Wednesday November 4 2015  EACH DAY IS A GIFT

Just how forgetful am I?  Well, I was informed that today is not my sister’s birthday.  Her birthday is November 7^th and I still have time to send a card.  So my dates all come into alignment.  Today is actually the day my father died when I was 17 years old.  My younger sister was 10.  My younger sister’s birthday was three days later.  So as not to have our father’s funeral on her birthday it was postponed until November 8^th.  All I will say about that time is that it was a difficult time and age for me.  But at least now I have things straight in my head.  (I’m sure my husband would have a wisecrack to say about that last sentence).

One thing I really enjoy about my husband is his quick humor.  There is never a day that goes by that he does not have me laughing and sometimes in stitches.  He has such rapid response with great one liners.  Our son takes after him in that trait.  I don’t know how their minds can work so quickly to have such rapid fire humorous responses.  I don’t know many people who have the retention power that my husband has.  His brain seems to store trivia.  He is a great Trivial Pursuit player.  I guess that is how he responds so quickly.  Usually he has me laughing before we are even out of bed.  His humor is not sarcastic and that’s what I enjoy about his quick wit.

These past few months have been very intense as far as illness, hospitalizations, and recuperation.  Through it all Dave has kept his sense of humor and has helped me through some of my own difficulties.  We are now facing another “setback” if one would call it that.  When I hurt my elbow yesterday it was a bit more serious than I expected.  I knew that is was extremely painful by nightfall but had no idea of the pain I would experience through the night.  I called the nurse on call through my insurance care and was connected with a doctor.  Of course everything is an emergency when you call in at night.  I didn’t take it as an “emergency” but as a time when I wanted direction as to how I should treat it until I could be seen.  I finally talked the doctor out of me going into the E.R..  He did make It clear that I would need to be seen this morning.  Well, when I called in at 8:00 a.m. my office had the information from the doctor on call and I was taken in quite early.  After examination of the swollen, immobile elbow, it was determined that I had torn my triceps on my right elbow.  My doctor did not believe it was totally severed so I am to have limited use of the arm with intermittent exercises to keep the elbow from freezing up.  The limited use is due to the fact that my arm will just not allow me to take my hand up to my face because of the excruciating pain that comes with it.  Not a fun experience.

It might seem at a time like this, when so much as happened over the past four months, that it would be the time when my circumstances might cloud my faith and perspective of who God is.  But the opposite is true.  It is during the difficult times that it is most important to keep my focus on exactly who God is and what He means in my life.  It is a time when I must rely on God and keep my eyes focused on the promises of His Word.  We are promised peace and joy through all circumstances.   God is always with me to give comfort and guide me on my journey through this life.  My hope and confidence is in the Lord.

The doctor informed me that this was a serious injury and would take weeks to recuperate.  “How many weeks?” my husband asked.  The doctor replied that it could take as long as two to six weeks.  Oh WOW!  At least I dodged a bullet.  If the muscle had been completely severed I would have had to have surgery and that would have been worse.  So now we have a household where my husband must not lift anything over 15 pounds, nor should he bend over repetitively, or walk on inclines.  And during the same time frame I cannot lift a spoon or toothbrush to my mouth, put on my earrings (the important matter), nor pick up much with my injured arm.  I can’t even pick up my camera and lift it to my face.  My arm just absolutely will not do it.  I do have motion in my hand and some flexibility in outward motions of my arm but it will not bend toward my face any higher than my chest.  One movement I am thankful for is that it does not bother me to be in a typing position here in front of the computer.  I can use my arm to the limit of the pain.  Even though that is not much it will allow me to continue making our meals, showering, careful dressing and hopefully driving.  I haven’t tried that yet.

Friday I have the conclusion of the school photo session.  I am not capable of doing what must be done.  I have already hired a fellow photographer who will come and set up for me and click the camera.  I wouldn’t even be able to fit the camera on the tripod due to its weight and bulk.  Between Dave and I we should be able to load the car.  I have one good arm and he can open the doors for me.  He said that between the two of us we are one whole person.  I disagreed.  I think my half is less than his half.  It is my purpose to keep him from overdoing it as I do not want a setback in all the patchwork that was performed during the surgery on his body.  Now his purpose is to keep me from overdoing it so I will heal properly.  What he doesn’t realize is that I have an internal monitor and it is not a matter of overdoing it for me, rather I am self-regulated by the limit that the pain sets for me.  And maybe that is a good thing.  I seem to obey pain better than I do people.

So I guess yesterday was a bit more exciting than I thought it was.  It is interesting how just one little thing that you do can set a cataclysmic course for the next few weeks.  I felt strong enough to do what needed to be done so I just did it.  I later told Dave that I think it is time that I start treating myself gently.  I will practice doing so.

Today was taken up with going to the doctor and sleeping all afternoon to make up for all the sleep I lost last night.  After lunch Dave’s Wednesday appointment met him here, I excused myself and laid down.  I don’t even remember my head hitting the pillow.  I slept long and deep.  Hopefully I will be able to get in a comfortable position with my arm tonight and thus sleep a bit better.  I am ever hopeful!

GOD GOES BEFORE ME

By Kathleen Martens

November 4, 2015

So thankful am I for my Heavenly Father,

Nothing is hidden from his view.

He knows all of my tomorrows,

And prepares me to get through.

He desires that I become aware

Of His presence throughout my day,

So that I will feel His comfort

When life doesn’t go my way.

Whatever comes He goes before

And gives me the strength I’ll need.

And He gives me such marvelous joy,

And my every step He leads.

He is my constant companion,

And my confidence is in Him.

He is the true beauty of my life,

A greater treasure than a costly gem.

It is so awesome to know that I never need to be defeated.  God knew me when He formed me in my mother’s womb.  He has never left my side.  I have no reason to doubt that He is with me now in this hour of difficult circumstances.  I need not worry or fret for God’s provision goes before me.  Won’t it just be awesome when we meet Him face to face?  Oh, how amazing that will be!  But until then (and I hope it is a long way off) I will trust in Him and take each day as it is given to me.  Each day is a gift and I accept it as such.

Good night and God bless you.