Just over a month ago, Anna and I were on our way to Hershey for an appointment with her retina specialist. As I was driving, a classic song played on the radio: "For Such a Time As This" by Wayne Watson (from back in the 1980's). We listen to WJTL (FM90.3) out of Lancaster, which is not a classic station---they play mostly newer Christian contemporary music. I know the song; I like the song, and I remember this because for the rest of that April morning, I thought about the words of the song in relation to my life and what we were doing that day. I even posted a status on my Facebook page that day (April 19th) from the waiting area of the Eye Center at Hershey.
Yesterday was a day of appointments for Anna. Once again, we were on the familiar road to Hershey, with the first stop being the retina specialist. We were listening to WJTL as usual. I hear a song intro, and once again, about a month later, "For Such a Time As This" comes on.
Now, all I have is now
To be faithful
To be holy
And to shine
Lighting up the darkness
Right now, I really have no choice
But to voice the truth to the nations
A generation looking for God
For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will
Whatever it is
For such a time as this
For now and all the days He gives
I am here, I am here
And I am His
For such a time as this
You, Do you ever wonder why
Seems like the grass is always greener
Under everybody else's sky
But right here, right here for this time and place
You can live a mirror of His mercy
A forgiven image of grace
For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will
Whatever it is
For such a time as this
For now and all the days He gives
I am here, I am here
And I am His
For such a time as this
Can't change what's happened till now
But we can change what will be
By living in holiness
That the world will see Jesus
For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will
Whatever it is
For such a time as this
For now and all the days He gives
I am here, I am here
And I am His
For such a time as this
Data from: LyricFind
So what does it mean? I don't know for sure, except that for the next few hours, "For such a time as this I was placed upon the earth, to hear the voice of God and do His will whatever it is" was playing in my head. (It stopped playing in my head once we left Hershey.) In part, I believe it means that there is a higher purpose for all that we experience on Anna's JA Journey. Because I feel a sense of purpose, we are able to face little and big things with an overriding peace.
Maybe I heard the song in my head because there was a young mom with a young baby who needed an eye procedure before Anna could use the procedure room for a steroid injection. Because of the discussion about the room use and schedule (Anna had another appointment to get to later, and we needed to use the room in a timely way), we knew there was a baby there, and then as we waited, we heard that tiny baby scream and cry. I told Anna, "That baby's mom needs us to pray for her." And then as the baby's cries intensified, I told Anna, "This is about the time when an infant's mom starts crying, as well." (All was okay afterward---the mama walked out with a peaceful infant sucking on a pacifier.)
Maybe it's a reminder that we are the "aroma of Christ," a reflection of God's love in our attitudes and actions as we encountered various people and situations and unexpected delays which made for a very long day and no opportunity to grab any lunch (we originally thought we would have adequate time to eat lunch and maybe get some shopping done---didn't happen!). Anna had a hunch that she would need a steroid injection in the eye yesterday. The vision test was the worst I've ever seen (for the left eye). The inflammation was quiet, but the macular edema was worse. Anna explained to the assistant that the letters straight ahead were blurry, but she could see me (sitting to the side) clearly. The OCT showed significant swelling in the back of the central part of her eyeball. Anna was calm and accepting of the decision to inject, and the injection procedure was faster than the first time she had this done (last summer). I still couldn't watch them stick a needle into her eye.
Anna then had a lengthy appointment with the rheumatologist. Because the appointment was at the clinic in Camp Hill, Dr. S. didn't have the supplies needed for a steroid injection for the knee, which Anna has been needing for many weeks. But we'll make another trip to Hershey on Thursday for that injection. Something new, though---Anna said they will inject the steroid into her muscle instead of the joint. I never heard of that. (Has anyone else?) Anna's liver enzymes are back within a normal range, so the dose of Methotrexate will be increased. That should help both the joints and the eyes.
We appreciate, as always, the prayers of so many family members and friends. We have seen some good things these past few weeks, even as Anna has struggled with a stiff knee and eye issues. Attending a smaller private college has been a blessing. Even though Anna does not yet have all the documentation in place to be "official" with the Office of Disabilities, she has talked with the Director of Housing, who graciously arranged for Anna to be on the first floor of the dorm for the summer, closest to the door and steps and walkways that lead to the center of the campus. Anna has begun the second week of her summer job, working in an office on campus, which is better for her than some of the other summer job options that would have required more physical stamina.
We continue on this journey, knowing and accepting that we are here "for such a time as this," and praying that we can encourage others who are on a similar path.
