I've been in a dry spell with blogging lately, and then this week was coming up short on tomorrow's sermon as well. Not to worry, I thought, lots of time at the end of the week.
Then, as if it's the Spirit's little joke, I've been struggling with a very sore back the last couple days. I think I pulled an intercostal muscle ice skating, so even breathing hurts, and lying down doesn't help either.
So I can't be too hard on Naaman in 2 Kings 5. Yes, he's plagued by his own pride, power and prejudice as well as leprosy. But sickness makes people cranky. I have newfound respect for all my friends and family who live with chronic pain. He wants relief, and wants it now. To everyone like him, it probably sounds patronizing to give the old line, "But if he gets the quick fix he wants, he won't be healed of his real problem. . ."
I mean leprosy, for God's sake! He's got every right to be impatient.