My favorite mug is my white Metropolitan Museum of Art mug that my husband and I bought while on a trip to New York. My mug is very dependable and considerate. She loves to be filled with coffee at around 1 or 2 pm and is not opposed to holding hot tea at any time of the day. She never fusses when placed in the microwave for the third time with the same bag of tea, because I forgot I was drinking it and set her on some random windowsill while taking care of my children.
I loved our trip to New York. It was my first time to see Chinatown and Little Italy. The markets called my name as my hands ran across the fabric of many colorful scarves and amongst the little shops, I found one of my favorite gems: a crossover bright green purse. Of course I bargained for it, I had to. I struggle with paying full price for anything! We ate in the district of “Little Italy” and the scenery of the streets at night, lit up with reds and greens, whispered to me of the real Italy. We enjoyed our meal and I gladly ate my little chocolate mint with the green stripe for dessert. But one of the pinnacles of our trip was to see the Broadway musical, The Lion King. Today as I sip coffee from my favorite mug and see the steam rising up, I remember another time I tried to see the Lion King, and immediately painful emotions rush back and my eyes bravely hold back tears.
Years before, when I was pregnant with my oldest, we bought tickets to see The Lion King play on a visit to London. But there in the un-airconditioned foyer of the playhouse, I leaned against the wall feeling weak and tired, and with my pregnant belly, I slowly slumped to the floor. Some sweet ladies, who I did not know, surrounded me as I sat slumped against the wall. They took me to a little doctor’s room and before long I was riding in the streets of London, lying down in an ambulance. We had not intended our trip to look quite like this. Lying there in the bed, the paramedics kept asking me questions and I knew the answers in my head, but my lips never moved. I just closed my eyes in frustration and weakness. I couldn’t talk; I had no strength.
Later at the hospital, the doctor discovered that I had severe anemia, enough to receive a blood transfusion if we choose that route. He suggested against it and so I lay in the hospital bed, with my little bottle of tiny green iron pills and a prognosis that I would feel better in several weeks. My husband and I looked out of the hospital room window to see an amazing view of the London Tower lit up at night. So much for the Lion King, but hey, at least the view was good.
Years later in New York, I grew anxious the day we were going to see the Lion King. It was like facing a fear of something that held no threat. But to me, the reminiscent feelings returned and I had to check my thoughts, speak God’s word and let it strip away the fearful lies and taunts, and coat my mind in the truth. “No weapon formed against me shall prosper, neither shall any plague come near my dwelling, for He has given His angels, charge over me. In their arms they bear me up so I don’t hit my foot against a stone.” With a breath of determination after much confession and prayer, I was determined in the New York foyer that my joy would not be stolen. I was going to see this play and I would not get sick. That was the fear of course, that the same thing would happen again—that I would slump into la-la land and take a trip to the local hospital. I won’t lie and tell you it was easy, because it wasn’t!
Most of the triumphs we have in life are not easy. There is a tension and a pull between our emotions, full of worry, and our spirit’s faith reaching out for the truths of God. We are desperate for a truth, something certain to cling to and we know we cannot find it in ourselves or in others. God is the only true foundation we can stand on. He does not change; He is full of mercy and compassion for you!
I’m sure you can see my nerves behind that smile in this photo, but the most important thing is to step out, into that uncomfortable place and put yourself in God’s hands. There have been so many times when I have had to break certain associations from my past in order to move forward. If we live in the past, we will most definitely stay there. Our bodies can be walking around in the present while our minds are still in the past. But the safest place you can be is in the present with God. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deut 31:6) Let Him be your strength to carry you into the higher ground, the victorious ground.
Testimony Time: What is something big or small that God has helped you conquer? Comment below!
