I was released from physical therapy this week – another milestone
along the road to healing. I broke my
arm in South America in March, traveled home for surgery, and have followed up
with physical therapy until now.
It’s fair to say that I’m in the home stretch – doing my exercises at
home, and feeling significantly better.
The surgeon that operated on my wrist warned that many of
his patients believe that the healing process is like a race, with a prize going
to the quickest healer. I received his
words as an invitation from the Lord to fully experience each stage, and
determined that I would not be in a rush.
Although time has passed very quickly, I haven’t rushed the
process. Time and exercise have brought
healing. They’ve also brought a profound
change in the way I view this adventure.
As I look back, I can see nothing but blessings -- a 100% positive experience.
I can still remember pain and anxiety.
I can remember being sooo exhausted
from the trip back to the States. But
all of it – even pain, anxiety, and exhaustion have been transformed into an
experience of growth and blessing.
Have the facts changed?
No. The circumstances were what
they were. There’s nothing wrong with my memory. I remember all of it. But my view of the facts is different. Perspective is “a way of regarding situations,
facts, etc., and judging their relative importance” (Dictionary.com). Retrospect is a contemplation of the past –
putting the past into perspective, if you will.
I don’t know about you, but when things are happening, perspective is
hard to come by. For me, only by
contemplating the past (retrospect), can I gain perspective – hind sight is 20/20,
right?
In March, when I was riding in the van
from the farm in San Pedro to a clinic in Medellin, I knew that some kind of
good would come from my experiences. I
couldn’t imagine what it would be, but I was certain that I was in the
hands of an omnipotent God who loves me.
Today, I know – in retrospect – that more blessings than I can count
have been given to me throughout this process.
If you’re in the midst of an “adventure”,
hang on. Enter into the experience
fully, trusting God to transform your circumstances-- and you -- in the
process. While it may be tempting to
figure out the whys and wherefores right now, hold off. Stay open.
Receive God’s gifts, and wait for the perspective that can only be fully
appreciated when looking back.
