Bear one another’s burdens…Galatians 6:2a

There are times when life can best be described as a roller coaster ride, full of exciting twists and turns, beautiful views from the mountain tops, and the rush of adrenaline when being plunged into a waiting abyss. And sometimes that abyss turns out to be something much different than we’d planned. Such has been my fate this past week. If you read last week’s article, you heard me describe gorgeous mountain vistas, sparkling streams, and visits with some of nature’s four-legged critters, but you weren’t privy to the other side of the coin.

On the last morning of our wonderful camping trip, I bent to pick up an item from the floor when something resembling a lightning bolt began at my hip and coursed downward through my thigh and calf, exiting my body at my toes. The pain was sharp and intense. The whole experience lasted maybe a couple of seconds but left me feeling as if I’d been through a major storm. When I tried to put weight on the leg, it trembled so hard, I feared I would fall. With Ken doing the bulk of it, we managed to pack everything without further incident. I took a pain reliever and prepared for an uncomfortable drive home. It wasn’t as bad as I’d expected but I must admit, I was grateful to arrive home and find two inches of rain in the gauge, eliminating the need to water our landscape areas.

Overnight, however, the pain became worse and when I tried to put weight on the foot, it was pure agony. This continued for two more days, and we determined that I needed to see a doctor. An examination convinced the Physician’s Assistant that I was likely experiencing a pinched nerve and x-rays verified that I had compressed vertebrae that were causing the pinch but, thankfully, no broken bones. The steroid shot I was given relieved my hip pain, but the foot continued to hurt. The PA referred me to Physical Therapy which commenced with my evaluation on Friday. For the weekend, I completed my “homework” exercises and am scheduled for two sessions with the therapist this week and several more similar weeks as we move through summer.

The words to the song, Everlasting God, have been my constant companion this week. Beginning with, Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord, and then on to the chorus;

You are the everlasting God, the everlasting God,

You do not faint; you won’t grow weary.

You’re the defender of the weak, You comfort those in need,

You lift us up on wings like eagles.

I can tell you that patience is not a virtue of mine and I am not good at convalescing. I detest being slowed down and prevented from doing the things that comprise my daily life. I have just reworked my front landscape bed and it needs my TLC. My house needs attention after the flurry of packing to go camping and my inability to address those issues on our return. We managed to replenish our grocery stock, but I really wanted to plan another camping trip.

As you’ve likely surmised, my body said an emphatic “no!”

But you know what? When I arrived at the Physical Therapy facility, I saw people with much worse problems than mine. When talking with friends we learned that they, also, had serious issues to deal with. In reality, I have plenty to do from the relative comfort of my recliner. I have lots of friends and acquaintances to pray for as well as requests on our prayer list from some people that I know and others that I don’t. But all their issues are important. So, I got busy talking to God about all those needs and writing for the Gatepost, and catching up on all my resource typing and time began to pass more quickly. You see, unlike many of those on my prayer list who experience pain all the time, as long as I’m propped up in my recliner, I feel minimal pain. It’s only when I walk that I hurt. Of course, the physical therapist says I have to keep my muscles moving without overdoing it, so I “walk” a fine line.

When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2-3

I guess God was telegraphing a message the old-fashioned way that I needed to slow down, be grateful for my blessings, take time to recognize the needs of others, and exercise patience in letting my own body heal. I also need to express my gratitude to those who have gone out of their way to help me, most importantly my caring husband and a great neighbor. We all need a little or a lot of help from time to time. I’m grateful it has been there for me, and I’ll need to pay it forward when I’m feeling stronger. For now, I’ll do the very best thing that any of us can do for those who have special needs…PRAY! And the Lord has seen to it that I have plenty of time for that!

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. Jeremiah 29:12