Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Starting 2014 with a Bang!

2014 started with a bang for the Birdwell gang.

The first Saturday of the year we went sledding with friends at Mt. Hood.  Yes, I wish I could end here, but there is so much more. We had a fabulous time sledding down a steep hill with our kiddos and friends.  As we were walking back to our cars for lunch, we passed a awesome hill with a jump. How cool would that be to get some serious air as we sled down the hill.

So all the adults took turns and completed the jump with success. I saw all the air everyone caught... it was awesome.  I chose to be the last adult so I could gather the courage to do the jump.  I used to be a super dare devil, but motherhood has made me walk more cautiously and I should have stayed in the "motherhood" mind set to prevent what happens next.

So as I do the jump, it was awesome! I slid off the side of the jump, catching the most air out of everyone, landed with speed, and here is where things went sour...I lost control of the sled and was spinning around like crazy.  As I got closer to the bottom of the hill, I plowed over a tree stump, shredded the sled, and to make a long story short, I broke my vertebra L3 and L4 transverse processes.

Saying it's been a long 3 1/2 weeks is a major understatement.

This has put a bit of a damper on my New Year.  My heart is quick to feel sorry for me and being put in this situation, but the Lord quick to tend to my heart.  The Lord has a steadfast love for me. He wont let me just sit in this "pity party" but points my heart to replace lies of a "pitiful life" to truth found in scripture, specifically James 1.

"2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

"Consider"
I have a choice. Where am I going to let my heart and thoughts dwell. I need to consider the truth of the Lord.

"Face Trials"
In the greek this is translated to "fall" into trials.  We don't get to choose our trials, we fall into it.  Like it just hits us on the head unexpectedly.  As we go through trials, the verse follows with...

"Faith Produces Perseverance"
Wow... is breaking my back a trial I have to face for my faith to produce perseverance... yes.  If the Lord willed it, which he did because it happened to me, the Lord is using it.

Perseverance to press into the Lord when I am frustrated I can't take care of my family.

Perseverance to press into the Lord when I want a rhythm back into our lives

Perseverance to press into the Lord because I am lacking control at this time.

May my heart grow in steadfastness for the Lord.  Would I choose this way, but God is using this to draw me to himself.  Whether I want to or not, he is moving.

I praise him for not breaking my spine and having to have surgery.  I praise him for being present as I suffered through pain and discouragement.

He is worthy for my affection regardless of my circumstance.