What Now Follow-Up /Power of Yet

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What Now Follow-up/Power of Yet blends two responses and my What Now plight of surgery with finding satisfying solutions to disconcerting disruptions by first considering the simple and positive power of yet.                                                                                                                                         

First, an update on my Spinal surgery--not an uncommon procedure, but some hesitancy occurs when it involves a 90-year-old patient. My surgeon said the next morning, “How’s the leg”. “I’ve been walking around and didn’t realize that I had no pain.”  He said, “Everything just opened up and came together requiring half the time.” “Thanks so much; you did a great job”.  “I had help”, he added humbly.

A hospital visit from great-granddaughters, Clara (5), and Arley (3) along with their parents surprisingly became a catalyst for the current blog subject. The girls excitedly handed me their homemade get-well cards, each with a colorful sticker inside. One sticker read: I believe in the power of yet and the other: Enjoy every moment. “Hmm--very interesting, has a slightly spiritual sound.  I don’t know if I actually uttered this or just thought it, but my mind began to swirl with the intriguing power of yet and enjoy every moment. I was eager to delve deeper into the possibility of linking both ideas to a more positive approach in quickly finding satisfying solutions to What Now disruptions--a super turning point!   

Mac was the first to respond to my informal poll of what does “I believe in the power of yet” say to you? “Hope, very positive” he said. “And substitute the ‘t’ in yet to an ‘s’ and you have “Yes”, he added. Other responses were: “Something is coming”, “You’re not old enough, yet”, “Patience”, “Achievements and goals”, “Good things are coming” and “There’s light at the end of the tunnel.”

As I continued thinking about how those phrases could be used in problem-solving, it hit me: I chose the simple adjective “Yet” as the encouragement when contending with exasperating What Now dilemmas that we all face, toward satisfying resolutions along with the promises of its companion, verb, enjoy (every moment).  This would mean that in every problem, some type of joy can be realiz

Research: Old English gīet (a), of unknown origin. The earliest known use of the adjective yet is in the Middle English period (1150—1500). OED's earliest evidence for yet is from around 1429.

First recorded before 900; Middle English yet(e) (adverb and conjunction), Old English gīet(a) (adverb); cognate with Middle High German ieze “yet, now” (German jetzt “now”)

1. at the present time; now:  Don't go yet. Are they here yet?
2. in the time still remaining; before all is done: There is yet time.
3. in addition; again: The mail brought yet another reply.
4. moreover: I've never read it nor yet intend to.
5. even; still (used to emphasize a comparative)

 The following What Now responses are excellent examples of facing confusing and irritating disruptions and finding ways to step over them by incorporating the helpers--Yet and Joy. (However, they were not aware of the use of Yet and finding Joy as they plowed through addressing their problems).

Now that we are much older, we have medical problems that I thought we could avoid because we live simply, eat home grown vegetables and get enough exercise. I had my cataracts removed without a problem and have had an excellent exam since then. So, I encouraged my husband to go ahead with his. The first one was easy and is now giving him perfect sight. But the second one had a pterygium which had to be removed before cataract surgery. It was removed easily but has not healed. Now it may need additional surgery to close the wound before the cataract surgery. The delay would not mean much to him, but his eye hurts. He prays daily to thank God for healing him and he continues to take care of the garden and his business and also is repairing a bathroom in a tiny church which is trying to have a new start. He allows me to see his pain and to put the ointment in his eye 4 times a day, but never complains to others. He knows it will be healed now or in the future-has faith in the God who has saved us both, and we can still enjoy each other and the world He has given us. K.

My son, Jeff, and I had arrived early at the lake for the family reunion with the goal of catching enough bluegill to use as bait in order to catch a couple big flatheads which would be enough fish for the crowd that would be gathering for the fish fry. Crickets, night crawlers and meal worms were marginally effective bait, but I was always on the lookout for bait that would provide better catch-rate and I was eager to give Crappie Bites a try that I had heard about. Once I quickly caught two bluegills, Jeff switched from his Bass rig to Bluegill rig. With three drop lines baited, the competition to land the most and biggest bluegill was on. We were able to deploy three drop lines at Dad's childhood fishing spot-- Catfish Hotel".  Our expectations were extremely high. We’d check those baited lines tomorrow.

The next morning, we could feel that we had fish on all three lines—exciting possibilities. The middle line was very tight against the wall and required unhooking from the anchor point allowing coaxing the big fish out from under a ledge. The beast erupted with such a vengeance it almost pulled me out of the boat.  As Jeff was preparing to position the net under the fish, the line popped and the huge fish was gone. After examining the frayed line, Jeff exclaimed, "We'll rebait and get him next time".

The next day we harvested 15# and 23# flatheads from that same spot bringing our total to 64# of catfish in two days--a fantastic start but we needed more. With bluegill in the live well ready to draw in more big flatheads, we experienced motor misfire and stalling. After attempting to diagnose the issue we chose to return to the lakehouse. Past experience taught me that you don't want to paddle a boat into the wind and it could be a long time before another boater would come by to provide assistance. 

Jeff determined very quickly that a coil pack was defective. We contacted both local boat repair shops only to find out that they didn't keep the coil pack that we needed in stock. We were able to order coil packs online with a 2-day delivery. Jeff discovered that the 90 HP motor on the pontoon boat used the same coil packs, so we borrowed that one. We were back in business. How many other things could go wrong?

We were back on the water later, only to discover that we still had a rough-running motor. Jeff observed fuel leaking from the #4 carburetor bowl. So, returning to the house, we removed trash from the float jet.

The next day with all gear loaded, we anticipated a good day of fishing. It was hot and windy. Engine stalled on acceleration--every time. Testing confirmed it was an electrical issue. Jeff was especially aggravated with the loss of fishing time. The worst thing we could do was to get irritated, so I reminded Jeff that this was a beautiful day, we had the entire day, there was no rush, we had tools and time to make repairs.  

I was glad that this happened before the family arrived. The issue was traced to the emergency cutoff switch and Jeff quickly resolved the problem. The boat ran like a top for the rest of the trip. We did harvest another 44# of catfish and lots of Bass. The Fish Fry was on time and fabulous! David Ward.

David and Jeff had kept themselves calm with the goal of catching enough fish, a boat that functioned and the accomplishment of providing plenty of fish for the joyful reunion crowd--yet and joy.

Wind-up on me: After ten days at home under David’s care--Roger for three of those—and local Kay, who kept us all on target--and a couple of weeks on my own, I’m almost back to normal, gratefully walking without pain. I feel well enough to dig weeds, but will respect temporary restrictions. I’ve been aware of my own use of looking way ahead to possibilities (yet) with the assurance of joy to follow.

Your responses/comments/questions, and suggestions for subjects are always appreciated. It’s obvious by the stickers story that I’m always listening for blog ideas.

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence with eternal pleasures at your right hand. PS 16:11 (NIV)

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Rom. 12:12 NIV.  

No problem has taken you except what is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not let you be problemed beyond what you can bear, but will, with the problem, also provide a way out so that you can bear it. I Cor. 10:13 (NIV) paraphrased.