What my fracture boot is teaching me about my walk

I’m sporting a not-so-stylish accessory these days.

After spending the better part of 2013 searching for relief from my foot pain, I had surgery (Jan 9th). The first week was uncomfortable, but thankfully I’m on the mend and off my crutches.

The boot, I’m afraid, will be around a while.

It’s all-good and will be worth it when I’m back to exercising in the spring, hopefully without pain. In the meantime, I’m schlepping this crazy boot. Believe it or not, this thing preaches to me.

Heb 12-1b

This boot definitely HINDERS.

$fracture boot$ I can’t bend my ankle, so I walk like Quasimodo. After only two weeks, I’m losing muscle tone in my calf. The weight of the boot makes my knee ache and feel like it’s hyperextending.

This physical hindrance makes me think of other hindrances I may be schlepping around. These spring to mind:

Mental and emotional – anxiety, wrong attitudes, fear, unforgiveness

Relational – unrealistic expectations, isolation, communication breakdown

Spiritual – stunted prayer life, misplaced priorities, being spiritually undisciplined with regard to stewardship, fasting, serving, Bible study, etc

It’s not time to throw off this physical hindrance, but it IS time to examine myself and see if I’m toting around some of these others. I want to “run with perseverance the race marked out for [me]” (Heb 12:1).

Every encumbered step reminds me that freedom awaits.

What about you? Did any of those hindrances ring true for you? Did anything else come to mind? I’m working on a project and would love your input!

Halloween isn’t scary. Prayer is scary.

I love a good “controlled” scare. Would you believe there’s evidence that it might actually be beneficial?

Things like a good jump scene in a movie or someone sneaking up behind me. And I have a special fondness for rowdy roller coasters.

My son—grown, out of college, and on his own—still delights in making his mama shriek. But Mama has a few scary tricks up her own sleeve.

Like PRAYER.

The ER isn’t usually a funny place, but funny conversations happen there

I have a knack of turning something sobering into something silly.

I don’t mean to. Really. I know it’s important to be fully present and feel the weight of the moment, but for some reason my contemplative self passes the baton to my snarky self and off she goes.

One of the most sobering things of late has been my mom’s stroke. Few things upend your family’s world like a stroke does.

For years I recorded prayer requests of stroke victims and their families. And I prayed for them, but I had no idea what they went through.

Now I do.

Now I know some of the struggles and decisions and heartaches. I also know you can find joy where you least expect it. Like in the emergency room.

5 Things I Learned in September

Several of my blogging friends have started linking up at the end of the month and sharing some of the things they’ve learned. I’ve pretty much sworn off linkups, but this one is too much fun and I can no longer resist. I’ve narrowed it down to five, and one of them involves the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir… won’t you join me?

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30 Comments

Debbie on January 21, 2014 at 8:38 am

It’s amazing how we can learn spiritual truths from experiences such as this Susan! It is hard walking in a boot like that but it will be worth it. In the meantime, I love what you’re learning and sharing with us. I too want to run the race without hindrances.

Blessings and love,
Debbie
- Susan on January 22, 2014 at 9:53 am
  
  Thanks so much, Debbie. Yes, I’ve decided there are spiritual truths to be learned in just about every circumstance 🙂
Kim on January 21, 2014 at 8:47 am

I just love how anything can enlighten us! What comes to mind for me are two things: What am I using as a crutch because I need healing?
The other is a reminder of the support that is available when I am hurting. 🙂

My sympathies on the boot. I’ve worn them twice, and they aren’t much fun, especially in the snow. Then, they act like a snow shovel. :-O

Prayers for your healing!
- Susan on January 22, 2014 at 9:58 am
  
  Hahaha I hadn’t thought of that, Kim! This is the first snow of the year for us, and the thing I wasn’t prepared for is how the wind howls through the boot. I’m still in my dressing AND still have the surgical pin, so my foot freezes when I go out!
  
  Thanks for the insight on the crutches. I was only on them for a week, so they never had the chance to preach 😉
sandi on January 21, 2014 at 9:00 am

I honestly love what God can teach me during the dark days….and I’ve had a few. I’m glad you are on the mend and pray for you each day along with prayers for the fam. Chin up, buttercup! I miss you and can’t wait for you to zip out to AZ for some TENNIS!! 😀
- Susan on January 22, 2014 at 9:59 am
  
  You have no idea how much I love you, Sandi. I can’t wait for our next adventure 😀
Cathy Baker on January 21, 2014 at 2:40 pm

Do any of those hindrances ring true for me? Oh my! Do I get a quantity discount? Thankfully, like your boot, not only can we continue walking in God’s grace and mercy, our faith walk can be strengthened by those things that once hindered us.

Let’s just say I’m thinking my one word for 2014 should’ve been content. 🙂

Prayers continue for your healing, sweet friend!
- Susan on January 22, 2014 at 10:01 am
  
  I like the insight that the hindrance doesn’t necessarily stop us from walking, although it could if we let it! I’m lifting YOU up too, Cathy, and hoping that chest junk is on its way out.
  - Cathy Baker on January 22, 2014 at 2:30 pm
    
    Amen, sister. 🙂
    
    Thanks for the prayers!
Julia Tomiak on January 21, 2014 at 3:24 pm

I love how you are taking this difficulty and using it to grow spiritually. My good friend had to wear one of those for months post-op and actually got a little scooter that she could prop her leg on! To emotional burdens, I’d add doubt, being disgruntled about small things. To relational burdens, I’d add a critical attitude and impatience.
Hang in there, Susan!
- Susan on January 22, 2014 at 10:08 am
  
  Those are great insights, Julia — Thank you! I have to confess that I battle being disgruntled and frustrated about little things. I’m happy to report that I’m bearing weight on my foot and hobbling around pretty well right now. Now if I can just get this surgical pin out…
Glenda Mills on January 21, 2014 at 6:12 pm

Susan,
So glad your foot is continuing to heal, even with the discomfort of the boot.

