Here we go again...

"I want you off that foot for one week. If it isn't improving I want you back for x-rays. No more bucking bales or anything like that, ok?"

I nodded, but in my head I'm thinking "Yeah, right. That's so not happening."

I was in the middle of a week of teaching 5-day clubs and the following week I would be working at the Fair in the CEF booth. I was incredibly busy, with the end of my summer all laid out and packed full of things I needed to do and commitments I had to fill.

I left the doctor's office discouraged, but determined. There was no way I was going to just throw all of my plans out the window because of a stupid sprained foot. My clumsiness wasn't about to slow me down!

So, for the most part it didn't. I continued on as usual, making a small effort to stay off of my foot and still manage everything I had planned.

The doctor called back in a week to see how "Gimpy" was doing (I was doing just fine, thank you very much.) and my mom informed her that I needed another week to rest it because I hadn't managed the whole "I want you off that foot" very well at all.

The following week flew by and like the good girl that I am I did exactly what the doctor said. Ok, not exactly. Not at all actually. I headed back to Shiloh Bible Camp for a week to work on the dish-crew for a rental. I had a blast and God blessed me in some big ways but unfortunately when I got home my foot was waving the white flag of defeat and I realized that continuing to shoot it wouldn't help me very much in the long run.

Frustrated and exhausted, I resigned myself to a recliner, an ice pack, and an ace bandage.

I am notorious for sprained ankles. In fact, this summer when I sprained BOTH ankles at camp (in one week no less) I knew I'd never hear the end of it. It just so happens that the previous summer, during the last week of camp I gracefully tripped over some invisible object and sprained my ankle. Hilarious, right?  Someone has a mean sense of humor.

If you know me, you know that I hate sitting around and doing nothing. I hate it with a passion. It drives me crazy. I am the happiest when I am busy doing one thing and looking forward to the next, and so the prospect of only being allowed to do things that can be accomplished sitting down was devastating.

Ok, maybe that's a little dramatic. But I was not looking forward to it!

The doctor ordered x-rays and the results were: "No, your foot is not broken. Yes, you need to wrap it in an ace bandage and stay off of it."

These have been two very long weeks of doing close to nothing, and I must admit, I have had a ridiculously horrible attitude towards God.

Hello God,

Did you know that I could accomplish much more for you if you would just heal my foot? Just saying.

Sincerely,

Me.

Dear God,

There can't possibly be any good coming out of this, can there? I mean, it's just a little bitty sore foot. No big deal, right? Could you fix it?!? Pleeeeeeeeeeeease?

-Yours Truly

Hey there God,

I'm really really really sick of this. Can I be done now?

This is dumb.

Sincerely,

Me.

Like a spoiled little brat I've been sitting around complaining to my Savior about how I have to rest and let an injury heal.

I, the daughter of the King have been complaining about a sprained ankle when my brothers and sisters are struggling in much bigger ways! Fighting the battle against cancer, standing their ground in a broken home, taking persecution for the name of Jesus Christ, the list goes on.

Ashamed? Yeah. What happened to trusting Him and having joy in tough situations? A sprained ankle isn't even a very big trial! And I flunked it. Praise God, He offers second chances. I'm ready to take the one He is offering.

Dear Jesus,

I'm so sorry.

I was too busy wallowing in my selfishness to ask you "How can you use me through this?"

Please forgive me.

Help me use this opportunity that you have given me to bring glory to your name.

Love,

Me

Thank God for ace bandages and ice packs ;)

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

-1 Thessalonians 5:18

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

-1 Corinthians 10:31