“Hey look what you are doing!”;
a co-worker exclaimed to me as I looked at him somewhat confused, not sure what
he was referring to.
I recalled the last thing
that I had been doing and realized that he had referred to me reaching up on a
shelf to grab something. I had gotten so lost in our conversation that I hadn’t
really realized the significance of what I had done.
I had simply reached up and
grabbed something off of shelf and handed it to him. No big deal, right? For most
people that activity would be no big deal, but for me it was. In fact later in
the afternoon I even showed my wife what I could do, and she gave no real
response until she thought about it. Truly it was a day to rejoice.
You see, it had been 327 days
since I had last lifted my left hand over my head. I had torn the labrum in my
left shoulder and could not lift my hand over my shoulder even after surgery.
And, it had been 327 days since
the last time my shoulder felt good. I had been in constant pain; so much that
ice packs and Ibuprofen were my constant companions. It had been 327 days of
learning to see the best and to give thanks God for what DID work in my body as
I waited until the day when once again my body would work “as it should”.
I’ll admit that for some of
the 327 days it was hard for me to accept my condition as it prevented me from
being able to do things like shovel, or get dressed, or lift things for myself. And way too long since I had played hockey!
I’ll admit that for some of
the Sunday mornings, it was kind of hard for me (as both a Christian and as a
pastor) to sit in the front row of a church that at times lifts their hands up
as a form of worship; especially when someone would exhort us all to lift up
our hands. I actually had to remind
myself several times that we are saved by grace; not works.
But here we are, 327 days
later, and I am able to raise my hand over my head; I am able to do some of the
things that I used to do. And the rest, well, I remind myself of so many who
are permanently injured and thank God for what I can do.
So today, I am writing this
to “build an altar” of thanksgiving to the Lord so that I can remember it.
Because, in time, I will forget that it took 327 days to get to this point and
soon I will take my ability to lift my hand over my head for granted.
I am also writing this to
bring hope to you who are still suffering and waiting for your healing
(physical, emotional, spiritual, etc.) to continue to press forward in hope as
you, too, wait for your time of restoration.
Your story isn’t over yet!
The One who made you hasn’t set down the pen and published your story; He is
still working in your life to show who He is to those in your life who also
need encouragement!
Today is another day to
remind yourself to wait upon the One who made you. “But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their
strength; They shall mount up
with wings like eagles, They
shall run and not be weary, They
shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
Today, even today, you can
still find other ways to “lift your hands” and remind yourself of who He is and
what DOES work in your body (and your life).
Yes, it is a matter of
choice! “Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in
Your name.” (Psalm 63:4)
So, “Why are you cast down, O
my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope
in God; for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.”
(Psalm 43:5)
Soon, you too, will have
someone come up to you and say; “Hey look what you are doing!”
The Holy Bible, New King James
Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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