You Can Break My Bones, But You Can't Break My Spirit

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

So yesterday's family day took a hard left turn, when my bike tire blew, and I hit the pavement…hard. I found myself lying in the road, bleeding and bruised. It was clear something was very wrong, because I could not get up to save my life. I began calling for help, praying I would not get hit by a car. In that moment, I prayed that God would prevent any further harm. At another point I remember thinking, "Where is lifeAlert when you need it?!" 😳

Three good Samaritans stopped to help, and the next thing I knew, Wade Wicht was on the scene. We took a lovely trip to Forrest General Hospital, where I was treated by kind and competent medical staff. CT scans and x-rays confirmed my suspicion that somethings was broken. It turns out, my pelvis is fractured in two places, and my left side is riddled with road rash. My body may be broken, but my spirit is not!  I've been here before, many times.  Hit with an unexpected situation that required an extra dose of strength and prayer.  But I'm a fighter, and I will embrace my lil-ol'-lady walker like a champ.

I may be tough, but I'm not deluded.  I know the next several weeks will be rough. The cuts and abrasions will heal quickly, but the pelvic fractures will be another story. Sitting still is uncomfortable, moving is painful and weight bearing is excruciating. The walker definitely helps, but I am as slow as Flash, the sloth. And driving is completely out of the question. 

With homeschooling our four energetic children and running three growing businesses, we will have challenges aplenty. Even so, I am not worried. We serve an amazing God, and He will take care of our every need. His plan is perfect, and I look forward to seeing how he uses tthis situation for good.

Although a hospital stay is not what I had in mind for Labor Day weekend, I am so thankful for the unexpected blessings and tender mercies God continues shower upon us. Friends, the prayers, notes, texts and phone calls have been so encouraging, and I appreciate it more than you know. A special thanks to Colbey Penton Sparkman, Tish Taylor Line, Tinyke Badenhorst Cooper, Sean-Aleasha Vitale, SaraRob Robertson, Teratta Myers, Matthew Boyd, Claire Maranto Kolvites for going above and beyond to care for me and my family. 

My cup runneth over!

Be Encouraged!

How beautiful is this? I opened my mailbox to find an article on the front page of the advertising section, entitled "Encourage one another for the day of Christ is coming."  

There is too much pain and suffering in the world. The only thing we should do is lift one another up...in thought and in deed. It's easier said than done, especially when we we are not at our best. Or when we are dealing with difficult people. When I have trouble mustering up an encouraging attitude, I think to myself, "Treat that person as if he or she has cancer. After all, we are all terminal." We could all benefit from a little more love and encouragement!

God's word is crystal clear. "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness,” Hebrews 3:13 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Be encouraged!