DAY 24- JUNE WILSON
Day 24 – April 1, 2025
This past year, 2024, was definitely a wilderness experience for me. I have had the diagnosis of osteoarthritis in my hips and knees for many years. In the fall of 2023, I went to the orthopedic doctor because of the pain. My family doctor had recently taken me off of arthritis medications because of damage to my kidneys. The x-rays and MRI confirmed the arthritis but it wasn’t surgery worthy. I did several weeks of physical therapy.
Throughout 2024, the pain in my hips became unbearable. I was in such intense discomfort that I became immobile, depending first on the use of a cane, then a walker, and then a rollator walker. Thank goodness for the loaned equipment from HFUMC’s Love Exchange program!
It’s been said that God sometimes leads people into difficult situations to help them grow. I recall crying to God that I had experienced enough empathy with my Chapel Church congregants with disabilities.
Just as Jesus was visited by angels, there have been many people who were my angels during my wilderness journey.
My niece, who I have affectionately nicknamed “Nurse Ratchet”, became my dedicated caregiver. Not only did she accompany me to medical appointments, she checked on me daily on both my physical and emotional health.
As I was being evaluated for another series of physical therapy sessions, the physical therapist said she wanted to refer me back to the orthopedic doctor. I was showing classic signs of needing a hip replacement. This physical therapist remembered me from preaching in New Song worship service! She remembered me and my walker and she even remembered the subject of my sermon.
Long story short, in less than two weeks I was having hip replacement surgery. The arthritis had worsened in just months! I could even look at the x-rays and see the difference in one year.
Another angel the Lord sent me was one of my Chapel ladies. At the same time as I was recovering from hip surgery, she had cataract surgery. I was able to provide pastoral care to her!
Exactly two months after my hip surgery, I had surgery to remove my thyroid. A pet scan earlier in the year had indicated a tumor, which was confirmed malignant on biopsy. The same time I was hospitalized, another Chapel Church lady was hospitalized on the floor above me. I do believe God put her there to remind me that others have wilderness moments, too.
Other angels include the ones who texted, phoned, mailed, emailed, and gifted me. I felt the prayers and good wishes.
Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” My wilderness journey is still continuing but it’s not so harsh and dramatic because my faith is strong!
– June Wilson
Prayer: Dearest Lord, thank you for putting perspective around every corner as we navigate the seasons of wilderness in our lives. Thank you for healing, healers, friends, and our church family. Thank you for loving us and encouraging us to love one another. Amen.
