Afi Ruel There’s a clip of Denzel Washington circulating social media. He’s in an interview with Jamie Foxx telling him about a time he didn’t win an award. He decided that night to go to another room and take what was available to him home. He said “I said I’m leavin’ here wit sump’n…ya know what I mean? I’m from around the way. I’m leaving here with SOMETHING”. It’s one of the best clips I’ve seen on social media. It’s funny, but if you stop and think about it…it rings true.
It makes me think of when Caleb reminded Joshua of God’s promise to him: “I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day.” (Joshua 14:11-12 (NIV)
I love Caleb and I love his spirit. Caleb said it might be 40 years overdue but I want my share. I want my promise. I want my stuff. That is exactly where I am right now. I am fighting through a terrible health condition that has no diagnostic recognition l, even though many people are suffering from it and it is iatrogenic (caused by healthcare providers). The only reason I haven’t collapsed like a cheap folding chair is because of the Lord, my husband and a desire to heal and live a whole life. Yet, it’s still a fight. That means interacting with doctors who are dismissive, condescending, who don’t listen, who probably think I’m exaggerating, or who simply don’t know how to help me. But it also means having the support of doctors and healers who DO want to see me well and who are willing to help me. I’ve found and am finding them because I refused to give up and because I decided that I’m leaving this horrible place with SOMETHING!
My friend, when you are facing grueling hardship you have to decide that you are leaving that place with something. Healing. Hope. A future. Things changed for me when I decided that I didn’t wait this long just to wait. I didn’t come this far just for a scenic route. I didn’t toil and labor for NO BENEFIT. I didn’t come here just so you can see my outfit. I came and I’m leaving here with something!