It truly is hard to run the race of faith when difficult circumstances in life tempt us to take our mind off the Lord. I need to continue to bring my thoughts captive and keep my eyes upon Him, during this changing season of my life. To truly believe the thoughts God has for me are for good, to give me a future and a hope.

Thanks for sharing!
- Susan on January 22, 2014 at 10:09 am
  
  You’re such an inspiration, Glenda. I love that you’re embracing your season and trusting God to use you NO MATTER WHAT. And He does 🙂
Karin Madden on January 22, 2014 at 2:34 am

Oh Susan, I am glad you are on the mend, and so sorry you are Quasimodo! Your boot reminds me of a time when I was very sick (and pregnant on top of it). I was in bed for weeks. It was a dark and lonely time and I was spiritually dry. One night I looked up and thought I saw the head of a lion (crazy sounding, I know), and then I reached for my Bible. I played “Bible roulette” and asked God to just show me *something*. The page I opened to was in Daniel. After reading for a minute, I saw that I was reading about Daniel in the lions’ den. I was blown away. God took my utter weakness (physically and spiritually) and showed me that He was right there – protecting me. Bless you, Susan – and heal quickly! God’s all over this. {{Hugs}}
- Susan on January 22, 2014 at 10:13 am
  
  Oh my goodness, Karin — I LOVE that! I’ve played my share of Bible roulette. While He’s always given me encouragement, I haven’t experienced anything quite that profound. But you’re right — He’s all over ALL of this! Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
Anita Taylor on January 22, 2014 at 10:20 am

I am so glad you are on the mend!! pain is less & less I hope. I have been on those boots twice. I hope by the time I see ya we can go for long walks. Sandi is right you NEED to get over to AZ. God is so GOOD even when we don’t feel very good physically. Hugs!!
- Susan on January 22, 2014 at 10:54 am
  
  He sure is, Anita. I’m hoping He lets the whole family come out to AZ soon!
Deborah on January 22, 2014 at 10:26 am

Oh my, this post had me in tears today. In the midst of lots of stuff relationally and otherwise. Thank you for your insights today. Hope you heal quickly. Stay well!
- Susan on January 22, 2014 at 10:56 am
  
  Thanks so much, Deborah. I know He has a plan to strengthen us in all those areas, and WELL knows the hindrances we carry. Praying He shows you His perfect will regarding the things that are holding you back.
Deb on January 22, 2014 at 1:16 pm

Susan, So glad you are healing. I love that you used the word “schlepping. My grandfather on my dad’s side was from a huge Jewish family. I still love all the Yiddish words. They just make me smile.

Thanks for this great analogy. Oh, the unnecessary things we carry around that the Lord would like to remove.

Praying you continue to improve each day.
- Susan on January 22, 2014 at 5:05 pm
  
  Thanks for your prayers, Deb. Glad to find another friend who loves fun Yiddish words 😀
Mia on January 22, 2014 at 3:30 pm

Dear Susan
Oh, I hope and pray that your foot will heal completely. Yes, dear one, we should keep on keeping on running this race of faith as we learn to draw ever closer into the Resurrected Life of our Lord Jesus. It is only through His power and grace that we can continue taking the one step after the other. He is the vine and without Him we can do nothing.
Blessings XX
Mia
- Susan on January 22, 2014 at 5:06 pm
  
  Thank you so much, Mia! While I’m sidelined, this is the perfect opportunity to rest and abide.
Dolly@Soulstops on January 22, 2014 at 4:08 pm

Dear Susan,
Prayed for you and thank you for being open to what God is teaching you through your boot…I want to run with endurance the race God has set before me and I realize I must change my perspective often…need His grace and grateful He gives it as I realize how desperately I need Him…prayed also for your mom…love and hugs to you:)
- Susan on January 22, 2014 at 5:07 pm
  
  Thank you so much, Dolly. Love and hugs to you 🙂
Kathleen Caron on January 22, 2014 at 8:37 pm

Um, I would have to say all of those hindrances ring true for me? And the tendency is to stuff them all to the bottom of the closet so that I can pretend they aren’t hindering me. I realize that doesn’t make sense. And yet, it can be really hard to recognize how just the everyday crappy stuff that happens is affecting you, does that make sense? We just keep on plowing ahead.
- Susan on January 23, 2014 at 11:38 am
  
  Oh absolutely, Kathleen. The floor of my closet is as littered as anybody’s! Yet I plow ahead, with nary a thought toward it. Until now. Now, I’m thinking.
  Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Satin on January 23, 2014 at 1:33 pm

What a way to make lemonade from lemons! 🙂 Love this! Thank you for sharing & here’s praying God will use this boot to slow you down just long enough to see more of His beauty around you! 🙂 ♥
- Susan on January 24, 2014 at 10:45 am
  
  Thank you, Satin! Yes, I’ve got lots more time to see and smell the roses 🙂
Dawn on January 24, 2014 at 5:20 pm

Great analogy and thought-provoking post! Dang boots;(

Susan Stilwell