Sorry for the delay this week, but I had the exact same experience that Sandy shares in her story below. And try as I might on Tuesday, I couldn’t get my head around writing a blog.

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A devotional by Sandy Martin

This may sound like an unusual title for a devotional. So, let me share the unusual story that goes with this unusual title.

I was in my “50’s” and headed for my first routine colonoscopy. I had met with my doctor, received my referral, scheduled my appointment, and picked up the prep-kit at the pharmacy. Among the many pages of descriptions, release forms and cautions, there were a multitude of instructions pre-procedure and then, to my dismay there were post-procedure instructions.

Three of these instructions were, 1) that you were NOT to drive the remainder of the day and 2) you were NOT to make major decisions and 3) do NOT go back to work that day. As I came out of anesthesia, the nurse met with my husband and me to go over the post procedure instructions.

But I felt great! And these instructions did NOT fit in well with my plans for the remainder of the day. I had already taken off an entire day of work to “prep” for this procedure (another devotional in itself!), and I was ready to be done with the whole thing. My plan was to go into the office that evening and meet with some clients to initial some changes on a real estate transaction. Since I’ve been practicing real estate for 30 plus years, this was a “no brainer.”

My husband who is a rule follower down to the letter of the law was not on board… at all. But I explained to him that I was sure these instructions were intended for liability purposes for the health care provider. So, we landed on the middle ground. He would drive me to the office and wait for me, and then drive me home. Everything went as planned.

The next day I got a phone call from the “listing realtor”, who, thank God, was from my office. She asked if I was okay. I responded, “Yes, why do you ask?”  Apparently, I missed two places where my buyers were to initial and forgot to include a copy of the deposit check. I couldn’t believe it.  These were rookie mistakes.  But there was proof! She included a copy of what I sent her. I was shocked! When I was going over all this with my buyers, I felt so confident. I knew I had this!

But whether I knew it or not, the anesthesia wasn’t completely out of my system, thus the reason for the post-op instructions. Well, I humbly rescheduled a meeting the next day to correct everything I had missed.  I was confident but “I didn’t know what I didn’t know.”

As I face major life events, I’ve often come back to that phrase… “You don’t know what you don’t know.”

When we face a major life transition– a child stepping out on their own, the loss of a loved one or friend, or a major life decision– should we downsize the house or take a new job…  Often, in those moments, like anesthesia, our minds are foggy with emotion or we’re overwhelmed with the circumstance and we don’t even know it. In those moments, it’s tempting to rely on our own judgment and quickly make decisions to try and fix things.  The decisions may seem obvious, correct, and even wise. But be careful. “You don’t know what you don’t know.”

In times of uncertainty and confusion, we don’t have to rely on our own wisdom.  We have a sure set of instructions and a wise, loving Guide.  So, instead of blundering ahead, pause and ask the questions:

Are my decisions consistent with the instructions God has already given?

Does my choice line up with God’s promises to us in His written word?

Are my conclusions taking into consideration a sovereign God?

It’s important to process all the BIG feelings that come with the hardships of life. And, rather than make quick decisions or snap judgments, the best action we can take is to pause, let our emotions settle and marinate in the truth of who God is and the nature of our loving God.

When “you don’t know what you don’t know” you can always “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Sandy

P.S. When I find myself the target of mean spiritedness, gossip or harsh words, my prayer is that I remember to extend grace to someone who may be the midst of some very hard times. Perhaps they’re coming out of anesthesia too.