Quiet reflection

Have you ever been really, really sick? If so, you know how overwhelming it can be. But, there is another side to sickness; my Grandmother used to say "Sickness is God's call to quiet reflection". When I saw this picture today, her saying came back to me and I remembered how good (and bad) sickness can be. Take Hezekiah for example.

Isa 38:1-5 In those days was Hezekiah sick and near death. Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, came to him, and said to him, "Thus says Yahweh, 'Set your house in order, for you will die, and not live.'"
2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Yahweh,
3 and said, "Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight." Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4 Then the word of Yahweh came to Isaiah, saying,
5 "Go, and tell Hezekiah, 'Thus says Yahweh, the God of David your father, "I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.WEB

Hezekiah knew he was going to die and appealed to God.... and God listened. There is something powerful about the clarity of prayer from those of us who are really, really sick. Prayer becomes more focused. Our world becomes clearer when the frailty of our human condition is set before us. The things we see and the things we do while sick become more meaningful and leave an impression on our mind that remains with us longer. The person in the wheelchair will probably remember that sunset longer just because He IS IN THE WHEELCHAIR. I think my Grandmother was right, sickness is God's call to quietness (and therefore clarity of thought). The question is: now that I am quiet, am I really listening for God's voice or my own? The answer to that question only YOU CAN SUPPLY!!!