A Tick, a Bee, and God
A TICK, A BEE, AND GOD
Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us. – Paul Millsap
How many times in our lives do random things happen that, at first glance, appear to be awful occurrences? Perhaps you’ve been let go from a job, or a company shut-down. Maybe someone broke off a relationship with you. Or maybe, like Ellie Lobel, you found yourself in a medical crisis. Ellie found out that not everything that looks bad, is bad.
When Ellie Lobel was 27 years old, she was bitten by a tick and contracted Lyme disease. Not realizing what it was, she went to doctor after doctor who diagnosed her with everything but Lyme disease. Her body reacted with flu-like symptoms and horrible pains that kept her down. It was not until a year later, they finally diagnosed her with Lyme disease. By then, it was too late.
For 15 years, she was either in a bed or wheelchair, getting no relief from the awful symptoms. Ellie gave up the fight, moving to California to basically die. She hired a caregiver to help her navigate. One day, wanting to feel the fresh air on her face and listen to nature, she had the caregiver take her for a walk. Though her brain had been in a fog for some time, she wanted to enjoy these last few days of her life. She was standing near a tree when a bee appeared hitting her in the head. Ellie was very cautious of bees having been bitten when she was two and going into anaphylactic shock. More and more bees began to swarm. Ellie’s caretaker ran, but Ellie couldn’t run. The bees swarmed her hair, got in her ears, all she could hear was the constant buzzing. She was sure this was the end for her.
But it was not to be. Ellie went home with hundreds of bites on her, not caring to go to the hospital since she was dying anyway. But she did not die. Day after day, her Lyme disease improved. Four years after the horrible incident, Ellie’s bloodwork came back with very healthy results. What first appeared to be a tragic incident that would end her life, became the one thing that actually saved her life. After doing much research on the subject, Ellie realized the bee venom was helping her Lyme disease symptoms abate. Ellie began a regimen of ten bee stings a day three days a week. After four years, Ellie appears to have completely recovered from Lyme disease.
Ellie’s story is a powerful reminder of how God can cause good to come from seemingly bad things. What looked like the thing that would end Ellie’s life, was the thing that became her saving grace. And Ellie’s story would prompt researchers to study her case in order to help others with Lyme disease.
When we are in a dark place, we have a choice. We can choose for it to swallow us up or we can trust that God will use it for our good. Isaiah 55:8-9 says “My intentions are not always yours, and I do not go about things as you do. My thoughts and my ways are above and beyond you, just as heaven is far from your reach here on earth.” (VOICE) We cannot begin to fathom the mysteries of God, nor His ways.
The next time you find yourself in a situation you find hopeless, ponder on the mysteries of your Almighty God. Trust in His unfathomable grace and mercy. Begin to look for His loving hand to move in a way you never thought possible. The Lord delights in His works; He delights in His people; He delights in justice, loving-kindness, and righteousness; and He delights in giving good gifts to His children. He will surely delight in turning your bad situation into a triumph.
Job 11:7 – Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?” (NIV)
