Monday, December 23, 2013

Friday (12/13/13)

Update:  

I am wheelchair bound until at least February and possibly beyond.  The doctors said that I am 15 times more likely to have my “good” foot amputated due to injury or illness until I am fitted with my prosthesis.  All the strain and work designed to be handled by two legs is handled by the one I have left.  I was told to protect the good foot at all costs.  I use a walker for transfers (move from bed to chair, etc.); but I am only supposed to take 2-3 hops to get into the wheelchair.  I found that everything takes much longer to accomplish from a wheelchair.  My lap is only so large, so I have to make multiple trips to the table to get lunch on for myself.  Many places I find that I have to back up to get in the right position to reach something and then turn back around to go where I need to.  I am constantly “driving” in circles (and like a typical man, I won’t stop and ask for directions).  I need the walker for transfers, so I fold it up and tuck it on my foot rest to take it with me.  It is sort of like a cattle guard on an old-time steam engine.  It makes turning corners and going through a doorway much trickier.  Although I am bound to one floor of my house—I’ve got freedom.  I love to roll and I`ve discovered that our floors aren’t level.  I can really pick up speed going downhill from the living room to the dining room.  Joyous!  Pray for safety as I make transfers.  The doctors say that most people injure themselves because they forget they have an amputation or get in to too great a rush.  As I go through our narrow doorways, I could easily smash a finger, etc.  Pray that I do not injure my hands or my good foot and leg.

Now that I am alone all day, I get longing for a phone call or visit.  That’s me--I am more of a people person.  I need my personal time, but I also need interaction with other humans (besides my multiple personalities J ).  My wife is more introverted and is happy as a clam to be left alone.  I’ve come to understand how older people or those who are shut-ins would long for someone to spend time with them.   Brighten their day and stop by or give them a call; even a card or email can make a big difference.

I’ve been waiting for some parts for my wheelchair.  I keep hoping; but they don’t come.  Someone expressed that I should be patient.  I’ve heard about patience and I was warned not to accidentally get any on you—it would be bad.  I used to get impatient with my parents when I cared for them because they wanted everything NOW and usually came up with several new things for me to do before I got the one thing on my list done.  I now repent for my attitude and grumbling.  I’m trying to be satisfied and content, but I think that when something (like independence) is taking from you try to reestablish control anyway you can.  I apologize especially to my wife for constantly asking for things.  I think the kid’s book, The Berenstain Bears called it the “Galloping Gimme’s”

Thought for the Day:   

None of us knows what our day will hold or how much time we have left.  We act as if we are bulletproof.  Nothing is going to touch us or harm us.  On many days that is true.  We will arrive home after work relatively unscathed by the day.  But there is always that one day which is the exception. 

James 4:13-16  Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.

I don’t think God is suggesting that we don’t make plans and dream of our future.  What He warns against is the hubris of forgetting about the disaster that MIGHT overtake us and of leaving Him out of our plans.  Ever see teenagers do stupid stuff because they don’t believe they’ll be harmed?  In God’s eyes, that is how most of us go through life.  We cannot control what happens to us so don’t waste the good days you’ve been given.  In a practical way, take time to be with the people you love.  Take time to say the things that you’ve been meaning to say.  Don’t put these things off because you never know what will happen.  Keep short accounts.  Grant others forgiveness whether they deserve it or not.  Do everything you can to mend fences that have been broken down or neglected. 

From a different angle, don’t become rigid and inflexible.  If you do, you’re going to break when the storms of life smash against you.  It may be difficult but trust God for both the seen and the unseen; and during the good and bad times of your life.  Most everything that my wife and I have planned and dreamed upon has been swept away in a matter of a few days.  But we’re okay because we trust more in God and His plan than we trust in our own plans.  If I based all my hopes on what I thought would be the ideal future, I would be crushed.  But I am not because I hope and trust in a caring God.


Begin by trusting God for the little things.  As you see His trustworthy begin to trust Him in greater things.  In a matter of time, trusting God will become second nature to you.

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