I have a friend recovering from shoulder surgery – repaired rotator cuff – just like I had 7 years ago – seems like a lifetime ago now… Now, as she is starting swinging the sling and doing things around the house, I am reminded of the immobility that we TRY to keep – the sling and pillow are there for a reason – and we are supposed to be not overdoing it – so there is time for repairing parts as well as setting the stage for the vigorous therapy to stretch and rehabilitate. You have to have repair before you can stretch.
In my own shoulder repair, I had lots of scar tissue develop in recovery, I had the need to break through it – 76 physical therapy visits – just a distant memory now – and I had achieved almost full restoration after a few months but needed one more surgery to simply cut away the duct-tape like wrapping of scar tissue that formed all around my inner shoulder parts – I was cushioned from movement but also you could say tissue-scarred to keep myself from injuring myself in recovery. God really was bubble-wrapping my life – then and now – and I appreciate that.
The “Jesus Calling” book devotional (Nov 16th) is so fitting for EVERYDAY – let God open and reveal the day WHEN He feels we trust Him – He will keep the fog of protection, the darkness of stillness, the simple “follow me” one set of steps at a time. And we WILL get to the other side of this day. It is not that we can’t wander down the day or race ahead of our best interests, it is simply that Jesus wants us to be led – for our sake and for others.
Please read the devotion below – full of spiritual wisdom, written in 1st person as Jesus DOES speak from the page. Even now, taking the morning time to remember God’s faithfulness will help us (me) the rest of the day, whether we remember these quiet moments or not – hopefully by the end of today we (I) will have trusted His leading and realized His faithfulness.
One step at a time.
Amen
Jesus Calling: November 16 by Sarah Young
As you look at the day before you, you see a twisted, complicated path, with branches going off in all directions. You wonder how you can possibly find your way through the maze. Then you remember the One who is with you always, holding you by your right hand. You recall. My promise to guide you with My counsel, and you begin to relax. As you look again at the path ahead, you notice that a peaceful fog has settled over it, obscuring your view. You can see only a few steps in front of you, so your turn your attention more fully to Me and begin to enjoy My Presence.
The fog is a protection for you, calling you back into the present moment. Although I inhabit all of space and time, you can communicate with Me only here and now. Someday the fog will no longer be necessary, for you will have learned to keep your focus on Me and on the path just ahead of you.
Psalm 73:23-24 English Standard Version
Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.
1 Corinthians 13:12 English Standard Version
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
Debbie Upper 