I like for my blogs to be real. Maybe someone will be helped, healed, or brought closer to Jesus because of my honest openness.
I have been feeling melancholy lately for two reasons. First, just missing my son so much who lives in Trussville. You say “that is not far”, and I know that. But he is an orthopedic doctor who not only works five days a week but also serves as a sports doctor, monitoring some of the local high school’s sports games and meets. He also owns a local infusion business in Trussville with 20 employees. What time his regular job does not take up, his second job does. He also does Telehealth from home at night, oversees three rental properties, and handles the bookwork. These obligations take up most of his time. Our phone calls are short because he has to write patient notes, do telehealth, work at his infusion business, or zip off to a ballgame, medical bag in hand.
So the other day, I was driving down the road and the song “Cat’s in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin came on the radio, and I burst into tears. If you do not remember that song, it is about a man who was always too busy to spend time with his son. That was me!! I had my own businesses from the age of 22 and worked nearly 24/7, ignoring not only my son, but also my relationship with God. I had to succeed! I told myself that I was working that hard FOR my son, and we would have time together later. All he saw from me was an intense drive to grow my businesses and work harder and longer hours. As the song says, “he grew up just like me”. Now my son loves me very much, and I know that, but he is always too busy working long hours and growing businesses… being just like me.
Second, this lifestyle not only kept me away from family and kept me away from spending time with God in scripture and prayer, but also helped lead to my diagnosis of leukemia, which is thankfully still in remission. But I have been having more trouble lately, and my oncologist hinted at it last year but confirmed it recently. A combination of chemo, steroids, high blood pressure, and a high-protein diet (which I thought was good for me) has led to kidney problems. It is serious. So I start a new journey to try to repair my kidneys, and I am so scared to change my entire lifestyle permanently. Please pray for me.
But I realize more and more every day that much of the time I spent working should have been spent with my family and with God. The bible not only describes God as the creator, but also as a loyal and intimate friend. He is my true best friend, can fill any space in my heart, and can heal any illness. I also realize that God can fill the gap I feel from not having my son around, but now I am constantly growing my “best friend” relationship with God, rather than relying on human interaction as my best friend.
Spend time with your family. Spend time on your health. Spend time with God in prayer and bible reading. He is our only hope for joy, happiness, and true eternal life. Do not create regrets as I did in my life!
In His Name,
Jeri Lynn Daniel
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#jerilynndanielblogs
Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing…” NIV