The Cyber Kazbá

So I went to a cardiologist today. Moving to a foreign country does at times have its moments of nervousness and inconveniences. So much more so when you have a congenital heart defect. Tracking down a good doctor who understands my situation, and one who speaks English was a daunting task. Thankfully with much help form people around me I was able to find a great doctor to do everything I needed. All has gone smoothly and I continue to be healthy! The best part it all costs less then $2... Can't get that service in the good ol' US of A

I was going through this process of a doctor's check up almost for the first time with my girlfriend. To me this is a usual process, my heart condition has become norm and a usual thing that I have to deal with, and usually without too much worry or even second thought. Not so, I guess, for those who are close to me. I've always been the one in the hospital bed, and not usually the one standing beside it. I sometimes wonder which side of the bed is more difficult to endure. I would argue the ones in the waiting room have it much harder...

But all this got me thinking about the problem of evil. That is... Why was I made this way? What did I do to deserve such an arduous load to bear? Also, why do those around me have to suffer so much as well? Why does it work out this way? Is it completely gratuitous, or some sort of cosmic joke? And not just me but the many people who are even far worse off than I am!

Well, I see such questions from a "cup is half empty" perspective, and I believe God sees it in a completely different perspective as well. Let me take you to one of my favorite passages in all of scripture. John ch. 9. Go ahead and read it. No really, this blog isn't going anywhere, besides it would do you some good to sit back and soak in some of God's word.

Ok so now that you have read it, there are clearly 2 perspectives going on here. Light and dark, sight and blindness. Jesus said this man was born blind so that the works of God could be displayed. And I truly think this captures the answers to a lot of my questions. For truly I am a living testament to the works of God. He has me to display his works to those around me. Here are his works:

-Born without a pulminary artery, turning blue within hours after birth
-Immediate exploratory and emergency surgery
-Two more sugeries to follow up and make 'temporary' fixes
-Surgery four, a breakthrough in technology, the conduit is placed in I go from purple little boy to boy with pretty pink lips
-Surgery 5 deemed 'unsucessful attempt to connect the left lung' yet health improves greatly
-Bout with deadly disease Endochriditus, Doctor says I 'dodged a bullet.'
-Surgery 6 replacement of Conduit followed by a great time of health

All in all a tough road, but God has been good, oh so good. I am healthy and live a beyond normal life. I live across the world and move around without problems. If you were to look at me you would never guess that I have been through what I have. I think that is the beauty of it. God doesn't sit and pout about how the world sucks; how everything is going to hell in a hand basket. He uses such instances to prove His glory. If everything was great and healthy who would need Him?

Its not that He delights in our plight, but rather chooses to take such a grim situation and pour His mercy down and totally change the outcome to be glorious. God is honored through those who are weak. His strength is made perfect in my defects.

The prognosis of my situation is really like everyone elses...it's unknown. Every breath a gift, every day a blessing.