Accidents happen in a split second- unannounced and definitely not welcomed, thus the term “accident.” I was watching the clock wondering where Eddie was. It was the last football game of the season before playoffs and we needed to drop Olivia off at a friend’s house before heading to Gilroy to play the rival team of Christopher High. I had our team sweatshirts and personalized jerseys (Margo #52) packed, along with my Ugg boots and a thermos of coffee.
Ed tends to run a bit late which is probably why he drives so fast! Hah!
Finally, I heard his truck out in the driveway and then I heard a dirt bike heading down our road. THEN…the next sound I heard was a loud raucous and I thought, “Did Ed just crash?”
I quickly dismissed the idea and continued impatiently waiting for him to walk in the door and GET READY TO GO.
Well, he DID “walk” in rather slowly, limping along. He had several open wounds and his whole right side was BRUISED.
“I think my shoulder is busted,” Ed stated.
I knew EXACTLY what he was feeling: Several years ago I fell (belly-flopped and bounced would more accurately describe it) in front of the castle at Disneyland and almost ruined our whole vacation. (You can read about that here.)
It’s this terrible feeling of knowing you need medical attention, but not being willing to miss the exciting event about to take place.
Ed decided he could take some ibuprofen and just keep his shoulder as still as possible during the game and figure out medical help the next day. I had the SAME plan at Disneyland! (Part 2 of my falling story.) Of course a year later I had to have shoulder surgery, but now is not the time to reminisce about all THAT!
He explained he had been on the dirt bike for less than a minute, taking it for a quick spin to see if the tire he had repaired was working fine. The accident made no sense! He wasn’t being reckless or speeding (shocking, I know). The bike simply came out from under him.
Ed is SUPER tough and basically NEVER complains. He was trying not to wince in pain as he got ready for the game and then again in the car whenever I turned a corner.
At the game, he insisted on carrying our chairs and backpack while I was loaded down with the blanket. Hah! Talk about the complete opposite of me. I tend to let everyone know I’m suffering (ahem… starting this blog) while Ed prefers to suffer in silence.
We made it through the game with an exciting victory for the Mustangs (although Ed’s cheering was a bit subdued) and we agreed that he would go to urgent care in the morning.
Separated shoulder. AC Joint separation to be exact.
Not the best diagnosis for a building contractor.
He came home in a sling with directions to rest the shoulder for 2-4 weeks.
We had one of those why-does-it-seem-everything-keeps-going-wrong moments. We are both so ready to never repeat the fall of 2016. It has been a season of sadness, surgery, stress and brokenness. Many of our recent struggles I haven’t been able to share, but life has been HARD.
BUT… here’s the thing. My faith is not based on my circumstances. The foundation of my faith is Jesus. It’s not an event, an experience or even an answered prayer— it’s in the person of Jesus (Andy Stanley Who is the Author of Your Faith).
These hard things don’t define who I am in Christ. I WANT my prayers answered for SURE… but even more than that… I want Jesus.
He is walking with my family and me in extraordinary ways.
He offers grace and mercy for the journey and that is more than enough.
He is with me. He loves me. And… (I realize this next phrase appears in pretty much every post, but it is my bottom line)…
I TRUST HIM.
Ed’s shoulder is slowly healing. He has not taken any time off work and has many pain-filled days, yet never complains. (The doctor stated that he won’t damage it any more by working; it will just take a lot longer to heal).
My family is slowly healing in so many ways. We have many pain-filled days and we are striving to not complain.
And although accidents are unplanned and can happen in a split second, there’s nothing accidental about our faith that sustains us as we keep our eyes on the One who loves us so very much.
Hebrews 12:2-3 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
