Trusting in Faithfulness

"Four more weeks," the doctor said yesterday.  Though I was not really surprised by his words, still, there was disappointment. The X-ray showed the shadowy progress of regenerating bone, but the fracture was still quite noticeable.  "You're making good progress," he said, "but it is a slow process."  Having been in a cast for six weeks already, the prospect of another four weeks left me less than enthusiastic.  Progress was good, just not good enough.

 

Five months ago, I took walking for granted, a means of transport to the routines of daily life that seemed a given.  A torn tendon in my right foot hobbled that movement, but still, I was able, with the assistance of others, and on my own at times, to do much of what I needed to do.  Then, the fall on August 28 at home changed that.  My doctor's instructions were quite clear...no weight bearing on the fractured foot and be careful not to do further damage to the right foot.  I have tried to follow those instructions, and both he and my wife/nurse have pronounced me a good patient.  I'm not so sure about the "patient" part.

 

Life can change in a moment, a brief second.  Walking from the kitchen to the family room isn't a hazardous journey...at least I would not have thought so before August 28.  But two little steps I have bounded up and down thousands of times without a thought, suddenly became my downfall, literally!  I have replayed the moment again and again in my mind, but have yet to produce a reasonable explanation for my tumble.  It just happened.  Like many of life's experiences....it just happened.

 

Folks are fond of explaining things like this by saying that everything happens for a reason.  Many believe that to be a statement of faith and trust in God's providential hand.  I have been cautious about such explanations, not because I don't believe that God is at work in the midst of life's circumstances, but because I would not want to imply responsibility for the Almighty in every circumstance of life.  Where was God on the evening of August 28 as I approached the steps?  I believe that God was with me, just as at other moments of life.  Perhaps, for me, such mystery is better understood in the promised presence of the Spirit of God to comfort, encourage, and instruct in every circumstance of life. 

 

Long-term illness, broken relationship, lost job, disappointment in yourself or others, and yes, even a fractured bone are but some of the unexpected turns of life.  God is ever faithful...in the midst. The writer of Lamentation reminds us of this: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." 

 

In everything...in the midst, keep trusting in that faithfulness.

 

Jim Abernathy