Procrastination isn’t good when it comes to our health

by Jennie McGhan
Okay, so we women, and men for that matter, often times have a tendency to allow our medical needs slide until absolutely necessary.
We dread going to the doctor. We don’t want to hear bad news or find out we are eating the wrong things or hear the doctor say we need to change habits with which we have grown comfortable.
I am one who has procrastinated for five years on getting the annual physical. I have gone in for an ear infection or something that needed immediate attention. But, I had failed to schedule the dreaded physical exam.
Well, I finally "bit the bullet." I went in for the exam this week. It went better than I anticipated. I found out my blood pressure is lower than I remember it ever being and I now know my weight. My doctor scolded me slightly about the time lapse between physical exams, citing that I should schedule them on my birthday.
Unfortunately, I am getting old enough now that I need to have other health issues tested that I haven’t needed before. So, I had the wonderful experience of taking a trip to the lab at our local hospital for blood work. Needles … Need I say more?
My doctor also noted that with my increasing age, I am not far from needing another test suggested for women. We will explore that in just three years. And, I am not excited about it.
It is a fact of life that we need to keep up the maintenance of our health. Without the check-ups, something could go drastically wrong before we realize it, and our health may be in jeopardy.
I know this. Do I like this fact? Certainly not, however I don’t wish to have my health deteriorate. I don’t relish the idea of getting older. After all, I still feel like I am invincible.
I am still young. Many point out that I am a "baby" in comparison to themselves. But, I am not as young as I may look. I am not as young as my age suggests. There are certain changes that begin now. And, that is a fact.
Perhaps denial is good in some instances, however our health is not something to take lightly. A trip to the doctor can wake one up to reality.
I am just happy that I am still relatively healthy and can look forward to a few more years, God willing, on this earth.
Hopefully, I will be courageous enough to set aside all procrastination in the years to come.

Growing up with character

Okay, I don't often like to "brag" on my children because some times I feel that it is too much. My children are not always obedient and they aren't geniuses, but I love them dearly and believe they are perfect in God's eyes. So, I am hoping this comes across as bragging because of who I have "trained up" my eldest child to become in Christ.

I went shopping with my three darlings, whom too many people think are so adorable. I would like to ask them to spend a week with these little angels because they can be awfully ornery and stubborn.

On this particular trip, B insisted he bring his allowance because his little brother was going to have a birthday in just a few days. I thought that was wonderful of him to think of his little brother, not expecting him to truly follow through at the age of 10. I figured he would find something he would like and buy that under the guise of his brother's birthday present.

So, we shop and he asks me to let him know a good time to sneak off to purchase the present he KNOWS his brother will like. I tell him just before I am getting to the meat to go find the present and go to a register to make his purchase. I would meet him at the vehicle.

Low and behold! The child spent approximately half of his money on a Lightning McQueen toy that his brother really did end up loving.

To me, this showed so much character. He could have left all the gift purchases up to me. But, he did this and I am so proud of him.

The youngest child's birthday was this past Saturday, June 9. One of his "most favoritest toys" is the one his Bubba bought him.

I let my son know how proud I am of him. I am proud that he has a heart for the Lord and occasionally forgets to be selfish. At 10, I hardly believe he is capable of being so selfless and mature. But, he is growing up and with the Lord's help, he will become quite a wonderful young man.

In-Law Question

Okay, so there are bad stories about in-laws out there. I just don't get it! I don't understand in-laws that can't embrace one another and love one another. Heck! I can't understand families who can stop talking to one another completely.

I have some in-laws who believe rumors and have outright told my husband they wish he had never married me. After the fact, they have advised him to divorce me. He recently told me one of his sisters would like to beat me up.

I am no saint. But, I certainly am not EVIL. That is how I feel they think of me.

He is the "baby" of five with his closest sibling being six years older than him. And, all the siblings are female. So, mom is very protective and since he has already experience heartache from someone else leaving, she is even more protective.

But, I have tried to be my true self. They didn't like that I am so "open" about my feelings, opinions or whatever. So, I began guarding myself. Part of the reason I guarded myself to friendships is because our small town ... Well, the grapevine here is much like the old game. I would say something and it would be repeated and twisted until it was the exact opposite of what was really stated. NO friends in town!!! That became my cardinal rule. This family is in too deep with too many people whom I don't know to trust.

But, the hurt I feel over all of this runs pretty deep. I have lived here more than nine years. I have been married to my husband more than eight years. I don't feel like much more than an outsider in the town I live in. Fortunately, I work primarily in another town. But, some of my news stories are in this one and I have had one interview (unknown which one exactly) bite me.

Then, my in-laws think I say these nasty things and I have no way of defending myself.

Is it worth a defense? Or, should I just keep my guard up at all times?