When he first woke up, his thoughts were "this is the day Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." His second set of thoughts wondered if it was gone. He moved to sit up and sharp reminders told him it wasn't. The day then began, helping a 4 year old and 7 year old decide who got to play on the computer first, then helping them find their game. Drinking a cup of coffee and washing down a pill. About an hour later he then washed down some Advil with granola.
Later he left for a meeting. The drive wasn't as bad as usual, was this new pill working, or was he just hoping that it was so much, that it seemed like it? He changed his focus from the building pain, and started taking in the beauty of clear blue skies, with autumn leaf filled trees in the forefront. Then he started thanking God for all his blessings. Family, friends, a beautiful day, salvation. By the time he got to the meeting his focus was on his joy in Christ, not how he felt.
Bending and sitting at the meeting started taking its toll. Walking and standing it off helped some, but was somewhat counterproductive. The pressure was off his chest from sitting, but still built up, just more slowly and his foot and ankle were throbbing from running into a chest and a kids toy the week before. Standing and walking only made the foot and ankle throb more. 6 hours had passed and he could take more Advil, except.... he forgot to fill the bottle before he left that morning, so he only had one caplet, a teaser.
Driving home was hurting, both sides and his whole chest were hurting. Pain continued to ripple upward through it, into his shoulders. He tried distracting himself on the way home with a quick prayer and a couple phone calls. Entering the house, his excited children greeted him with smiles and laughter and boisterous, loud welcomes. Smiles and hugs were shared back and forth as he put down his bag and moved to the kitchen to take find the Advil. 3 more, down the hatch. Sweet relief in 45 minutes to an hour. His insides felt like a vibrating painful mush and every movement hurt, he'd waited too long and probably should've left sooner.
As dusk was falling, the kids were coming in for the night and his wife was going to the store, he stood in the kitchen, his body throbbing and watched a beautiful sunset occurring. Truly, he was blessed. A gorgeous fall sky was painted across with oranges and clouds highlighted and glowing, showing off trees and leaves of gold and red. You could almost taste and feel the burst of colors. He had to have a picture, maybe more than one.
Bending over to get his shoes on sent pain, rippling through his body. Why was he doing this? Because, people had to see this beauty, this joy of creation. Stepping out the back door, every muscle in his body hurt, the cool, crisp autumn air brushed his cheek, making him feel so alive. Breathing sent pain rolling up from his rib cage on both sides, up to under his arms and shoulders. He stopped to take a couple pictures. Walking into the front yard, he snapped a few more. Looking at the camera settings, he hoped that the pictures were coming out ok.
As he soaked in the beauty of the crisp cold air, he thanked God for His beautiful creation. Walking purposefully, and steadily, he continued around the corner, so he could get more of the sun coming down. With each step pain rippled through his foot and ankle, pain rolled and vibrated through his chest cavity up to his shoulders. Every breath was measured, trying not to breath too deeply, as it caused pain to roll across the bottom of the rib cage into both sides and up to below his shoulders, his chest feeling like a painful weight had been strapped under his chin. The crisp air had an alive, fresh leafy and backyard fire smell to it. Ignoring the pain, his pace slightly quickened.
Rounding the corner a beautiful panoramic sky of color stretched ahead of him.
He stood and took it in, once more seeing and feeling a beauty that could not be spoken with words or done justice with cameras.
Turning to walk down the next street, towards a nearby park, following the beautiful fall sunset, the young man felt like he'd stepped into a path to another world, maybe a tunnel to Narnia. Trees and vines grew along it, sounds of football games from nearby homes, crackling backyard fires and distant voices seemed to be from another world as the street rolled on in front of him.
Ignoring his pain and continuing forward, the young man absorbed the imagery and beauty into his soul. Thanking and worshiping God for the wonder of His creation the whole time.
At the end of the Narnia-like path, he crossed the street and walked into the park. Going forward a few feet brought him to a place where the view was breathtaking. A mixture of sound, light and glowing colors, took away his breath and made him think that almost the whole sky, leaves, trees and fields were singing a glorious song of worship to their Creator together.
Blessed is the man that trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is in the Lord, For he will be as a tree planted by the waters, that spreads out her roots by the river, and will not see when heat comes, but her leaf will be green; and will not need to be careful in the year of drought or stop yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
No comments:
Post a Comment