Guarded Paths

As some of you know, a week ago today I fell, resulting in a radial head fracture to my right arm. I'm doing well, thankfully didn't have to have a cast, but it will be several weeks before it's healed and can function normally. Ever since then, I'm cautious where I walk. I don't want to trip and fall again. Obstacles are everywhere. Things get in the way.

Wouldn't it be great if we guarded our spiritual lives in this same way? We were cautious of our surroundings, not wanting to fall into sin by previous temptations? Maybe we would guard our feet, our eyes, our mouths, our hands. Maybe we would say no to certain things that have entangled us and tripped us up in the past. Maybe we would watch more carefully where we go or who we hang around.

Just as I was clumsy and didn't have my eyes in where my feet were going, perhaps the sins we commit are made in the same way - clumsily and with our eyes pointed in the wrong direction.

Just some thoughts for you to consider this afternoon. Pay attention to your surroundings. Keep your eyes focused on what matters.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

My steps have held to your paths;

    my feet have not stumbled.

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;

    turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.

Psalm 17:5-6

Day Three of Crazy

If you read yesterday's post, you know that I had had two days of crazy. I felt like satan was throwing darts at me. My husband thought that perhaps God was telling me that I had too much going on, but I didn't really. Now I'm thinking that maybe he was right. I can't possibly know exactly if God was telling me to slow down, but I'm for certain that I am going to be forced to slow down....not by choice.

Yesterday afternoon, I was at the school decorating for our Jr./Sr. Banquet. I was going out to my vehicle to unload more things, at the same time watching to make sure my son was backing up another vehicle enough to let traffic by. I angled off of the walkway towards my vehicle, catching the corner of the sidewalk. I tripped and fell flat on the asphalt and gravel.  Oh, it hurt! My son didn't see it, but a couple of other teens did and they hurried to make sure I was okay.  I wasn't sure, but I know it hurt enough that jumping up out of humiliation wasn't my first thought!

Because typing is an issue, and I have an appointment to go to, I'll skip the small talk and just say that I finally realized it needed to be checked. I felt like it was more than just muscle and outer pain. I have a radial head fracture and will be seeing an orthopedic doctor today about what to do next. I'm right handed, so it is surely making things difficult. I have many decorating obligations to do over the next few weeks and months and that will be the biggest obstacles - well that and just getting ready every day.  And cooking....and cleaning.....Oh, I know...I will adjust.  It will just take me more time to do things. It's my first broken bone - ever!

I allowed myself a few hours to feel sorry for myself last night, then prayed that God help me be thankful it wasn't worse.  And, there are so many people we know who are facing serious life obstacles, so my arm isn't that big, BUT for me...right now....it is big. My husband and boys will help a lot. If our daughter was here, she could help more with the decorating part, but college will be over in just a few weeks, then she can help some.  So please pray for me. Pray for my healing and patience.  Thanks in advance!

Use It or Lose It

When our son first broke his arm the week of Thanksgiving, it was a strong arm - with lots of muscle.  He had been playing football and basketball and was very active.  It was his dominant, right arm.

Right before Christmas, the big, bulky cast was removed and this shorter, smaller cast was put on - just in time for our trip to Disney World.  Jacob noticed that his arm was much smaller and the cast even got looser as the weeks went by. (Note:  Donald Duck signed Jacob's cast!  See his signature below!)

Yesterday, after three weeks of wearing the short cast, the cast was removed!  Yippee!!  We're so excited, especially Jacob!!  His bubble was burst a little bit when he found out he would have to wear a brace for three more weeks.  He was ready to be totally done and get back to basketball.  He may get to play the very last basketball game of the season, but no more than that one.  

Jacob was shocked to see how small his arm was now.  He has muscle atrophy...the loss of muscle due to the lack of use.  It's normal after being in a cast, but Jacob doesn't like it!  None of us would!

The phrase "use it or lose it" is true.  Whatever we have and don't use - we lose.  Plain and simple.  Spiritually speaking, it is the same way.  If we don't use God's Word - by reading it, living it, and learning it - we will lose it.  Our knowledge - however big or small - will not be retained if we don't review it from time to time.  If we want to grow spiritually, we must continue to "feed" and "exercise" our minds by reading the Bible, memorizing the Word, and applying it in our lives.

When Jacob saw his arm he was shocked and is anxious to do something about those muscles!  He's anxious to use them again!  Shouldn't we be shocked if we were to see our spiritual lives diminishing?  Hopefully and prayerfully so.  Actually, hopefully and prayerfully we don't get to that point where we see any lessening, but are constantly striving to grow and build that strength.

Examine your life daily.  Examine it by God's standard - by His Word.  Don't let the "use it or lose it" ever apply to your spiritual life.  Grow in Him.  Build up your strength through Him.  God loves you, and He wants you to continue loving Him, too! 

