Warning: “Smoking Kills”


ImageIn my young and rebellious years I was a smoker. When I travelled overseas, all my fellow smokers and I made jokes about the warning labels for smoking in the UK. “Smoking Kills” and “Smoker’s Die Younger” were two of our favorites. In giant big black letters just as plain as day with no sugar coating. 

We joked about it, but I am a cut to the chase kind of person. Don’t beat around the bush – tell me straight up.

That’s what I hated about the beginning of my Lyme battle. So lost and confused about how long and what it was going to take to get out of it. No one in the medical field really knows and if they did know I have a feeling they wouldn’t directly tell me that it would take years, not weeks to recover and heal.

I wish someone had slapped a label on my positive blood test that said “Lyme Disease – expected recovering 2 years”, or “Treacherous and Dangerous Recovery Ahead” like a road sign before a set of dangerous curves. Or even “Cranky when wet with tears” or “Confused, Tired and Brain Fog Ahead” to hand out to friends and family.Image

I want it direct and to the point so I can weigh the challenge and set my mind to conquer it. But this Lyme disease is a sneaky predator. It stalks silently, attacking for years and then does not like to leave without wreaking absolute havoc.

So maybe the sign or label should read “Caution: The Fight of Your LIfe Ahead”.

Regardless of the sign or the lack of warning or description of how this thing would go, it is worth fighting for and it can be won. 

My sign for you tonight is “Take Courage- New Roads Ahead”.

But Lord, be merciful to us,
    for we have waited for you.
Be our strong arm each day
    and our salvation in times of trouble. (Isaiah 33:2)