by Martha June

“One of the hardest things we do in life is learn.” Marcus Pearson

About a month ago, I found myself sick in the bottom of a boat on my way to a remote village. The sickness came on fast and furious, leaving no time for planning the wisdom behind me being there.

But I was there.

It has taken me a while to sit down and write about it. Or even talk about it at length with anyone other than my roommates. To be honest, there were many times I wanted to go home. I went from a pretty high high to a very low low. I went from feeling tired of not being able to stand or walk for long periods of time. I couldn’t eat much and didn’t want to eat much.

Because of this sickness, the extreme trip didn’t last long. originally we planned to stay for two days. We barely stayed 10 hours. The sickness hung on to me for a while. It took a full 15 days before I started to feel normal again.

Despite how uncomfortable I was or how much pain I was in, I have learned this is prime opportunity to be taught by the Lord.

One morning, I was laying in bed with a 102 fever. That particular day was a hard one. I hadn’t eaten very much because my body made it VERY clear food was not wanted. I talked to my family, which was a blessing and a curse because I missed them so much. I found myself resorting to self-pity, wondering how on earth I would be able to teach at all when I hadn’t prepared.

When out of nowhere I hear “Martha, will you praise me?” 

My first thought was maybe I was delusional. I mean praise?

“Martha, will you praise me?”

One of the other interns came in and told me to force down some food.

“Martha. Will you praise me? Despite how sick you are, praise me.” 

It was a soft whisper to my heart. One that neither sounded condescending or challenging. It was simply “will you choose to praise me?”

I figured I had nothing else to do (I know I sound like a toddler) so I did.

Lord, thank you for a region in Nicaragua where we have a breeze. Thank you for the blessing of a real shower. Thank you for grape juice, for Americans who speak English, and other people who know how to treat sickness here. Thank you that I got to call my mom, and thought to bring a book when I feel up to it.

and so on and so forth. The more I began to praise God for anything and everything, the more my situation turned around. I was still in the mountain regions of Nicaragua, I still had a 102 fever, and still felt homesick. But from that moment on it wasn’t about what I didn’t have around me. Instead, I realized how incredibly blessed I was to be sick in the right place at the right time.

As much as the sickness affected me in a number of ways, I would not change being sick here.

I was reminded of God’s sovereignty “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord who directs his steps.” Proverbs 19:21

I was taught the value of praise in any and every situation. “I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalms 34:1

I saw the heart of the Lord. His focus and love for the lost and isolated. “And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17

I knew all of these things in my mind. It was my heart that needed the lesson.

Thank you, Lord for never leaving me or forsaking me. Thank you for disciplining me as your child. May I take these lessons forever to heart and learn to truly love your people.

sincerely,

almost home