Learning the Lessons of the Pit – even when you are no longer there

In my planner this week, on the very top, I wrote, “Remember being in the hospital.” To me, I know exactly what this means. To my audience, however, and those who may pick up my planner and read it I( mean, why not? It’s always in plain sight at my house!), I would like to explain it to you now. Hopefully, even one concept will help you change the perspective you may have on your life – the good and the bad. 

Being in the Pit

I describe this concept as the “pit” since that was most often what the Psalmist used to describe his worst state. Specifically I refer to Psalm 88 – one of my favorite Psalms. He, the Psalmist, refers to God as placing him in “the Pit, even the lowest pit” (Psalm 88:6) For me, the pit can refer to my lowest point spiritually in life. Or, it can mean a time when I am hopeless, scared, and desperate. 

For me, being in the pit in my life has exposed my worst vulnerabilities. It has shown me my dark side. The side the Devil has used far too often to rebel against my Lord. However, the Lord has shown His strength – He has shown me purity, peace, and salvation in those same dark pits. The pit, my friends, is where I found God and therefore, where I found myself and my true identity. 

I speak of the time when Paige was in the hospital, and I typically speak of when we almost lost her life three times. The time when my life changed – the expectation of my life turned on its head. However, most recently, two years to the day, Paige was admitted again. Although I was far from being in the pit, I was reminded of the pit. I was reminded of the dark day. Therefore, I remembered the lessons, and as I was planning my week at the beginning of February, I wrote, “Remember being in the hospital.”

Being Out of the Pit

This morning, I woke up with my husband beside me. My girl was upstairs sleeping peacefully. I had the joy of sitting in my favorite chair, with even more comfort of a heating pad, a special cushion, and even a blanket and a sweater. I live in absolute luxury in my home. I drank my coffee from a mug I own, and enjoyed a peaceful moment on my own. Not very long after I sat down, though, Paige’s pulse oximeter alarmed. She needs suction. She’s coughing and crying, and there I go, up the stairs to tend to my girl. 

It is my tendency – my first thought – to complain. I want to sit and drink my coffee – I don’t want to deal with other things right now. I want a few moments of peace before the day begins. But, being out of the pit, these things can make or break my attitude. The interruption can change how I wake up my girl and greet her with a smile – it can change how I greet my husband when he wakes up. 

“Remember being in the hospital,” I tell myself. All of a sudden, I think of my luxury. I think of how I have my girl right there with me, and she is alive and breathing. I can hold her with no wires; I can kiss her sweet head without the smell of hospital sheets and IV alcohol wipes. My husband is right here – he is not a shift away. Pretty soon, the complaint seems silly – instead of grudgingly walking up the stairs… I run.

Learning the lessons of the pit, even when you’re not there

Our day to day struggles, if not compared and placed in perspective of all of our individual pits, will give the devil ample opportunity to fill us with doubt, bitterness, and fatigue. Without the pit, I would complain all day. I would not see the joy of the little things, and I would feel anxious. The pit – it makes me realize how much the Lord has blessed me with even the very breath I take. He makes me realize where my true home lies – with Him, for all eternity.