Fighting the Influenza and Appreciating my Students

*BEEP BEEP BEEEEEP* The sound of my thermometer reminding me that I wasn’t out of the woods yet. The quick succession of beeps meant that my fever was high, and well, it was day 12 of my influenza battle, so it’s pretty disappointing to hear those beeps everyday.

I remember when I had Covid in 2020, it was nasty but also quick – about five days tops. Sure, it took my lungs about a week to recover from it fully, but it seemed like every day there was a new symptom, and my body just progressed from one to the other.

This was not the case this time. I don’t believe this flu I had was Covid, but it certainly was contagious. A large group of my friends caught it from me when we hung out together, and then the flu symptoms pretty much showed for all of them. It also went through my whole household, eventually making all six of us sick, with my wife and I being the worst hit.

I remember when I hurt my arm working for the police, I was off for an extended period of time recovering. Since I’ve been a teacher though, this sickness put me off for four days (total).

It’s not even the kind of sickness where you get to chill at home and play video games – I just felt like garbage and had to sleep and stay in bed.

However I wanted to share a testimony about God’s faithfulness in the midst of this crappy time. Two things happened to me that left a lasting memory.

God’s Timing

First, it’s God and the Medicuro app. Now as many of you know, it’s quite hard to get in a see an family doctor (if you’re fortunate to have one) and going to the emerg department is like last resort (because you can expect a 12 hour wait). So as my sickness continued, I began to search out medical advice, considering it was now day 10 my fever still wasn’t gone and my sinuses were killing me.

I tried calling my family doctor, only to receive a voicemail and no call back. So I tried the Medicuro app (which had worked for me in the past), where you book an over the phone appointment and a Newfoundland doctor will call you. Well, the app kept giving me a “network error” and I could not book an appointment. Becoming frustrated, I tried going on the internet and just booking it that way – that also wouldn’t work. I tried the online option for creating an account about three times. Finally I gave up, as it clearly was not working.

It was later that evening I started to get very frustrated and I had some serious prayer time. Serious meaning, I just spoke very real to God and asked Him why does it seem that my prayers aren’t working / why am I so sick? There were dozens of people praying, family, friends, and my students- but yet no change.

It was then I decided to change gears. Rather than focus on the crappy situation I was currently in and all the things not working, my family and I decided to do some worship and sing some songs together as I played guitar. Now I’m sure it never sounded the best, as if we were deep-throated singers with sinus infections- but God knew our hearts, and that’s what mattered most.

Not about me, Lord, but all about You. Teach me to look to You, in the midst of the sickness and anger.

With that perspective shift, we went to bed early to rest. The next morning I got up at 5:20 a.m. and went downstairs. Sitting in the chair that faces the living room window, I sat there with my ambient music on my Bible app and just listened.

…everything was so quiet…

And in that quiet, I heard the Holy Spirit within me quietly say Try it again.

I knew right away what the Lord was saying – try booking my appointment with Medicuro again.

So I tried again.

I went online (not the app) and literally did the exact same thing I tried three times the day prior – and it worked…

Suddenly my account was created; and my appointment was requested. I received an email that due to the high volume of requests, it may take 24 – 48 hours to receive an email appointment confirmation with a doctor, and then that appointment may be a day or two after that email.

45 minutes later, my phone dinged with an appointment time…

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. that same day.

The appointment was scheduled for the same day I tried to book it? Like come on!!!

Let’s gooooooooo!

Some may chalk that up to coincidence, but I chalk that up to God’s providence and timing.

I had given up on trying to book that appointment, but in the quiet as I waited, that’s when the Holy Spirit spoke.

Being a Christian

Friends, following Jesus Christ is not about a bunch of rules and regulations- it’s a personal relationship, where the God of the universe actually lives in you and guides you. Sure, the Bible has commandments and scriptures that tell you things you should do and shouldn’t do – but who ever heard of any sport or really anything that has no guidelines?

Without order there is chaos.

Try playing hockey where you can move the net – or cross check an opponent into the boards – consistently – with no fear of penalties? That wouldn’t be a sport, that would be a lawless game of chaos.

Why do I write this? Well, quite simply, I want to shed some light on one of the greatest misconceptions about Christianity – if I become a Christian, my life would be boring and full of “do’s and don’ts” – and that simply is not true. In fact, it’s vehemently false.

Becoming a follower of Christ is, by far, one of the most freeing and exciting adventures of all time. You have a purpose– defined by your creator, and you have a personal relationship with Him.

What are the two greatest causes of suicide today? Research shows: feeling like you have no purpose for living and loneliness.

Ironically, the same two things are two of the most defining parts of Christianity.

As I begin to clue up, I want you to ponder something for a second. If you are struggling in those two areas, get connected to a Bible believing church. And if you don’t find the right church for you the first time, don’t give up, try another one. You will find the right place for you and where God wants you to be.

Appreciating my Students

One thing that I experienced while I was sick, was the love and care of my students. I received email after email I hope you feel better soon and We miss you, Mr. Eason, and Sir, I really hope you return soon, also I need help with my research paper!

It’s a beautiful thing to be loved, especially when you feel sick. So today I am not thankful for the sickness, but I am thankful for God helping me in the midst of it and the love of my students.

On one of the days of my return, G, one of my students, came and asked “What do you have in your coffee, sir?” I never expected a coffee, but sure enough one was given to me when that student came back from lunch.

That makes it worth it…not the coffee… but the love behind it.

Christian

Medicuro | Virtual Health Clinic

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