Our First Broken Bone - Wonderfully Made!

Around 9:15 p.m. last night, our 14 year old son, Jacob, was playing basketball and giving 100%, but trailing by over 40 points.  There were just a few minutes left in the game, so it wasn't a close game, but our team continued to play hard.  The opposing team shot and Jacob tried to steal the ball or interrupt the play going full speed.

(Jacob giving me a silly face so I could send a pic to his siblings at home.)

A mat covering a brick wall a few feet behind the goal, didn't do much to protect Jacob's arm as he went full speed into the mat - putting his arm out to help him slow down.  The speed and force broke Jacob's arm immediately.  He dropped to the ground.  My husband saw him drop, but thought it was his knees (Osgood Schlatter).  He said to me, "Jacob just got hurt!".  When we looked down the court we could see Jacob lying on the ground, holding up his right arm.  But the arm wasn't shaped like a regular arm.  The bottom of it was an "S" shape.  My husband and I jumped up, raced down the bleachers and across the court to Jacob.  The game was stopped and actually just called.  Everyone knew immediately that Jacob's break was pretty bad.  Arms aren't supposed to be "S" shaped!

The first thing Jacob said to me when I went to him was,  "Mom, don't look."  I said, "I already did," trying to stay calm, pray, and keep Jacob from worrying.  He was fine the whole time.  Our youngest boy (Biscuit) was with us.  He was crying.  He didn't like seeing his brother in pain or on the ground like that.  The first thing he said to Jacob was, "How are we going to play football?"  Sympathy came later.  The important thing at the time (to Biscuit) was the fact that Jacob's ball playing was over for a while.

The opposing team called nurses in their small town and the school officials called the ambulance.  The nurses did their best to immobilize Jacob's arm.  Jacob was transported to the nearest hospital where he was evaluated.   After x-rays, it was determined that Jacob needed more than just a cast, but would need surgery.  We wanted Jacob taken on to the hospital where my husband's orthopedic doctor was and where their pediatrician is located.  However, after talking with the doctor there, he felt like Jacob should be taken to a pediatric hospital in Oklahoma City.  That hospital was full with trauma patients (so sad) so he was taken to a different hospital in the City. My husband rode with him in the ambulance while I took Biscuit home to stay with his older siblings.  By then it was 12:30 a.m.

The ambulance arrived at the hospital about 3:15 a.m. and I got there at 3:45 a.m.  New x-rays were taken to compare with earlier ones.  I could tell when I walked in a saw Jacob's arm that it wasn't a bad "S" shape.  In fact, it didn't look very bad at all.  The x-ray showed the same thing - that the bones had naturally moved back into their natural position.  Still broken, but now no surgery was needed!  Praise God!  Isn't it amazing how He created our bodies so wonderfully?!?

Jacob's arm was splinted and around 5:00 a.m., we headed towards home....stopped to fill pain medicine prescriptions and to eat.  None of us had slept in almost 24 hours at that time.  Jacob would need to get a cast on within a week and sees the orthopedic doctor tomorrow.

It was amazing to watch Jacob.  He was never scared....never worried....never upset the whole time.  It was the first broken bone in our 18 years with our children. (My husband had a few - his first broken bones - several years ago.)  We've been very fortunate.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,  I know that full well.

Psalm 139:14

Jacob wanted to go to school for a little while when he got home.  He wanted to take the test that he needed to, but also wanted to show his teammates and other kids, who had been at the game, that he was okay.  They were so glad to see him and hear about his interesting night.  

As Biscuit and I left the hospital last night, I told him I needed to cry for a few minutes.  He said okay.  Before that I had stayed totally calm, even though the site of the arm made my stomach turn.  I just didn't like leaving Jacob and knowing I wouldn't see him for several hours....and not sure if he would go right into surgery or what.  I also was sad that it was Thanksgiving week - a huge, tradition-filled week for our family.  I didn't want Jacob to have to miss any of it.  And now he won't.  Prayers were answered through those few moments of tears.

I didn't take a picture of Jacob right after he got hurt...with his "S" shaped arm and a swarm of people all around.  I thought that might make me look like a weird/strange/sad mom!  But now I really wish I had!  I think he'll wish I had too, someday.  So....if you EVER see something weird and think, "Should I take a picture?"  Do it!  You'll probably regret it if you don't!

We are so very thankful for all of the friends and fans of our team and the other team...plus the school officials, coaches, nurses, EMT's, and doctors that helped care for Jacob.  But God is the ultimate healer, and I believe that He worked in Jacob's life last night....and still is...to heal his arm.  And for that I am extremely thankful.  Prayers aren't always answered immediately.  Last night they were.  Thank you, God!