He Works Everything for the Good Part 1

I will praise You......

Today I am inviting you to take a little peak into my journey of learning how to praise God throughout a trial that took many years to unfold.

We have all faced trials and tribulations. As you walk with me through my story, please know that I understand that we all have similar stories and times in our lives when we have struggled to see how God could possibly be present. I have had more than I care to recount but I have chosen this one because I feel that sharing it could help at least one of you work through a trial or tribulation.

On the exterior it seemed that I was your typical teenager. I was on the basketball team and we were early into the season. It is safe to state that I was considered a late bloomer. It was not until my senior year in high school that the reason was discovered. I had no idea my world was about to be turned upside down. It was a very different time back then so we did not exactly talk about our cycles or exchange information that would lead me to know that what I was experiencing was not normal. To further complicate things, I have a high tolerance for pain. Each month I would know when I was about to start menstruating because I would retain a great deal of water. I only weighed ninety-eight pounds so I would be so bloated that it looked like I had a little baby pooch. I would also experience excruciating pain. At times I would be doubled over or feel as though I was going to faint due to the pain. My emotions were also all over the place. Yes, even more than your typical teenage girl!

My mom decided that I needed to go to the gynecologist. She took me to the same one who delivered me!

I should have known something was up when she remained seated when the nurse called me back to an exam room. She had never done that before!

When I got to the room the nurse gave me the spiel of take your clothes off and put the gown on but this was the first time I was told to do it with the opening in the front. I thought it was weird but did as I was told and waited for the doctor.

He came in and reintroduced himself and explained that he would need to do an exam. I said okay and proceeded to lay down. He opened up the gown and found I still had my bra and underwear on. He looked at the nurse and left the room. She then explained that I needed to take ALL of my clothes off! Wait, what? Why would I need to do that? I should have asked that question before she left the room! But, I did as I was told.

To say that I was naive and innocent is an understatement. The doctor and nurse came back in and tried again. Wait, what!? I had no idea what those metal contraptions were at the end of the table so why in the world would I want to put my feet in them! The nurse realized that this was in fact my very first rodeo and jumped in to give some much needed guidance. I thank God that the doctor was an older, kind, patient man. He tried really hard to make the best out of a really awkward situation!

After what seemed like an eternity, I emerged to find that my mom not only let me go back by myself, she had already left the waiting room and gone to the car! I jumped in and slammed the door. I was more upset with her than I had ever been before. I asked her why she did not warn me or tell me what was going to happen. Her only response was that she was afraid I would not go to the appointment if I knew what would need to happen.

I did not bother to tell her that the doctor was concerned and wanted me to have several tests done. Two could play her little game!

Fortunately for me, the office got in touch with my mom and the needed tests were scheduled. In the end, the first one, an ultrasound, was the only one that was needed. We were quickly called back to the doctor's office. This time my mom got up with me to go back. I shot her a don't even think about it look but she ignored me. This time we were not taken to an exam room, We were taken to the doctor's actual office and asked to take a seat. So many firsts in such a short time!

The doctor came in with my file and a grim look on his face. He sat behind his big, beautiful desk and explained the ultrasound had revealed a large cyst on my right ovary. It would need to be removed right away. He explained the details of the surgery to me and then asked if I had any questions. I was overwhelmed and having difficulty processing the whole thing so I did not even know what to ask. I said no, I did not have any.

At this point he asked me to go back to the waiting room while he talked to my mom. I usually did as I was told but this time I just could not seem to. I left the room but I also left the door cracked and stood outside to listen to the rest of the conversation. The doctor then explained the situation in more detail. He explained several things to my mom. He talked about the urgency of the surgery, that is may be cancer, and papers would need to be signed that allowed them to do a hysterectomy if needed. Talk about a wake up call! There was nothing that could have prepared me for that visit or for what was to come.

As soon as I woke up after the surgery I asked if I would still be able to have children. The doctor explained to me that due to the type of cysts found, I no longer had a right ovary and my left ovary was affected as well. He did not have to do a hysterectomy but he could not say if I would be able to have children in the future. There was no way he could tell if the left ovary was going to be able to function properly due to the damage done by the cyst.

He also explained to me that there was an issue with my uterus that he found while removing the cysts and that he was able to fix that problem. He explained that if he had not discovered the issue, I would most likely have miscarried if I had gotten pregnant. It was at that moment that I believed that I would have children in the future and I would be able to carry them to full term due to what started out as a huge trial.

I was not raised in a Christian home but I was blessed with neighbors, family, and friends who took me to church starting at a young age. God surrounded me with believers in my life who were great role models for me. I did not have much time to process through the whole situation. I was fearful of the outcome of the surgery but I did understand that God was in control and it would all be okay.

As a senior in high school I face a pretty big trial. I thank God that He showed me how to see the positive of it all. I am not about to sit here and say that I praised God for this situation because that would be a lie. I did however praise Him because I did not have to have a hysterectomy, I was cancer free, and a problem only He knew about was found and fixed. God took a situation that could have been so much worse and used it for my good.

Friend, we have all faced trials and tribulation. What difficult situation do you have in your life that you need to look at with new eyes and see that God was with you and used what was meant for evil for good? Take time to process through and find the places you can praise God. How did He protect you in the situation? How did He use the situation to prepare you for the future?

Please feel free to share any comments or ask any questions you may have related to this post. I would love to hear from you.