Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Sport or Fitness (02/15/07)
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TITLE: Wellness | Previous Challenge Entry
By Maryolyn Payne
02/15/07 -
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“I’m sorry to tell you, Mrs. Lindale, but your heart is not responding as well to the medication I as I would like,” Dr. Shook commented.
“Doctor, I just don’t know what else to do. I eat carefully, staying on the diet you gave me.”
“How much exercise do you get?”
“Honestly, very little, just too tired.”
“That is the only advice I have left for you. Start out with walking a short distance and build up to a fair amount. It’s your best hope. Medically, we have pretty much reached our limit.”
“Thank you, Doctor. I will do my best.”
“Return in two months to see if the exercise is helping.”
Rosie Lindale made up her mind to give the exercise program all she had. Tomorrow morning she would begin by walking around the block. That would just have to do to begin with. I can do this, I can do this, she repeated over and over in her head.
The telephone awakened her from a deep sleep. “Hello,” she mumbled.
“Hi, Rosie, this is Pastor Greene from First Church.”
“Yes?”
“Your friend, Paula, requested prayer for you. I want to tell you, we are praying for you. Do you need anything beyond our prayers?”
“Hi Pastor, uh- Pastor….”
“Pastor Greene. I am fairly new. I’m just now getting around to meeting everyone. Maybe I could drop by to meet and visit with you soon?”
“Thank you, Pastor Greene. That would be asking too much. I’m doing OK. I do appreciate your prayers though.”
“It really will not be too much to ask. It sounds as though you could use some support from your church family.”
“Paula is really about the only person I know there. It’s not like I have a real family there.”
“Well, it’s a good time to start having one. How about my wife and I come around 3:30 this afternoon?”
“Umm…I guess so…”
“See you at 3:30.”
“Thanks, Pastor….I …”
“Sure thing, Rosie. Goodbye.”
Before she could say anything he was gone. She tried to remember what the church building looked like.
………………..
Pastor Greene, and his wife Joan, sat in Rosie’s living room. After casual greetings Pastor got straight to the point. “Rosie, do you know the Lord?”
“Sure, I give my small gift each month, sometimes I pray for others, and I used to get out and do lots of good deeds for other people. Now I’m really not able to do that anymore.”
“Do you know that healing is one of His benefits?”
“I figure if I do my part, He will be pleased.”
“Knowing the Lord and having a relationship with Him is more than good deeds. It’s not depending on us, but faith in Him.”
“God helps those who helps themselves is not the thing He expects?”
“He does expect us to obey His Word, which means depending on Him, not ourselves.”
“You mean ‘God helps those who helps themselves’ is not in the Bible?”
“Afraid not.”
“Maybe that is one thing I’m doing wrong.”
“You should follow your doctor’s advice. The fitness of our physical body does need attention, but our souls need more, the most important of all.”
Rosie sat pondering what she heard. It was evident to Pastor Greene that he was to be a doctor to Rosie, but not in body.
After giving Rosie space, he spoke. “The best to begin with all problems is with a close walk with Jesus. Would you like to begin the rest of your life by asking Him to live in you? He loves you very much, and is waiting with extended hand to you. He is the best medicine of all.”
Softly weeping, she said, “Yes, Pastor, I would. I have never really done that. I just assumed my goodness was all I needed. I have been a good person. I understand now- goodwill is not enough.”
With Pastor and Paula Greene’s guidance Rosie became a new person with a new heart and beginning. The two knew they would see Rosie Sunday, as a glowing member of God’s family.
…………………
Rosie quickly dialed her friend. “Paula thanks for praying. Your prayers must be pretty powerful, as I now have a brand new heart. With God’s help I will start to work on my old physical heart. I know now, that He is in charge. I’ll do exactly as He instructs.”
“Jesus is the best physician. I’m coming over. We’ll celebrate your healing. Thank you, Lord.”
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