Body of Christ

Turn the other cheek, rise above, look on the bright side. I had done a pretty good job sticking to all these things during my surprise surgery on my esophagus , trigeminal neuralgia and unexpected time off work.  However, when the excruciating pain in my back hit just two weeks later after a night shift and I could not get comfortable, I admit I was not looking at PINTEREST for “feel Good “ quotes. I knew a kidney stone was trying to work it's way out of my body.  That tiny shuriken in my ureter was the last straw in my life’s haystack.  I was pleading with the Lord to have it pass quickly when I received a text from my RS president. She told me she had been thinking about me and wondered how I was. I lied and said I was good. I  wondered  if a lie was not quite as black in text form. I was still trying to be some type of “big" person. Later, after the stone passed ,I was just so grateful. For the relief and for the reach out from an in-tune person. It made me feel like God was aware of me and that maybe I could be vulnerable and accepting of His grace and other's grace too.  After I confessed to her I was not having the best day, it just made the chicken soup she brought me later that much more delicious.  My husband reminded me that she brought it on a night when she was hosting the ward at her house for the start of the NFL season.  She did not even mention that, simply dropped the soup off, petted my unruly dog ,hugged me and acted like she had all the time in the world to talk to me. There is not an inspirational quote on PINTEREST or even a scripture that would have reached me yesterday.  I needed someone who was an extension and embodiment of Christ's love. I needed that kind of hug that echoed HIS love. Suzy Wirth was that extension.

There is A LOT going on in the world right now that is harder to deal with than even the sharp points of a kidney stone. Our dear friends, the Batty's, who moved to Florida a few months ago, just had to evacuate from the path of hurricane Irma. My heart is grieved tremendously and I wonder why they have to go through this trial. This family has survived health trials, financial loss , several moves and are still joking as they trek half way across the country to stay at a relative's house. They are saying they might have a house with a "convertible" top like my husband has a convertible car when they get back to Florida from Irma shaving off the roof! It is their resilience and good humor that have benefited me on my journey and I suddenly realize something. There is no better family than theirs that could have been sent to help overcome the devastating effects of a hurricane. My friend was describing to me how her husband , who is the regional manager of Buffalo Wild Wings, in the Southern United States, evacuated his restaurants earlier than necessary because that is the kind of man he is. His energy, organizational skills and clear thinking are some of the keenest I have witnessed. I decided that if I were ever in the path of a hurricane and it's aftermath, I would want people like the Batty's to literally buoy me up.I plan on visiting them in Florida when the weather is better. I bet we will be in our sleeping bags on their living room floor, sleeping under the stars and celebrating their roofless house. They will say it is better because we will say we can see the night sky . They will be joking and helping and loving those that need it so much. This... because the Batty's are an extension and embodiment of Christ's love. And the world,including Florida, needs that kind of love right now.

(Heather Batty AKA as Peter Criss Halloween 2015)