From One Degree to Another

I thought I’d get a post up on an upcoming event in my life. On May 23, I was working in the yard and tore 3 tendons and a bicep tendon in my shoulder, which is getting me a rotator cuff surgery this Thursday, June 11. This means, among other things, that I’ll be one-armed for the next 6 weeks. I’ve heard from lots of people who have had this procedure and I guess the recovery is a rough one. So, there’s that.

Many of you also know that in late April, Meg was out teaching our youngest how to ride a bike and hopped on to show him how it was done only to have a freak accident that got her a concussion and quite a few weeks of bedrest, trying to recover from this.

While you’re keeping track, you know that with everyone else we were under stay at home orders due to COVID concerns in late March/April. So, this has been one crazy spring for us.

Some things I’ve noticed through these days already:

1. We are surrounded by amazing friends and family who have supported us in these days. They continue to be there no matter what we need.
2. I’m indispensable. I think that’s the way to word this. I’ve done some work to plan the upcoming weeks but the church has been served well as I’ve needed to back off from my public ministry. My friends have stepped in to serve in so many ways. I won’t be at VBS for the first time in a long while, but it will still be a great week. Even at home, my OCD tendencies are on pause (and Meg’s probably breathing a sigh of relief).
3. I have a new appreciation for those who are battling long term illnesses or issues of pain. I can better imagine what your lives are like, and I’ll be praying God gives you mercy as you endure this.
4. I’ve been humbled and reminded just how needy I am. We humans tend to do independence well. But, in this season, I’ve been forced to be dependent on others: God, my family, my friends, and others. This isn’t bad. In fact, it’s encouraging to be reminded that I’m created in the image of God and need Him.

Those are some quick thoughts. I’ll probably be in a different level of understanding about all of this soon. You can pray for a successful procedure, recovery, and support for my family in these days. I appreciate each of you.

2 Corinthians 4:7–11

[7] But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. [8] We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; [9] persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; [10] always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. [11] For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (ESV)