First, I live with my eyes on the horizon and a sense of urgency, trusting that God has called me to lead His people through today’s threatening floodwaters to safety on the far shore. Patience is not one of my strong suits – a fact God confronted me with on day one.

Shortly after checking into the hospital on January 7th, I was escorted to a room in the pre-op area and politely told to take off all my clothes and don a surgical gown.  The message was clear: I would be engaging this process stripped of all but the bare essentials and having surrendered all control over my agenda.

Before being discharged three days later, the care I received was exemplary and frequently punctuated by the friendly faces of nurses who are also members of our parish family. In-home therapy began the next day; I was stunned to realize how little I could do for myself and how much pain I was experiencing in doing it. My circumstances had changed; and to accomplish God’s greater purposes, my near-term goals had to change as well . . . and they have.

Today the list of simple activities I’ve prioritized is modest, to include: dressing myself with the same ease I undressed prior to the surgery; sleeping on my side in my own bed; going downstairs in our home again; and bending over to dry my lower legs after a shower. And praise God, I’m making progress at what seems to be a gradually accelerating pace!

Second, next Wednesday, January 22nd, my surgeon plans to remove the staples in my incision and, in conjunction with my in-home therapist (also a member of our parish family), to plot a future course of action. I am presently working to position myself to turn on my cell phone, open my computer and slowly begin to engage the life and work of the parish the next day. Though I wish it weren’t so, I anticipate my ministry to be limited until my stamina reaches previous levels and I’m allowed to drive.

That said, I know my physical condition is improving because my eyes are again turning toward the horizon and the vast opportunities the Lord has placed before us to serve others in His name. Please pray that I do not allow my sense of urgency to trump the common sense needed to complete the rehab process in a God-honoring way.

With an attitude of gratitude,