Cristy Maddox - Chronic Blessings: Finding Lifes Greatest Joys within Your Deepest Heartache

Made for Grace Publishing

P.O. Box 1775 Issaquah, WA 98027

Copyright 2019 by Cristy Maddox. All rights reserved.

Designed by DeeDee Heathman
Editor: Katie Rios
Executive Editor: Valerie Heathman
Author Photo Credit: Peyton Farmer

Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by the Lockman Foundation and the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data

Maddox, Cristy.
Chronic Blessings: Finding Lifes Greatest Joys within
Your Deepest Heartache
p. cm.
ISBN: 978-1-64146-354-6 (pbk.)
ISBN: 978-1-64146-362-1 (eBook)
LCCN: 2018956065

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Made for Grace Publishing is an imprint of Made for Success, inc.
Printed in the United States of America

DEDICATION

Greg,

You have had to learn the true meaning of for better, for worse; in sickness and in health far too young. Not only have you proven yourself to be a man of your word, but even in the midst of all the chaos, you still manage to encourage, support and empower me to chase my ridiculous dreams. Thank you for loving me and believing that God will come through.

You forever have my love and gratitude.

A s I sit clinging to my purse in the icebox otherwise known as the Detroit Metro Airport, I have learned to set much of my pride aside for my own safety. Ive had no choice. There are so many lessons I have had to learn the hard way, one of which Ive just implemented: asking for help.

However, as I sit here alone while the minutes tick by, Im not sure if the help is coming. Im not even sure if the woman at the counter understood what I was saying.

I know that it is hard to understand me when my speech becomes slurred, and the panic that was starting to set in probably didnt help either. But I hope that she at least got the message that I need help. She told me to sit to the side and wait.

So, Im waiting. Its not as if I have any other choice.

The terminal is now empty; all the other passengers have returned home or gone to find hotels. I just wish I knew what to do. As I begin to feel more and more alone, I cant help but wonder: If I were 80 and walked with a cane, would I have been left here for this long?

And I cant believe that this is actually happening. This is why I was so afraid to make this trip alone. Yet, I had been doing so well that I kind of felt like I was being a big baby about it. The flight out was perfect, and the days with my publisher went beautifully. I was excited to share about what God has done in my life, and the innumerable lessons Ive learned. My confidence was renewed, and even though I was totally exhausted from the trip, I wasnt the slightest bit worried about the return flights home.

Sure, my heart rate was sky-high and my right leg was starting to feel a little weak, but I expected those things to be happening after the busy days I just hadespecially considering I just had to stand in line for an hour to get through security. In fact, I would have been shocked if those things didnt happen.

Even though I felt pretty bad after the security line, I made it from Seattle to Detroit in one piece. I even made it on and off the train from one terminal to the next and walked through a crazy tunnel with flashing disco lightswithout losing my balance or getting sick. Overall, I thought I was doing pretty well.

But then the delays started; one after another until it was after 10 p.m. When another delay was announced, I got up to use the restroom. Unfortunately, my right knee started to buckle on the way. Not a good sign. Its sort of like the rumble of thunder just before the downpour. If you can run back inside, youll be safe from the rain, wind and lightning.

But I had nowhere to run. I needed to get on that plane.

As I made my way back to my gate, the noise and light began to intensify. I decided to sit at another empty gate that was far enough away to be quiet, but close enough that I could still hear the announcements. It seemed like a good plan at the time. However, when they announced that the flight had been postponed until noon the next day, I was too far away and too slow to make it to the counter before everyone else was already in line.

I managed to text Greg with the new flight info, but I was in bad shape by this pointdizzy, weak, blurred vision and having a hard time bearing weight on my right leg. And then the long wait in line; that was the final straw that did me in.

When I reached the front of the line, all I could do was lean on the counter and say, I need help. The woman was busy printing my new ticket for the next day. What do you need help with?

I couldnt think. I could barely stand. I didnt know what to say, so I muttered, I need I just dont know what to do. Cant stand.

The lady told me to go sit to the side, and she would call someone.

That was an hour ago. It is quiet, and I am sitting with my legs up on the metal chairs. I keep looking at my phonethere are multiple missed messages from Greg. I know I could use my phone to help me figure out something, but I just dont know what or how. As I stare at my phone realizing just how incapable I am, the tears start to trickle down my face. And then they pour.

I am all-out sobbing when a woman walks up to see what I need. I do my best to pull myself together. The woman explains that the airline is not covering hotels due to this being a weather-related delay, but that they can give me a discount voucher.

What do I do with that?

You decide on what hotel youd like to stay at, call and book your hotel and then take one of our shuttles directly to the hotel.

She may as well have told me to build my own airplane and fly it home.

I look down at my phone and think a minute. Realizing I cant do any of the things she is telling me to do, I simply reply through my tears, I cant do that.

You cant?

I dont know how. I dont think I can walk. At least Im making a little sense.

Well, we can have someone take you to where you get your discount voucher. Then, once you book your hotel, they can take you to the shuttle.

It still sounds like rocket science to me. I look down at my phone again and the multiple missed messages from Greg. The wheels are turning. I just know there must be some simple solution but it is over my head. I cant.

Well you can stay here.

Now Im crying harder.

I can get someone to take you to a place in the airport that has chairs that are a little more comfortable. We will get you a blanket and a pillow.

Okay.

She disappears, and my crying continues. I know a night in the airport will be miserable. But thats not the reason for my tears. Im crying because of how utterly helpless and pathetic I feel. Im an adult who cant figure out how to book a hotel! Im an adult who cant figure out how to use my phone to let my husband know whats going on! And Im crying because I know this is going to set me back physically.