Posts Tagged ‘laryngitis’

Laryngitis – “It’s Baaaack”

by Kim Avery

“They’re baaaack,” or so the corny line from the 3rd rate horror movie goes, and it’s true. Well, almost. It would be more accurate to say, “It’s baaaack,” as in that virulent  case of laryngitis that stole three months of my life this past spring. Three months.

Crazy, isn’t it? I mean who has ever heard of a case of laryngitis stalking someone like a hungry shark on a summer day? And not just someone but a very talkative woman?  And not just a woman but a Life Coach who spends her days talking ON THE PHONE? And if I were to be really honest, I wonder why speechlessness is dogging not just a female Life Coach who makes her living talking on the phone, but why is it chasing me!?

Joy Is Good

You see, I am all about joy. I like being happy. I’m quick to smile. And I avoid elective pain at all costs. In Kim’s world, joy is good; suffering is bad.

Suffering Seems Bad

Unfortunately, that rule of thumb doesn’t bode well for those who live in a world filled with brokenness, death, disease, and pain. If my mood were dependant on the things that happen around me and to me, I might as well give up now.

But it doesn’t.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

… in this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory…

I Peter 1:3-9

I have been born again, and I have a living hope  > My hope comes from the resurrection of Jesus Christ  > Trials will come but they can’t threaten what Christ has given  > By believing in Him, I can rejoice with joy that is literally inexpressible. Good thing it’s inexpressible, since I can’t talk again :) .

No matter what, joy is mine.

Trust me, you will never catch me loving pain. I don’t run towards trials. And I will absolutely pray, “Lord, if it’s Your will, may this trial quickly pass.” But in the meantime, I’m planning to fight for joy every time, because I am His, and He is mine.

I’m praying for joy in this current trial today. How can I pray for you?


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Addicted!

by Kim Avery

20,000 words. That’s how many words the average woman speaks every single day. I get that. I like talking. In fact, as an extrovert I like talking a lot. Research tells us that talking actually causes an emission of hormones in a woman’s brain similar to the sensations a drug addict feels after receiving a long awaited dose.

I’m not surprised. I’m addicted to talking; it is my drug of choice.

So, if you add my 30 days of limited talking due to having laryngitis to my 10 days of complete voice rest, you quickly realize that I have 800,000 words that have been left unsaid.

But wait, there’s more.

I have been ordered by the doctor to barely speak at all for the upcoming month as well. So, get your pencils out and add another 600,000 words to the 800,000 above and suddenly there are 1,400,000 very important words I’ve been unable to say.

1,400,000.

I am in severe withdrawal. I miss my words.

Whatever Will the World Do?

At this point, I know you are asking, as I am, “how has the world ever survived while Kim has been mute?” And the answer is I have no idea.  They have missed out on life-changing thoughts like these. “I filled the car up with gas.” “The dog barfed on the rug,” and “Add an order of fries to that Big Mac.” I marvel that others have managed so well with these profundities left unshared.

And I’ve had more important things to communicate as well. To my contractor whose skills far surpass my own, I really needed to say, “What if we did it this way (i.e. my way)?” “I really don’t think that is a good plan,” is just what my husband needed to hear.  And, “You’ll never understand how a mother feels,” was the guilt trip begging to be laid heavy on the heart of my son.

Control

These particular words and more have quickly fermented into a bitter brew as they remained bottled up inside.  Why? Richard Foster shares these amazing insights:

“One reason we can hardly bear to remain silent is that it makes us feel so helpless.  We are so accustomed to relying upon words to manage and control others. If we are silent, who will take control? God will take control; but we will never let Him take control until we trust Him. Silence is intimately related to trust.”

Suddenly the question is not, how will the world survive without Kim, but do I trust God to manage my life on His own? Do I believe that His power is sufficient for me? Do I love Him? Do I trust Him with my life?

And if only I could speak, you would hear me say “I do.”

How is God building trust in your life? I would love it it you would take a minute to share in the comment box below.


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Laryngitis!

by Kim Avery

I am on my fourth week of laryngitis. My fourth week. Now math is not my strong suit but I do believe that is 30 long days of no talking, speaking, whining, crying, fussing, encouraging, sharing, regaling, retelling, rehearsing or recounting any of the brilliant thoughts that rent space in my mind.

At first, I assumed it was no big deal.  I’ve had laryngitis once or twice in the past and after a few days it finally went away.

Two days without talking was stressful. But hey, you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do. (I think that’s found in Proverbs 58:11 if you want to look it up.)

But 30 days, now that’s another story.

Desperation

Thursday, in a fit of desperation, I went to visit the third physician I’ve consulted about this death-defying disease.

Good news. My vocal cords are fine and the laryngitis is simply the result of a nasty virus my husband lovingly shared.

But there’s bad news as well.  Why I am surprised?  This side of heaven, there’s always bad news as well.

The only way for my voice to come back is if I sit in self-imposed, complete, total, absolute, comprehensive, all-embracing, all-inclusive, non-negotiable, broad, wide-ranging, extreme silence for another 10-30 days. Not one word can be spoken!

Ahem.

Just in case you didn’t know, let me elaborate on why this is a complete, total, absolute, comprehensive, all-embracing, all-inclusive, non-negotiable, broad, wide-ranging, unmitigated catastrophe.

Catastrophe

I use my voice for a living. As a life coach, I talk all day, every day on the phone. As a Bible study teacher, I teach weekly. As a public speaker, I speak.  And as an instructor, I instruct.

At home, I enjoy telling my husband about my day each day after work. And isn’t it every mothers sworn duty to remind her son, hourly, to take out the trash?

God has a sense of humor doesn’t He? I mean if I were going to have an infection, why not in my big toe?  I like my big toe. I count on it for lots of things and it looks very cute with its lipstick pink polish, but I could still limp my way through life without it. But not my voice, there’s no way to do what I do without sound.

Hmmm, without a voice, I can’t ‘do’ anything.

However will God manage without me helping Him out in such a wide variety of ways? (I hope you’re worried about this because I sure am.)

Honestly, if I can’t do anything, what will I, well, ‘do’?

Human Being or Human Doing

All that’s left is ‘being.’  I can only rest and be who I was created to be – a human being instead of a human doing.

Slowly, another brilliant thought rises to the surface of my mind.

Could it be that God allows me to serve Him because He loves me and not because He needs me?

Is there a chance that God’s unconditional love doesn’t depend on my performance, my accomplishments, or the number of words I say?

Do you think that perhaps He’s wild about me just as I am?

Well, I’ll have plenty of time to ponder these thoughts in the days and weeks to come. In the meantime, I’d love to hear what you think.

How does God remind you that He loves you just the way you are? Leave your thoughts in the comment box below.

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