The Second Time Around by Kristie M Ledford
During my childhood I was plagued with strep throat and tonsillitis which, was accompanied by very high fevers. Each year my throat illnesses numbered four or five. Needless to say, my throat and tonsils brought me much misery. My mother would plead with the doctors to remove my tonsils. Finally, at age 14 a throat specialist decided my tonsils must come out. The years passed and I lived without strep or tonsillitis. I was astonished how these two tiny organs had caused me so much pain for so many years.
Last year during a routine yearly physical examination the nurse practitioner informed me my tonsils had grown back. My first reply was, “What? That is not possible…they were removed when I was 14. You don’t know what me and my mother had to go through to get those tonsils out!” She went on to explain that every person has two sets of tonsils. Sometimes the second set grows larger and pushes upward to replace the first set which was removed. So, I am thinking okay, the tonsils haven’t bothered me….maybe the second time around won’t be so bad! Unfortunately, I was very wrong. A few days ago my tonsils let me know they were back with a vengeance. I had tonsillitis for the first time in 24 years.
It just so happens on the very day I woke up to this painfully pesky tonsillitis…I received something else. Yes, I was totally blindsided but, God gave me His wisdom and discernment. After seven years I received a letter from a man desiring to resume a relationship with me. Our eleven year relationship together was some of the darkest years of my life. It was only after becoming a Christian 7 years ago that I knew just how dark those years truly were. The eleven year relationship with the man ended 3 weeks after my profession of faith which was over 7 years ago.
God had to show my why the relationship must end. Also, God had to show me that never again was I to have an intimate relationship with this man. It took me six years to forgive the man for the pain he caused me during those eleven years and the pain he continued inflicting upon me and my daughter since that time. God has been healing me and transforming me and my daughter over these seven years.
At first the letter tugged at my heart strings. I was filled with compassion then confusion, shocked and shaken. I just did not understand what in the world was going on. While I was driving to the doctor’s office, holding my neck in great pain the Holy Spirit whispered into my heart and mind, “Kristie, these tonsils are filled with just as much poison and infection the second time around……so would a relationship with that man. The pain would be just as agonizing, don’t be deceived the second time around. You were not a believer the first time but now you are. Remember all that God has shown you so there won’t be a second time around.”
Yes, God is right. Yes, God knew when I was going to get that letter and God also knew the tonsillitis was coming too. I don’t believe in coincidences. What I do believe is that God works all things for the good of those who love him who have been called according to His purposes, Ro 8:28.
So, tell me, is there something you are contemplating the second time around? If God has shown you through His word to stay away then don’t doubt God. Do not doubt the Sovereignty of God. Listen to God the first time, so you’ll know the answer…..the second time around. Ecc 3:1-8
Trouble Dolls
“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.” Exodus 20:4
They looked so pretty sitting upon the shelf; so, I took them down and bought for myself.
Tell all your problems to these dolls the directions did read; already planting an evil seed.
Every night before going to bed, I stopped talking to God and used these dolls instead.
Before long my requests were being granted; God’s word I had taken for granted and the evil was supplanted.
What I thought was an innocent plan; began years of torture with an evil man.
My mind wondered back to those trouble dolls, the directions never mentioned all the pain they would cause.
God was gracious forgiving my idolatrous sin; I repented and promised to never bow down again.
Do not worship the things made by men, I am here to testify they will lead you into sin.
Stay away from idols made by hands; they will infest and corrode the land.
Bow down to the God of Israel, for with him you will never fail.
“Everyone is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. His images are a fraud; they have no breath in them.” Jeremiah 10:14
Copyright 2005