing everything with me as it came along. I think he would be the type that even if nothing good had happened this week and everything fell to pieces even more, he would still be with me during that as well. Crying during the heartbreaking and hard parts, and smiling with me when happy things came along. Not really in control of what happened, but very much being there and being himself no matter what the circumstance. And that is something I like very much.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's my God, too.....and I like it very much!

Elizabeth said...

Thanks for comment :)

I'm curious though. How did you come to know such a nice god? Did you just always know him or was it a process?

Anonymous said...

While I did not come out of the toxic religious background you have experienced, I must admit that the God I know now is the result of a process..... just like getting to know my wife has been a process. Many qualities that she has I have only come to really understand over time and as we have lived together for many years. It is the same with God.

May I offer that I enjoy reading your blog. You are honest and refreshing. I know you are hurting...I wish I could take all that hurt away.

Sarah said...

This is a really sweet post. Thanks for sharing it. :)

Robert said...

You really are a good writer elizabeth I am so glad you feel led to share your story on here you jave alot to share. I really am moved by the depth of thought and caring you show as you face what your dealing with. I have more than one health issue as well, lots of times writing becomes a very helpful way to process them. I hope your new dr works out for you and your health gets better and better.

Heidi W said...

Did you go to Dr. K (we are in PA too). My mom just ran into this with her allergy shots, and she is missing it! We just moved back, and hadn't gotten to set up an appointment, and now he isn't practicing.

I sincerely hope you find a doctor who will listen! It is SO hard!!! I'll have to call and get some names too.

Keep being honest and real. I love to read your blog.

Love,
Heidi

Elizabeth said...

Thank you all for the comments! I really am honored you all are reading along :)

Heidi W: Yeah, actually. I did go to Dr. Kerry in Greenville. Is that the same Doctor your mom went to? haha, wow! I go see my new Doctor next week. I know he does a lot of allergy stuff and if you want i can email you an update on what i think of him :)

Heidi W said...

Yes, that's him! I used to go to him too. He was the first doctor that helped me.

I would love to hear what you think of your new doc. We are 2 hours northeast of Greenville (Warren, PA), so it is a trip and a half anyway, but it was worth it.