A New Year Exam

A New Year Exam

Several years ago, I developed a serious aversion to mirrors.  Dressing rooms with full-length mirrors make me break out into a sweat.  I have learned how to get past them during the daily ritual of getting dressed.  I have found that if I take my glasses off and don’t turn on the lights in the bathroom as I put on my makeup, I can leave the house feeling pretty good.  I have come to the conclusion that, as it says in Isaiah 40:8, gravity takes a toll on the human body.  Everything withers, fades, and, as someone once pointed out to me, falls. 

So, as a result, I have become relatively immune to the inevitable – at least, for someone on a limited income – wrinkle, laugh (or frown) line, age spot, or as we used to call them, liver spot, and on and on, ad nauseum.  We, as women, tend to dread annual exams of any kind.  We don’t like mammograms, Pap smears, dental cleanings, blood work, or anything else that pokes, prods, hurts, or may actually find a flaw.  We ask our husbands how we look when we dress up; however, we don’t actually expect them to tell us.  There is really only one acceptable answer:  Good!  So, it should come as no surprise to us that when God asks us to examine ourselves, we either do it in the dark without our glasses on or we postpone it until a more convenient time – NEVER! 

Yet, as serious and necessary as all of the previously mentioned exams are, so, too, is a heart that seeks a spiritual exam from the Holy Spirit of God.  A new year is a great time to refocus on God’s sweet Spirit accomplishing Psalm 139:23-24 in our hearts and lives:  Search me, O God, and know my heart:  try me, and know my thoughts:  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Recently, we visited with our younger son and his family in Mississippi.  I had had a nasty sinus infection for several weeks but was feeling much better.  While there, I had a bit of a coughing episode.  My only grandson, who is 3 years old, heard my cough, and quickly ran to get his dad’s penlight.  Since his dad is an ENT surgeon, Gabe knew exactly what to do.  Grammy, open your mouth, he said.  So, of course, I did exactly as told.  As he flashed the light down my throat, he said, as I am sure his dad has said to him, Grammy, that’s bad.  You have strep throat.  You need to see a doctor.  He, then, proceeded, to gently press on the outside of my throat, as if feeling for swollen lymph nodes.  Next, he looked in my ears.  Last, he said, Grammy, just do what I say, and you will be all better, soon. 

Regardless of my dire diagnosis of strep, I could not help but smile as my grandson put away his penlight and patted my knee, assuring me that I could get better.  As we cuddled together, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, Gerry, I love you even more than your precious grandson.  Why don’t you trust me as you ask me to search you with my light of Truth, trust me with the diagnosis that can do damage to you and others, and allow me to prescribe that which will heal you, cleanse you, and cure you to not only walk in the way everlasting, but also to lead others in that same way?

Search me in the new year, O Lord.  Penetrate the recesses of my heart and mind with the blinding light of your love, your truth, and your glory.  Lead me, Father, in the way that leads others to your sweet Son and life eternal.  Amen.

© 2011 Gerry Sisk

(01/12/11)