Two weeks ago today I began my bout with the–you guessed it “if you see three leaves, let it be”–poison ivy plant. It doesn’t really matter how, when, or why I contacted this, but I got a full blast of it. Within one week of contact, it had spread down my arms, hands, and legs causing a great deal of itching and pain. By the weekend, it caused swelling around the left side of my face and into the crease of my eye. By Monday morning, I was on the phone with my physician and I was given an appointment quickly.

My husband and grandson trekked along with me to my appointment, and I was so proud of Gryphon for sitting in the waiting room without trying to get down and run around. The office personnel noticed this and commented on “how good” he was as well. (His reward was getting to eat lunch at Denny’s and he was even great there as well.) I later learned that while I was seeing the doctor, Gryphon had scooted over next to PapPap and, while smiling up at him, stroked his arm. I think I noted a happy tear in PapPap’s eye when he told me about this–but don’t tell him.

After my examination, I was given a steroid shot to give my body a boost of medication for the swelling on my face and eye, as well as a 12-day steroid prescription easing down the dose after each set of three days. Even with the medication, I was itching so badly that I even tried squirting lemon juice, calamine lotion, and other home remedies after I Googled types of remedies for poison ivy online. Even laying down at night was a chore because it felt like my arms were “on fire”. Needless-to-say, I have had a number of restful nights sleeping. The steroids had caused a great deal of change in my sleeping pattern that’s for sure.

Last night, for example, I went to bed by 11:00 p.m. but when I was still awake at 2:00 a.m., I finally decided to get up and watch something on TV and, of course, eat. Ice cream with whipped topping and Kashi Go-Lean with Vanilla Pepita makes a wonderful snack in the middle of the night. It even sounds healthy right! I also washed my arms with Dove soap for sensitive skin (also recommended) and tried Eucerin Intensive Repair on my itchy arms. Believe it or not, this cream really worked very well.

As I sat on the couch watching E.T., the song, “Lean On Me” began to spill out of my mouth. Although I couldn’t remember all of the words (until I looked them up today), I felt a calm sense of peace about my situation. By 2:30, I was ready to go back upstairs, brushing my teeth again for a second time, and just continued to sing this song out loud, trying not to disturb my sleeping husband.

This song encouraged my heart and soul even in the midst of my discouragement last night, and I realized that God was right there next to me during this entire ordeal. I just needed to “lean on Him” and let Him continue to heal my mind, body, and spirit in that very moment.

I would like to share the words of “Lean On Me”, written by Bill Withers, with you and if you are going through something discouraging in your life right now, may you be reminded that God is right there with you and we can lean not only on Him but on our family and friends for help, encouragement, and prayers as well. All you have to do is reach out.

“Lean On Me” by Bill Withers

Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there’s always tomorrow.

Chorus
Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
‘Til I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on.

So swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you won’t show.

You just call on me brother, when you need a hand (Chorus)
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you’ll understand
We all need somebody to lean on

Second Verse
(Chorus)

If there is a load you have to bear
That you can’t carry
I’m right up the road
I’ll share your load
If you just call me
(Chorus)
Call me (if you need a friend)
Call me (call me)
Call me (if you ever need a friend)
Call me (call me)
Call me
Call me (if you need a friend)

May you be a blessing today to your family and friends as you lean on Him and encourage those with whom you come in contact with today as well.

Blessings,
Yvonne