When Life Gives You 'Itchy Spots'

"And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean." 2 Kings 5:10

It was a beautiful, bright, summer morning. We were up early, our bags packed and in the car traveling toward our most favorite destination for a week long reprieve from our everyday life. The boys had just finished their first and second year of school and were excitedly anticipating the fun that awaited them.

Dana and I made it a habit early on in the boys childhood to stop halfway between our house and the gulf coast for a quick night's stay to break up the long ride to the beach. This one being no different.

We woke early the next morning with a big breakfast on our mind. As we were making our way across the parking lot to this fine eatery, Cameron began to complain with 'itchy spots' all over his back. Playing it off as it being from the humid heat we proceeded with our morning ritual and enjoyed a nice breakfast before loading ourselves into the vehicle for the rest of our journey.

Cameron continuing with his complaints and me stopping to examine him, found pesky little spots that covered his back, with a few making their way onto his neck and face. I immediately knew what the diagnosis would be. We speedily found a drugstore and made a beeline straight to the Pharmacist, asking her to take a quick look and tell us her declaration. It took her just a glance to call it what it was...the dreaded Chickenpox.

As we were discussing that we should probably turn our ship around and head back home the kind lady interjected her advice and told us to go forward with our vacation plans. The warm sea air, sunshine and saltwater would do him good (never mind the other children he would come in contact with). It only took us a few minutes (maybe seconds) of talking it through to decide we would in fact move along with the plan at hand.

Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Syria. He was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. Naaman was also a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.

Life has a way of presenting obstacles no matter who we are. Whether we are a mighty man of valor or just an ordinary family on vacation. Bumps in the road cause us to delay or sometimes abandon God's will for our life. We must learn to look at obstacles as things to overcome instead of allowing them to overcome us. So when life gives you 'itchy spots' it's okay to scratch them just a little, but then move on with God's plan.

"So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean."

2 Kings 5:14

I love you & He loves you more!

Lord, You are the God who heals and refreshes; revives and cleanses. May we rejoice in You for the power You possess and the miracles You work in and through us. Thank You for the healing of my heart as a six year old little girl when You came into my life to stay. I am forever grateful! In Jesus' name. Amen.