Update:
On Wednesday I had a couple of close encounters
with slipping while using my cane. When
I went out on the deck to get the newspaper, as I bent over, my cane went
flying out to the side. Fortunately, I was already bending over and caught
myself with my left arm. The wood deck
had a bit of frost on it, so I just assumed that is why the can slipped. Later indoors on the dry kitchen floor, my
cane slipped out again. What is going
on? After closer inspection I found that
I have worn the tip of the cane through.
The silicone plug in the bottom of the can was showing through. No wonder I was having trouble with it. So I wore through the tip on my cane in less
than nine months. Good thing that I have
a backup cane until I can get this tip replaced! By the way, I did check the tip on my other cane
and it is still solid.
I’m completely over the flu now. I was very disappointed that I wasn’t able to
attend church on Sunday. That is always
a bummer to me. Maybe I’m just a bit
more easily tired; but that is about it.
My left knee (on my amputated leg) has been giving me more discomfort
and pain. By about 5 p.m. it reaches the
point where I am done for the day so I take my leg off and use the wheelchair
for the evening. MRI is scheduled for
next Tuesday to determine what is causing the popping in the joint and the
pain. Not knowing what the problem is
and what the possible treatment options are is an emotional drain for me. I don’t handle the unknown as well as I would
like (not that I want any more practice at it please!). As I think about it; most “certainty” has
been removed from my life. Every day has
its new challenges and discoveries (not always pleasant ones). Scheduling any activity is an act of faith—not
knowing if I’ll be up for it or I’ll have to cancel it. One thing that I’ve learned about being an
amputee is that everyone is different.
People heal at different rates and experience an array of different
problems. The level of mobility and
activities that can be resumed varies considerably. Especially as a new amputee, that makes it
hard is you try to find out what you are facing and what you can expect. Expect the unexpected! Oh there is that darned ‘unknown’ again! I’ve said before that I’ve grown in patience
(and I have). I guess that facing the
unknown is just another form of patience because eventually the unknown arrives
and you know exactly what it is. I just
have to be patient and it will be revealed.
I have to admit that as a kid I never liked waiting to find out what my
gifts under the Christmas tree were either.
Waiting can be so hard! But I can
do it! Especially if I don’t have any
other choice. “Okay Steve, take a deep
breath and relax. Wait for it. Wait for it…”
NOTE: Hey, I
just want to express how much it helps me to write about what’s going on in my
life. I don’t know if it helps you; but
it does a lot for me just journaling.
The problems and difficulties that I write about are real and
personal. Often times in my ‘Thought for
the Day’ I am “ghost-writing” what other friends and FB acquaintances are experiencing. Sometimes when I write, I carry it to an
extreme to make a point. I just want you
to know that although I struggle and have my ups and downs; I am doing fine and
enjoying life. Remember that a roller
coaster wouldn’t be much fun if it was all uphill and level! Life—what a ride!
Thought
for the Day:
Do you ever feel overwhelmed? Are the burdens of your life more than you
can handle? It doesn’t matter if it is
caused by a physical, emotional, mental, relational, vocational, or spiritual
distress (or a combination of them all).
It doesn’t matter if it is happening to you directly or to someone you
love. Too much is too much.
Most of us carry around some amount of burden each
day. We are used to the load and we bear
up under it pretty well. It might be a
struggle; but we handle it. By the end
of the day we are weary and are ready to lay our burden down. However, certain days just seem to come along
and add a bit more stress and our burden grows to the point that it overwhelms
us. It becomes too much for us to bear. It might be a very minor thing that causes us
to reach that tipping point because the burden we are carrying daily is almost
to our capacity. And then just a tiny
bit more throws us over the edge.
What do you do when you are overwhelmed? What can you do?
Some people insulate themselves and try not to
feel. We might overuse comfort food, immerse
ourselves in entertainment, drown our sorrows in alcohol, or numb ourselves
with drugs, etc. We seek whatever forms
of pleasure we can find; even if they may not be the healthiest for us.
Some people dig a little deeper and find some
hidden strength within themselves to rise above their burdens once again. Their attitude, determination, and even desperation
help them go beyond what most people are capable of bearing. Marathon runners will ‘hit the wall’ and be
overcome with fatigue and loss of energy.
Somehow they find it within themselves to keep putting one foot in front
of the other and finish the race anyway.
Some people just need a little more rest, a bit of
food, or a little down time so that they can recharge.
But eventually, everyone reaches the point of being
overwhelmed and none of their normal coping mechanisms work any longer. As the saying goes, “you can’t beat a dead
horse.”
At that point, what I do is turn to God. He is a hidden resource for many people. They draw strength, encouragement, and
renewed vigor from their relationship with Him.
I had a friend comment that they were afraid that I
was “struggling because of my recent setbacks.”
I responded, “I am struggling more; but I have a God greater than any
problem I face. I just have to remember that and stay connected to Him.”
As I was pondering all of this, I came across this bible verse.
Psalm
61:1-4 “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my
prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows
faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower
against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the
shelter of your wings.”
May whatever burdens you bear be easy; but when
they threaten to overwhelm you, may you find the renewed strength through your
relationship with God.
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