I walked gingerly into the house, one eye closed in order to maintain focus and clarity. "Please excuse me kids, I need to put down my back pack", struggling to keep on course as I slowly walked to the chair where I unshouldered my burden.

The day had begun much more brightly, as I prepared for my work, filled with energy and enthusiasm. One task after another I accomplished with ease and skilled repetition. There is some satisfaction in doing a job which few others can, but my motive was very different and had been for fourteen years. I had followed God's calling into a ministry and after doing many functions for which I gladly contributed, I was given this choice.

Taking a break shortly after noon, I put my chicken salad and a plastic bowl of guacamole on a plate, eating and relaxing with music on earbuds at my desk before returning to my post noon appointments. Just toward the end of the time, my eyes began to separately wander, while I suffered intense vertigo. Shaking my head, I attempted to force the muscles into convergence. No go. I felt nausea, persistent, yet without actual pain.

Frightened, I finally got my things together and slowly trod the same old pavement I had hundreds of times before to my car. Now, I was having to keep one eye closed to maintain balance. I drove home only occasionally opening the second eye when the road was straight and the two would work together, but unlock if I looked at anything else.

After dropping my pack, I went straight to my bedroom and asked my daughter for a bottle of Pepto, of which I drank several swallows. Within minutes, the nausea abated, my eyesight clearing concurrentlly. My strength somewhat returned as my two concerned children and I discussed the possibilities.

I was pretty sure by now, that I'll gotten a slight case of food poisoning from the chicken. Only with a full night's sleep did my strength return! What a relief it was to see again!

All our strength is dependent on the health of our body! All our spiritual health depends on us loving the Lord with all our heart! I must set my sights on the Lord in order than my entire mind, body and soul be able to function the way I was designed. How forcefully that came home to me during the unsettling hours of my illness!