First off, being injured, I've been able to truly clear my head of everything, and focus on Christ. As an athlete and high school student, I am always on the go and thinking a million different things at once. Unable to practice, run, hangout, go downtown etc, I've been able to really focus on the most important thing in life Christ. Do I question why this happened to me? Yes. But should I? No. In Jeremiah 29:11 (most relevant verse in my life. Applies to everything) it says "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". My biggest struggle with this injury, is accepting this and trusting God with my future. Psalm 91:2 says I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” During this recovery time, I am remembering this and really trying to believe in it. It's not always easy. Watching everyone practice, go out, party, having fun, yeah it takes a toll on me. I want to be doing those things too. But being injured I have been able to finally slow down and appreciate everything.
Secondly, I've gotten to realize all the things that I take for granted. there's a saying that goes, Everything you have, someone else is praying for. I've gotten to see this as being really true. The little things I took for granted such as driving, going to the bathroom, bathing, walking up stairs, etc. have become very difficult to do if even possible. I'm not allowed to be driving or running and that is killing me. Those are the ways I clear my head and not being able to do them sucks. On the other hand, I've realized how lucky i was when I was doing them. Why don't we appreciate what we have until it is taken away from us?? Someone else in this world is praying for an opportunity to run or drive or go to school. I missed almost a week of school because of my surgery and while I was at home I was dying to be back with my friends. I used to always complain about school, how my teachers sucked, there was too much work etc. By not being able to go to school I realize how much I missed out on an opportunity to share God's word. In that little time away from school,I realized I took it for granted and didn't appreciate that dreaded building until I couldn't go because of being in the hospital and in too much pain.
Next, being injured has helped me see a life beyond Softball. Softball is also something I took for granted. Last season was the very first season where I started playing for HIM. However towards the end of travel ball, I would complain about practices and games dreading not to go. Instead I should have been using those practice and games to glorify the Lord with the talent he has provided me with. I really miss softball, and I truly feel the Lord was trying to show me something beyond my sport. There's more to me than softball, and I wasn't really showing it until after I got injured, when I was forced to show it.
Another thing that I've been able to see spending Christmas on Crutches, is how fortunate we truly are. God doesn't always give us what we want but we do get much more than we deserve. One of the posters above my bed says, What Would happen if you were to wake up with only the things you thanked God for yesterday? Well for me, a lot of the times I don't thank God for every little thing. So if I woke up with just the things I thanked God for yesterday, I would not have too many things. How fortunate are we that we are not one of those 20+ people who died in Newtown? Or who die everyday? How lucky are we to be alive and well? We're NOT LUCKY, we're BLESSED
I've gotten to develop relationships with people whom I've lost contact with. It really made me feel good when people genuinely would ask how I was doing. It was a rough time for me and when someone actually takes the time to stop and listen to what's going on in your life, it makes me feel really good as if someone cares about my well being. Kids in school have talked to me even though we haven't talked in forever. It's nice to see they still care. Once you get to hear what they're going through you see that maybe your situation isn't as bad as it seems. Imagine if people were always trying to see how each other are doing. The world would be a much better place. Brady Quinn after the suicide incident said "When you ask someone how they're doing do you really mean it?" When I was in the hospital, there were nurses who would come around and say how are you feeling? Some were just doing their job, while others seemed like they actually cared. Which ones did I like better? My challenge for you, is to just go and be nice to people, ask them how they are doing. Not just during Christmas, but all the time! You never know how great they will feel after! It might make their day! Matthew 25:40 says, " Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me"
Lastly and MOST IMPORTANTLY spending Christmas on Crutches, has made me realize how Christ is like my crutches. Like I depend on my crutches to get around and do everyday things, I depend on Christ to get me through everything. He is my spirtual Crutch. Psalm 18:2 says "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Having faith in him during a crucial part in my career and during an injury is vital to my spirit. I struggle on a daily basis to hand over control of this situation and give it to the Lord. He has given me peace and knowing he has a plan for my life, leaves me content. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." I am thankful for this injury because of all the things it has allowed me to see.
Christmas on Crutches was not the ideal Christmas for me.On the news I've gotten to see far worse situations that I could be in, and crutches doesn't look so bad anymore. I am truly blessed and I need Christ to be my "Crutch".
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:1-4
Here's to all my friends who visited me when I got home. You are the best! I love you all!
I hope you all had a great Christmas and even if you didn't get everything that you wanted, Jesus gives us way more than we deserve!
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