I was simply dancing to “Just Dance 3” songs, as my daughter and I played with the Wii several months ago. I never felt a thing until the next morning when I stepped out of my bed and felt a pain I’d never experienced before. Hmmm…I must have pulled a muscle in my knee…or so I thought.
About a month ago, an MRI revealed that I had actually torn the medial meniscus in my left knee. Seriously? Just from a little competitive dancing with my teenager one night? Yep! To make matters worse, it would require surgery to fix it. I honestly couldn’t believe this was happening to me. The surgeon further shared that there were two possibilities for the type of surgery, one would require very little recovery – the other about six weeks in a leg brace, physical therapy, and lots of patience!
Last Wednesday was the day I learned the outcome. I had knee surgery. As it turned out, the meniscus root was completely detached, and I had to have a full repair…meaning extensive recovery. Six weeks in a metal brace, physical therapy, and did I mention…LOTS of patience!?! I was so discouraged to wake up and learn this news. I truly had prepared for the worst case scenario (or so I thought) but had expected the best. It just didn’t turn out the way I had hoped.
And yet…how often does life not follow the plans WE make? This Friday marks the one year anniversary of my husband’s suicide. Another part of life that I never expected to experience! And yet, as I think back to what I experienced around this time last year, what’s a little meniscus tear in the grand scheme of things? It could be so much worse…
I have friends battling cancer.
Another woman is getting ready to say goodbye to her young husband due to a brain tumor.
I have dear friends still struggling to sell a home to be able to reunite a family that has been apart far too long.
Another friend has a prodigal child that is tearing her heart apart.
I have loved ones still in need of employment.
There are orphans all over this world crying out for a mommy and daddy. My little “Holly” is one of them.
The homeless will be sleeping in boxes, under bridges, in shelters, or wherever they can find again tonight.
Suicide will claim another in a few short minutes, and another family will be radically changed forever.
Another child is about to swept into the world of sex trafficking and forever deprived of his/her innocence.
A woman is about to be beaten…again…by her alcohol addicted husband.
A child was bullied once again for being overweight.
Their cries…their tears…even their silence…pierces my heart. I ache for ALL of them!
And so…even though my leg is swollen tonight after pushing myself a little too hard today…even thought I can’t walk completely normal at the moment…even though I have bruises all over my arms (from crutches) and legs (from surgery)…even though I have a six week “life interruption” right now…
I KNOW I am blessed! And…this little “setback” that I’m dealing with is NOTHING compared to what’s going on around me.
Abba, may all of those hurting right now feel Your presence deeply. May those who don’t yet know You be led to You through their pain. And may those of us not experiencing any pain or little pain in our lives be sympathetic to the agony of those that do. I love You Lord! In Jesus’ name I ask these things of You…Amen.
You amaze me and inspire me. I’m praying for your recovery, but especially this week, that day…I’ll be thinking of you.
Thanks so much Deborah! You’re a sweetie!
Beautiful through and through! That’s what I feel about you as my “sissy” and about the beautiful talent you have putting your thoughts on paper (computer formatted paper). I’m one proud little sister who most definitely looks up to her big sister.
Thank you Erin! Honored to be your big sis!
Isn’t it amazing how God uses all the unexpected things in our lives to help shape and change our perspectives? It’s as if he gives us a new lens to look at life through so that we might truly “see” with his heart. When we go through major and horrific trials like suicide it certainly makes me rethink what I use to call a trial or difficulty. And there are countless others who continue to suffer great trials and persecutions each and every day, like you mentioned. I’m praying Leah, that while you’re healing from your knee surgery (and I commend you for the Dance 3 efforts!), that God continues to use you in a mighty way. God doesn’t waste anything, does he?
Thank you for your wise an encouraging words Brenda! He has definitely given me a new “lens” to view life through! And…it’s beautiful when looking through the lens He gives me! 🙂