A Thorn in My Side

Brianna Barrett

September 4, 2024

Kim Russell shares the thorn in her flesh that drove her into the arms of Jesus.

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 ESV

The Thorn

In September of 2017, I developed an eye condition that impacted my entire body, especially my legs. I never knew what I’d feel like in the morning; which made it hard to even put my feet on the floor and get up for work. I was reminded of Paul’s thorn in 2 Corinthians because like him I pleaded with God to remove the pain and uncertainty from my body.

In January of 2018, I was diagnosed with Thyroid-Associated Eye Disease, nicknamed Crazy Eye because the eye acts inconsistently. Therefore making it nearly impossible to find lenses to ease the pain. The doctor had only two pieces of information for me. The disease would last two years and there was no treatment for it. So, I could consider an Italian study during which I could completely lose my sight for a few days. Or I could wear an eye patch. As nice as a trip to Italy would be. . . eye patch it was.

When Life Gives Us Thorns

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade and when life gives you an eye patch, bedazzle it. Granted, it was too heavy to wear for very long, but my students enjoyed it. Because yes, I wore an eye patch while teaching high schoolers. I explained what was going on and what it meant when I needed to wear the patch during class. They were so caring and thoughtful.

I remember going for a run and feeling my knee start to hurt. Thinking that the whole experience would make a good testimony at some point, even though I didn’t know what that testimony would be.

Knowing Why

Now I know.

Now I know that God used this time for me to draw close to Him. I fell in love with His scripture in a way that still amazes me six years later – His words are my lifeline.

Now I know that He put healthcare providers in my life at that specific time who didn’t think I or my symptoms were crazy. They took care of me physically, sometimes weekly, but simply asked me what hurt that day.

Now I know that He gave me friends and family to whom I could just say I was having a bad day and they helped me and gave me time to rest. This disease drained me physically, so there were days I missed family gatherings because I needed to lie down and sleep.

Now I know that God’s grace is sufficient when I am weak. There are days when my eye still bothers me . . . a lot. . . especially when I’m stressed, but I know that God shines through my (literal) weakness.

Now I know that God won’t leave me where He brings me but will lead me through it.

And I still have the bedazzled eye patch in my desk at work as a reminder that God was there and brought me through it ☺.

Meet Kim Russell

Bio: Kim Russell is a teacher, musician, worship leader, daughter, sister, runner, kickboxer, beach reader, and lover of God’s Word. She is in her sixteenth year of teaching music in public schools, with an emphasis on 6-12 choral education. The art of teaching is her passion, and she enjoys developing teaching skills in herself and her fellow educators.

Website: www.KimDRussell.com

Instagram: kim_d_russell

X: @Kim_D_Russell