Aftercare

I’ve worn glasses since I was young.  No one realized how bad my eyesight was until one Saturday morning when I was asked to go grab the golf balls my pop had hit into the middle of a field.  I walked over them.  Literally.  To prove a point, Mom took me to the optometrist to prove I could see.  Boy did she feel bad when the doctor said I was blind as a bat.

By the time I was an adult, my vision was terrible.  Let’s just say that the only reason I could read the “E” on the chart was because I knew it was always there.  It looked like a fuzzy thing on the opposite side of the wall.

In 2003, I was working for an amazing ophthalmologist office in Cheyenne where one of the doctors performed Lasik, and I was given the opportunity to be a recipient of the well-known surgery.  I wasn’t exactly overjoyed at the idea of what I called ‘the can opener’ cutting a flap onto my cornea only to then be lasered directly into the eyeball.  However, the possibility of never having to worry about contacts or glasses anymore won out.  With a little Valium courage, Dr. Millin performed my surgery.

After being told I couldn’t look at anything until I woke up the next morning, the anticipation of what I might see built throughout the evening making it very difficult to sleep.  The next morning?  To say I was overwhelmed when I woke up would be an understatement.  My eyes peeked opened into little slits while I tried to focus on the other side of the room at the red numbers of my alarm.  I could read it.  I could actually read the numbers!  I had worn glasses for the over 20 years, and with one little procedure, my sight was fully restored.

I received a clean bill of health from Dr. Millin with some very strict care instructions.  I couldn’t rub my eyes at all; I could tear the flap and cause serious damage.  Continue to wear the goggles at night for the next week.  Pay attention for any changes in my vision.  These are things even now I pay attention to.  (Except for the goggles.  Now that would be just weird!)

Our salvation is very similar to this process.  We decide to make the decision to trust Jesus.  It’s scary, but we can feel the change is going to be for the better so we take the plunge.  We become a Christ follower and give our lives over to Jesus.  All of a sudden, it become clear.  Our eyes are opened to the saving grace of Jesus Christ and it brings about the most exciting transformation.  But what about the aftercare?  How do we take care of ourselves after the initial transformation?

All throughout the Bible, there are clear instructions to keeping us healthy in our spiritual life.  It says to seek Him continually—“Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” 1 Chronicles 16:11.    It tells us to pray—“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving make your requests known unto God.” Philippians 4:6.  The Bible tells us to forgive—“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32.  

And those are just a few of our “aftercare” instructions.  God gave us an entire book that guides us to our healthiest and best lives after salvation!  I encourage you to take a few minutes every day to open your Bible and see what God is telling you.

What verses in the Bible help you stay healthy in your walk with God?  Share in the comments below!

~Erin