Hello ,

Have you ever been dizzy; I mean really dizzy? In the summer of 2023 (when I was in ICU at Mayo) I began to have vestibular problems that were so unbelievable that I could barely move (even in my bed) without feeling the entire room whirling around me. 

This was prior to my heart transplant, and it was imperative that I get up and move around as best I could so that my body would be strong enough to recover well after the transplant. With though entire room reeling though, it seemed next to impossible. 

The vestibular specialist visited my room and told me, "Mr. Temple, I have some exercises that you can do that can help you begin to even out that dizziness. They may be uncomfortable at first, but they will help you to get better. 

The first time I tried those exercises, I became so dizzy that the room didn't stop spinning for (at least) a half an hour. I did them a few more times, and the dizziness didn't get any better. I thought to myself, "These exercises aren't for me. They're just making my life more miserable than it already is in my condition." I decided to not do them anymore. As long as I stayed still, the whirling was kept at a minimum.

That's when Jeff showed up!

Jeff was a soft-spoken nurse who had me under his care for 12 hour days shifts (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) for 5 days in a row. The first day he came to my bedside I knew I was going to like him. He was affable and quiet, but confident in his abilities as a care-taker. 

On the first day of his care he came to me and said, "Mr. Temple, I've been told that you are struggling with vestibular issues, and that you've been given exercises to do for help with that situation." I replied, "Yes, that's true...and I've decided not to do them. They only make me dizzier, and they're clearly not helping me." 

His response got my attention.

He listened patiently and then said to me, "Mr. Temple, may I share something with you?" I responded that he could. Listen to what he told me. "Well, I've got a little bit of insight into your situation on a personal level. When I was 17 I became so incredibly dizzy with vertigo and inner ear problems that I had to drop out of school. I had that issue from the time I was 17 until I was 30. I went to specialist after specialist to try to figure out what was wrong. Eventually I was diagnosed with Meniere's Disease. That's a disorder of the inner ear that brings dizziness, tinnitus, and hearing loss. I finally had surgery for it, and eventually I got it under control." Jeff turned his head and showed me the scars directly behind his ears. He continued, "While I was recovering from the surgery, I was given the same exercises that you have been given, and for a while I felt like it just wasn't working. The dizziness was still there, and I was still struggling to find a way to walk properly because of the vertigo. I kept on doing those exercises though, and I slowly began to make progress. Now, I haven't had vertigo or any other symptoms of my diagnoses for years. Mr. Temple, I know its hard to even WANT to do this, but I hope you'll reconsider and allow me to help you do those exercises. I believe they will really help you!"

Do you think I started doing the exercises with Jeff's help?

Absolutely! How could I refuse after hearing the story of his challenges, and the way that he overcome them? I rarely struggle with vestibular issues now, and I credit my nurse Jeff with giving me a perspective that aided me in even wanting to continue with the exercises. 

The same is true in the spiritual realm when we share what God has done for us, personally with someone else. Our testimony of how our Heavenly Father has led us in the past is a powerful witness to His love, care, and concern for people just like us. I've got discovered that less "sermonizing" and more "empathizing" can go a long way in connecting people with the best Friend they could ever have. 

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

How will you help others to see Jesus more clearly, today?

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word