BySteph FinkA few months ago, I received aphone call.
Not just any phone call.
A call from my doctor.
“We just received your lab workback and we’d like to schedule you an earlier complimentary appointment.”
An earlier “complimentary”appointment??? I’ve been with this doc for two years now and even when mythyroid and vitamin D levels have been low they waited until my nextappointment. Am I dying???
I feel it only fair to tell youthat I have a flair for the dramatics…it’s part of my charm, okay,neurosis.
Back to the call…
“Our earliest availableappointment is next Monday at 5:30 pm…is that good for you?”
The obvious question just hadto be asked, “Am I okay? Is everything alright?”
“The doctor hasn’t even seenyour blood work results yet, we’d just like to set you up with a complimentaryappointment.”
Whydoes she keep saying complimentaryappointment?
I had a gut wrenching feelingthat this complimentary appointment had nothing to do with complimenting me, onhow they liked my new caramel highlights which now framed my face. So I hung up the phone and prayed arather freakish prayer. “God, am Idying?”
(I already warned you.)
Silence.
So I called my husband. When he hears a weird calm in my voice,he freaks, “Humm…let me pray, babe.”
In between my freakish prayerand gold medal performance on the spazznastics mat, I promised God that I wouldnot do life alone.
I needed to make this promisebecause I have a horrible habit of acting like everything depends on me and thatI’m a burden to God and my friends. I don’t like bugging people but I do love to be “bugged” or help myfriends.
So I got out of my comfort zoneand shared this appointment with some friends.
My running partner, Jess, said,“I’ll take the boys and feed them dinner.”
I told her that I didn’t eventhink that far ahead and that I’d let her know. I was putting her off because I didn’t want to put herout. I later emailed her back andsaid, “Yes, thanks a bunch and I’ll drop dinner off with the boys.”
Tough girl emailed back, “No,you may not bring dinner over.”
Well…
My friend Laura said that she’dlove to go to the appointment with me. I thanked her and said I’d let her know shortly. WHY do I keep putting my friendsoff? I emailed and accepted her generousoffer.
My friend Nancy prayed with me. On my appointment day she even left aprayer on my cell phone.
Later that day, I prayed yet anotherfreakish prayer, “Lord, why am I doing okay right now?”
This time around, I didn’t tryto do life alone. This time, Ididn’t isolate myself. This time Ilet my girlfriends in.
My girlfriends knew what Ineeded before I even stepped off the spazznastics mat.
Phew.
God’s love, comfort, protectionand provision were evident in my amazing girlfriends. I would have missed all of God’s love if I kept isolated. Minus being a lunatic and such, I amokay. Thank you God for the tower ofgirl power, that kept me standing strong!
Though one may be overpowered,two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (New InternationalVersion)
Do you have a tower of girlpower to support you? Are you partof a tower to give your girlfriends needed power?
Steph’swriting has appeared in Proverbs 31 Ministry, P31 Woman magazine. Inher free time she can be found encouraging numerous MOPS group in thenorthern Virginia area on the “Colorful Art of Friendship – AllowingGod to Paint the Masterpieces” and MOPS leaders on “Being a BrightLight”.
Steph can be found blogging at www.encouragedinheart.org or on Facebook at Stephanie Fink or on her Facebook page Encouraged in Heart – Stephanie Fink. She loves big hair, big cups of coffee and big bear hugs.
