So, I twisted my ankle, yet again, and have been laid up a bit for the past week. No, I wasn’t bungie jumping, or sky-diving. I slipped on water on the kitchen floor. Off to the Drs office for xrays. No brake, just a severe spraign. And not as bad as the last one 2 years ago, that resulted in 8 weeks of PT.
The day before I was sitting on my couch with my leg elevated, really quite mad about everything. I wish I could say that I was singing praises to God, and just so thankful for this time down. But no. I was frustrated. I was impatient. I like to do things myself. I don’t want to run on other’s time clocks.
My sweet husband was trying to give me a pep talk about how I could still do so much. that is was “just an ankle” I was venting that I couldn’t do this, couldn’t do that…yadayada ya da….
“I just want to go for a run!!” I burst out in frustration.
So you know what he did? He pumped up my tahiti and put it into the pool. He tied it to one end of the pool, helped me get in, and handed me the paddle.
You should of seen it…I was paddling like mad. I was talking it over with God that sometimes this is exactly how I feel: Like I work so hard, and get nowhere!! After about 20 minutes, I lay back in the tahiti and sunned myself. I did feel better.
The next day I began to thank God for what I had. Because, truly, I have so much.
I had a wedding to attend a few days later. I managed to hobble around on my crutches. But I was a little uneasy because I had to have my daughters do everything for me. I didn’t get to dance, and I couldn’t very easily mingle. I felt kind of useless.
Then there came the daddy-daughter dance. It stirred emotions deep within me so much that I had to get up and go give the mother of the bride (a dear long-time friend of mine) a hug.
As we were hugging, she whispered in my ear, “We wouldn’t be here as a family, if it weren’t for how God used you in our lives.”
In that very moment, I was brought to my knees in humility. Tears filled my eyes as we embraced eachother. Later that night, the father of the bride, also a dear friend of my husband and myself, approached me to say thank you.
Little did I know that in that season 10 years prior would God use me to uplift this couple in one of the most difficult challenges of their marraige.
If he can use me, he can use any of us that are willing to be used and motivated by LOVE.
We can all make a difference, one moment, one day, one person, one couple, one child, at a time.
Do you believe that your life can make a difference?
Hi Storie, sorry to hear about your ankle – I remember how frustrating that can be! But what a great story of your husband helping you to get some exercise in the pool.
I’ll pray for your ankle.
It was also really lovely to read about how God used you in the lives of your friends, it reminded me of how we are not always aware of God’s grace flowing through us ministering to others, that’s so great, bless you
I sprained my ankle a few weeks ago. It looked like someone had planted a half a tennis ball under my skin. I never went to the doctor, though. I just got back up and kept walking…
…I would have LOVED to stay off it for a day or two or three or seven, but sadly that wasn’t an option.
Stupid thing still hurts.
So maybe my life has made a difference because I am a perfect example of what NOT to do when one sprains an ankle…?
Birgit,
It is so true about God’s grace flowing through us. I think that is what made it so humbling. It really makes me think about the now, and the choices I am making to serve others in love.
Great hearing from you!
Storie
TSB
so sorry to hear about your injury! Your comment about making a difference made me giggle…
More than likely, if you had gone to the Dr., he would have advised you to stay off of it. I have a history of ankle injuries…my joints are just highly flexible. After repeated injuries, and doing what you just described, I no longer have the luxuary of just “toughing it out” 2 years ago I had a grade 3 spraign….if it had been any worse, I would of had to have had surgery. I reinjured it during the healing process, which prolonged my healing! Grrrr…..can’t keep a good dog down.:-)
So, I have learned the hard way that I really do need to follow Dr’s orders. even if I don’t think I have time to!
Grr…again!
Thanks for stopping by!
Staying down…doctors orders…ugh!!!
Are we really any help in others’ lives? Yes…we are. Seeing it day in and day out as we rest and can’t really “DO” — that’s a struggle for me.
Can we make a difference? I’m counting on words being enough. I do pray they are well placed and grace-filled to nourish those around.
Thanks, Storie. It’s great to have another thought-filled post to read.
Yes I believe may life can make a difference. I have often found myself in places I thought I should not be, then just like that,it happens and I feel grateful that I just went forward.
Adam
We have got to have coffee.
Carey, Chloe and I went with the teens on our annual weekend fall retreat two weeks ago. Chloe had a melt down Saturday night during worship when a great band named Making Malorie led us. It just started. The Spirit was moving mightly through our hearts.
The Spirit moved Carey, Chloe and me back to the cabin for Chloe to continue her temper tantrum for another 2 hours! I missed everything, but I think I was right where I needed to be.
Well, all the teens were being dismissed, and since Chloe was now fast asleep I headed back down to the sanctuary to buy my Making Malorie t-shirt.
On the way, I decide to run, and in the process I step off into a hole which blessed me with a nice injured ankle that I’ve injured a plethora of times playing high school and intramural basketball in college. Ouch, ouch and ouch. I feel your pain.
Amazing how God uses 3-year-olds and injured ankles to draw us into his presence. I never realize it at the time, but as I journal about later I see his presence.
I still would have rather seen his presence with Making Malorie!!!!
Stoppin by, and I read this blog again, and some different things stuck in my mind.
I love it when God makes me part of His redemption in the lives of others. I love it when He makes others part of the redemption in my life. His healing embrace leaves me speechless, and maybe he let’s me injure my ankle to show me His power. I think so many times that it depends on my effort, strength and plans, but I’m constantly reminded, whether it’s by an injury, illness or delay that His power, love and control has perfect timing, and I never have to wonder if He loves me. I loose a little composure when I think about it. I see my daughter, and I would give my life for her, but that love doesn’t even compare to the love He gives us all 24/7. Thank you Storie.
it can – it does!
With Faith in us and if we act always through Love our difference we make will be HUGE!
Thank you for ‘noticing’ love is a key.
<B