GOOD MEDICINE

This, is Miss. Hershey Sue. She doesn't make the blog very often because she is the only obedient dog we own, meaning that few funny stories ever come from her actions. I mean, who wants to hear a story about a dog actually coming to you when you call her name? (It's me. I do. I will not chase Oakley one more time.)

However, just because Hershey Sue claims the top spot in our home, that in no way means she is completely free of quirks. She sure wouldn't be one of our dogs if she was. Along with being without shame for her desperate need of attention, and refusing to sit still, Miss. Hersh is obsessed with food. Now, I know, most dogs love to eat, but this chocolate lab over here, she plans her days around food. At thirteen-years-old, it is her one joy in life.

Apart from, medicine. Hershey looooooovvvveeesssss her medicine. Loves it. (Could that be because it comes flavored like chicken? Perhaps.) So much so, that while she may do a happy dance when her dog bowl is placed before her, she consistently will not finish her meal. Instead, she dashes back to the door in between bites, to ensure you are indeed getting her medicine ready. And, knowing her audience well, the genius has learned how to chatter her teeth, making the bestower of her meds feel sorry for her, even as she takes your fingers off to get to the very love of her life. Tis a tried and tested ploy by Miss. Hershey Sue, and my parents are guaranteed to fall for it every time.

However, this week, as I watched Hershey's tail twitch in anticipation while she awaited the arrival of her joint tablet, I couldn't help but think that I needed to be more like her. Not in the happy dances, that will never be me, but in the respect, almost reverence of the medicine I am given.

That's right, here it is, the time where we switch into the gospel lane. Did you really think I could get through an entire post without it?

I can remember vividly as a child choking down the cherry-flavored poison they tried to masquerade as a delicious tonic, and twenty plus years later, nothing has changed.

I haaaaaaaaattttttteeeeeeee the trials and tests and lessons the Lord sees fit to bestow upon me. And why is that, you may ask? "It's for your good, Ellie.", you might say, or, "He knows best, Ellie.". All valid, valid points, dear reader, but, you know what? The logic just doesn't seem to make things any easier to swallow. Sometimes, it just appears smarter to grit our teeth, throw it back, and force our way through the horrible taste.

But, what if we didn't do that? What if we took a page out of Hershey Sue's book, and tried our best to enjoy the medicine? I'm not saying any of us could ever look forward to it, I mean, we're not crazy people. Rather, I'm suggesting that instead of just trying to endure the hardships the Lord sets before us, what if we chose, instead, to make the most of them?

Looking for the good, as opposed to counting the many negatives. Praying for eyes to see, and ears to hear, and minds to understand the why behind the hard times, or to be joyful even if we don’t. More often than not, we do not see the magnitude of a rough patch until we are through it. But, when well past it, I always find myself gazing back on the lesson with awe, wonder, and even gratitude. Why not start that process earlier?

Maybe, instead of forcing our way through, we should pray for the strength and stamina and determination to make the most of it. The faith to trust in the Lord in His peculiar, but perfect plans. For guidance so that this period of difficulty changes us, betters us, and adds another shining stone into the crown of the person God knows us to be. Maybe, and I know I am going to sound like one of those crazy people we just talked about, but what if, what if we thanked the Lord for the challenge?

Can you imagine the people we could become, if we took our medicine gratefully, instead of fighting against it with tight lips? If, like Hershey Sue, we danced at the chance to have God work His mighty miracles in our lives? Imagine the testimonies that would be built, the lives that would be affected, and the all encompassing love of God that could be felt? Imagine how much better you would know Him.

I can't. I really can't imagine it, and, honestly I don't know that I could ever be that type of person. I for sure couldn't do it anytime soon. But, sweet Hershey Sue, I am here to tell you that your example is anything but a failure. No, it is in inspiration, a jolt to the system, reminding us who we are, and whose we are. It is a memory solidified in my brain, stroked and tended to long after you are gone, to remind me that the medicine taking process does not have to be as bad as I have built it up to be.

No, if instead, I channel even just a smidgen of your inner joy, I have no doubt of the miraculous person God can shape me to be. And all because I happily accepted my good medicine.