The Tough Day

I knew she would always make it through…

I’m talking about my “best friend”…She always faces a lot on her plate. Daily. She wonders why such trials don’t let up. I can’t answer myself. For even me wonder. All I know is that when God found me, He taught me how the truth comes from Him. Despite adversities, He promised He is always there with us. Going through tough times. Why bad things happen to people, I am limited to such knowledge. But I believe that because this world is not God’s place, anyone can try to see the “positive” through those negatives. He wants us to trust and rely on Him. Trials make us vulnerable and make us feel defeated many times. Trials make us realize we are very limited to what we know and what we are capable of. 

“How can you be so sure?” she asked as I felt my throat formed a lump after I reassured her that nothing would go wrong that morning that she was supposed to have a surgical procedure.

“Just because…” my mind grasping for easier answers she could understand. Not from me…But from Him…since I was also limited.

“Because God promised His love and faithfulness to those who love Him. I know you love Him. But you need to also trust Him…” I replied.

Well…she was right…They ended up cancelling her procedure after her stress brought some changes in her EKG. The doctor wanted her cleared by the Cardiologist. That instant, she had no option but to go for an angiogram. For the doctor to see her heart through a catheter they had to put through her artery on her right wrist. 

With no family around but just a trusted friend which was “me”, she requested the Cardiologists to leave us alone.

Her tears flowed…Suffering for over a week to have a cyst removed, she had already endured so much pain and the anticipated surgery that would bring some relief was cancelled. Understandably, she was upset.

“What else could go wrong, Rcubes?” she looked me in the eye. 

“I can’t believe this is happening…”

I rubbed her left shin…Trying to comfort her…But no words dared to come out of my mouth. I knew…I was limited…Until some did form in my mind…Because I asked for His help…To comfort her. To reassure her. For Him to give her the needed strength…

He is the Best Comforter after all…

“I know you have suffered for so long…But consider that, even though we know that stress can do that, they just want to be on the safe side. Hang in there some more…I know you are tough. You can tough it out the way you did it many, many times…”

Her tears continued to flow as I felt my heart silently breaking. Feeling her pain. Feeling her struggles since over the decade of knowing her. 

I missed her smiles. I had not seen those in a very long time. How can someone smile while facing adversities?

“Part the waters, Lord” I softly prayed as I continued to rub her left shin. Trying to comfort her the best I could…

“Don’t let her drown…on such waves…For I know You are quick to reach out Your right hand and save her…I know that…because of what You have done for us…I believe that because I know You are the true God.” I ended as I tried not to join her tears with mine. I wanted to be strong. At least, for her at that moment.

The few hours procedure turned to the night. As I lingered between going to the unit and the designated waiting area while she had the angiogram. People at the hospital knew we were good friends by then. The nurses kept thanking me for being there to support her. They didn’t know I was grateful to be able to do that for her.

 Because she is a good person…Often, I caution her how she neglects her own health just to care for her family. I know the way she treats her patients at the hospital. She is not only a good nurse but truly a good advocate for their needs. But I’m sad…because now she is the patient. 

And how I prayed that she would be treated the way she worked in the hospital. With kindness. With understanding. With dignity. With respect…Because she deserved that. Not only because of her good heart but because her smiles hid the struggles she faced and continue to face.

The clock seemed to have been frozen as I tried to swallow the ham and cheese sandwich I got from the vending machine. I felt it was stuck in my throat. Bite after bite. Not finishing it, the pager the nurse gave me lit up on my lap. The procedure was over. She requested for me to be there. With her. When she returned.

She looked so tired by then. Her pain slightly diminished as they gave her some IV sedation. The cardiologists came and facing them as my friend laid on the guerney, they explained how beautiful her heart was. That she was cleared for her surgery. 

I couldn’t help but butt in.

“That was only the literal meaning you had explained…” the doctors both looked up and grew silent as they allowed me to speak.

“I’m sorry to interrupt you both. But I just want to tell you figuratively, she does have a ‘beautiful’ heart.”

None of them knew what to say. They didn’t get me at first. Until the more experienced Cardiologist got it. They agreed with me. 

But I didn’t need that. I knew that. And I wanted to make a statement for her. 

A lesson learned for me that day. To not believe that all smiles I meet and see daily in my path does not mean that person is happy. For some smiles hide the struggles they are going through. For me, it helps to realize that just one…Even one act of kindness might help that person. It shouldn’t be hard…Because sometimes, it’s just equivalent to a minute as I tie my shoes or brush my teeth or comb my hair. But one thing is sure…

This world is hurting…No wonder…Jesus commands for us to love Him first then love others…

Yes…Even our enemies…

May I ask for your prayers friends for her to have a quick recovery. For the Lord to provide her strength and comfort and all of her needs. Thank you.