Monday, January 23, 2012

THINGS CHANGE QUICKLY

Things surely can take a sudden turn in life when you least expect it. Moses discovered this when he met the Lord in a burning desert bush, and Jonah did when God told him to take a trip to Nineveh. Paul found this out as he was traveling the road to Damascus, and Martin Luther did when he got drenched outside in a raging storm.

Carol and I discovered this yesterday, too. She went to an activity at a friend's house, missed a step, and fell, breaking her leg. She thought it wasn't that badly injured and believed the doctor to be joking when he said it was a complete break of the upper femur that would require surgery and pins. And if the surgery was wasn't successful, she might need a hip replacement.

She laughed when the doctor said this, but he then realized wasn't "pulling her leg." She is scheduled for surgery at the Casa Grande Regional Medical Center today, and life will be different around our home till her leg heals.

I had thought she had a low tolerance of pain, but I was wrong. I am sure I'd have yelled a whole lot more than she did when they moved her to another bed and those broken bones rubbed together. I hope any further moves won't be as bad, and that her days ahead will be blessed with a patient and caring husband.

Things surely can take a turn in life when you least expect it. You plan a fun day outside and wake up to clouds and rain. Or you train for a life occupation and find you dislike the kind of life it brings. Or you plan good family life and end up in the divorce court. Or you plan a winter of activities and break a leg.

Of course, not every unfortunate event carries the same result or requires the same effort to overcome. Legs can heal more easily than marriages, and impatient husbands can learn more easily than dissatisfied students or inept politicians. Even with dear guests at our house, it will surely be quieter there in the coming days until we get back to normal, whatever and whenever that will be.

Last Sunday we said in worship, "I praise You, O Lord, because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, and I know this full well." (Psalm 1139:14) We will look for the hidden blessings in this and we accept that this event, too, is a part of God's good plan for us.

Please pray that Carol's surgery is successful and her healing complete.

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