Friday night I finally passed a kidney stone that had been in my bladder for about 6 weeks.  It was a small one, about 1.8 millimeters and my doctor was not too worried about it.  Once it was in the bladder it had only given me some occasional discomfort from time to time.  As a matter of fact, I had quit looking for it a long time ago, even though I was pretty sure it was still hanging around.   Friday night I had some pain that let me know it was definitely still around but would soon be making an exit.  If it had hung around two more weeks I had decided I was going to start charging rent.  Two glasses of water and one Dr. Pepper later, charging rent was no longer an option.  Finally, I was down to just two stones!   I had gone to the doctor last Wednesday and had another x-ray which indicated that in addition to the one in the bladder there were two other stones; each about 3 – 4 millimeters in size, located in the left kidney.  With the experience I just had with the previous stone, I figured it would be a while before these guys made a move toward the exit but I was wrong.

About 9:45 am at church I started getting that familiar clammy feeling, started to sweat and then the pain in the side began.  The pain was pretty bad and as it did not subside after 10 minutes I knew that I was in for a long spell.  I let everybody know that I would be leaving and I had my wife drive me home.  I took my nausea and pain medicine after I arrived home and tried to rest.  The pain in the side stopped that afternoon about 3:00 pm.  The stone passed today about 10:00 am.  It was an oval shaped stone with some very sharp edges.  I am now down to only one stone remaining – woohoo!  My favorite Bible verse at this point is “This too shall pass.”  I have started some medicine which I am told should help prevent me from making any new stones.  I hope so.   As a good friend said one time, “Growing old ain’t for sissies.”

That is the first time I have ever had to leave church or miss a prepared sermon due to an illness.  It worked out okay because we have someone in our church who has done pulpit supply before and he was able to fill in.  I am sure that it was tough on him and he may have been sweating as much as I was since he didn’t have any notice except for somebody telling him, “The preacher’s leaving – grab your bible!”  I am glad that he answered the call.  The Bible says in 2 Timothy 4:2

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season…”  2 Timothy 4:2

It is so important that everybody be ready to share a good word for the Lord.  We never know when we might have an opportunity to testify.  Even without much notice, my friend did fine.  I had one person call me today to check on me and they let me know what a good job he did.  I am glad he was able to step in and I am glad that we have a gracious and kind congregation who is always there to encourage and support one another.

I pray that you will have a very fine week.  I pray that you will be kidney stone free!  I also pray that you will stay prayed up and be ready – in season and out of season to share a good word for the Lord whenever the opportunity arises.  As someone told me one time, “There is no offseason.”  And I pray that you will have a host of friends to support and encourage you in everything you do.