Sometimes funny things will happen like trying to get yourself dressed with one hand. It is possible but you have to give yourself enough time so that you're not putting yourself into a frantic state. Just the other day I made baked potatoes. Being single adds yet another challenge because I could put the potatoes into the oven, take them out of the oven, put them into a bowl but then who was going to cut it so I could eat it? That someone is me. I got through it and I did not cut myself but instead I learned how to hold a sharp knife a different way and I learned that there is more than one way to do things.
Feeding the cats has not been a challenge since I use a scooper. But cleaning out their boxes, well, that's a whole other story. It is actually painful because I do need to use my right hand to steady the box for scooping. I've learned to use a broom a different way. I actually tuck it under my right armpit and guide it with my surgical hand while my left hand does a majority of the work.
I imagine this writing is pretty boring for those of you who have never had any type of surgery. I commented to my brother-in-law today (who is recovering from his second shoulder surgery) that all surgeries, no matter where they are, have one thing in common afterwards: they hurt.
To top off the evening I wet the bed again. I actually had a very soothing and nurturing dream where I spent time with a Bible teacher I respect. She spent time with me, listened and talked to me about what's going on in my life which I have not revealed on the blog. She hugged me nice and tight and then she gave me a free pass to go to one of her large teaching events. All I had to do was get myself there. I had a car that worked, I'd been given a newer bigger mobile home, I was being blessed so much that maybe all I did is relax. Dreams can do that.
So this writing is going to end this way: I'm in a lot of pain and I don't like it. It's not like I haven't had surgical pain before, it's not like I'm sitting here feeling sorry for myself, it's not like I don't believe that God is providing for me, it's none of that. Or maybe it's some of that. Or maybe it's all of that.
I went to my nieces choral concert tonight. It's called Yuletide on the north side. Sixth graders thru seniors in high school stand for an hour and sing some of the most beautiful songs of Christmas that really speak to the meaning of Christmas. They are saying the name of Christ. They sing about peace. They sing about our creator. In a public school. I was in tears a lot. Some for laughter. And some because my heart was so moved by these children whose choral directors believe in the integrity of this holiday. Jesus is alive! He has always been alive! He will always be alive.
And frankly, the pain that I feel in my hand is nothing compared to the pain that Jesus felt hanging on the cross. But that's not the message right now. The message is that God wanted Jesus to come and Jesus said OK. OK Father, I will go. The Christmas story is not a story. It's an account of history. And I think that message is what gets lost. And that's the message that we all need to carry and remember and tell our friends about. Jesus said YES to birth and the pain of death because our salvation hung in the balance. And our not being with God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in heaven was NOT ok with God and it was NOT ok with Jesus. There is a purpose and a Presence that we have access to.
That's what spreading the good news is all about.
Thanks for listening.
