It’s Wednesday! True confession here…I have been looking through my pictures with verses and wasn’t sure what to post. I looked through other pictures without scripture verses, then tried to select a good verse. Instead, I am sharing this fun picture taken by my sister-in-law, Nancy, a while ago and I am pairing it up with a silly song quote. Here’s why:
Last week on Thursday during a physical therapy appointment I took about 10-12 steps using a walker. Today I walked again, perhaps the same number or a few more steps. It was very difficult, somewhat painful, and I was grateful for the gait belt and therapist being there so I did not fall on my face! Hopefully, I will be able to sleep tonight (last week I was in lots of pain.) But it is definitely progress. Put one foot in front of the other…
I have been pondering the concepts surrounding disability for a long time, and recently I have been reading books and IG posts by other people with various disabilities. I have read about the medical versus social models. A medical model tries to “fix” us, while a social model tries to “fix” systems, such as putting in ramps or adding braille to elevator buttons. Personally, I believe we need to look at both. Many of us want improved health to the extent that we have any control over it. Physical therapy is helping me, and I hope to have surgery on my hip in the near future because that would “fix” at least some of my pain. Nothing wrong with wanting that! But even with surgery, I will need my mobility scooter for distances, so ramps and curb cuts will always be helpful.
As a woman of faith, I know God could “fix” everything in an instant, yet He has chosen to give me this clumsy body. That’s okay – I no longer ask “Why?” Instead, I ask “What can I learn from this? What can I do in spite of this?” These questions might ring true for you as well because they relate to ANY struggle any of us has. Health, finances, relationships. What can we learn from our current struggle? Maybe it is to trust God more than ourselves. What can we do in times of struggle? Maybe it is to admit the struggle and ask for help. I believe God wants us to do both; trust Him while reaching out to others. This isn’t easy to do, but it can come in steps. Put one foot in front of the other…Call one friend. Whisper one prayer. Take a spiritual (as opposed to medical) and social approach to find healing for whatever ailments you have.
As I sit and do some other exercises, how can I pray for you this week?