I will never cease to be amazed at how many every day coincidences and experiences are given to me in order for me to learn by my Heavenly Father. Today, once again, i had a lesson I needed to learn, or relearn, and He took care of creating the perfect situation for me to be in.
For those who don't know me , or don't know me well, a bit of background
might be needed. About 9 years ago I was decorating a christmas tree for a
local children's hospital to be auctioned off. After working on the bottom
level, i tried to stand up, but found it impossible to do. My meniscus had been
ripped in a almost complete circle, leaving only about 20-30% undamaged. The
following years would bring multiple surgeries on both knees, leaving me with
only a fraction of my cartilage and with pain as a near constant companion. For
some unknown reason I had developed severe early onset osteoarthritis. I
occasionally tear off bits and pieces of meniscus, and depending on the amount
and location, this can just mean a few weeks of more pain, or it can mean yet
another trip to my surgeon.
My knees recently have been doing better than i remember for years!!
Recently i had the blessing of running a week long girls camp for nearly 300
girls for my church. I had been overwhelmed at the thought of this undertaking
during the entire year long planning. I knew my knees would be an issue, and
knew I would spend the week in pain. A funny thing happened there. I threw my
cane (yes, I have one, and hate it!) in my truck for 'when i needed it.' Camp began on Monday, and due to my responsibilites, I
don't recalling having an opportunity to sit down and relax until Thursday, and I even wore a pair
of shoes out somehow with all my running. And yet, the most amazing part of the whole week was I didnt ever feel any discomfort or pain. I
truly felt that was one of the biggest miracles of my life. Now, for my story's sake, we will jump
back to my current life.
A few weeks ago my oldest daughter discovered there was a mansion/museum in
Washington D.C. filled with secret passages. She had been obsessed with secret
passages for awhile, and such a find was a dream come true!! Since then she has
been caught many a time telling different people about this mansion, and
how she wanted to see it. Well, due to the fact that i have been blessed with a
job that allows me to fly all around the country with no cost, this seemed to me to be a wish
that I could give her. I scheduled the flight, found a friend to crash with (thank you Clara!),
and got everything ready to give my daughter what I could (and hanging out with
one of the sweetest 12 year old girls ever was just icing on the cake!). My
sister, and her daughter were coming too. Nothing could be better in life! Until I
started packing.
I was bending over to get some clothes, and felt that all familiar pain.
It wasn't the pain of me predicting an in coming storm, or my general constant
aches, but it was that pain where I am usually begging my doctor to get me in
that afternoon, and we have usually scheduled my surgery for later that same
week before the appointment finishes. I didnt know what to do. All of my plans
had been made, and I didn't want to lose this opportunity to share this with my
daughter. So I was left with one choice, and only one choice. I grabbed my
cane, hobbled around the house to finish packing, and then headed off to the
airport.
Between 3 different flights to get to Washington, and 4 different attempts
to get from boston to washington reagan airport (oh, and due to the bumps, going
through security a total of 6 times) my knee was getting worse, swelling and
aching. But of course it is all worth it in my mind. On one of the flights, my
sister, daughter, and niece all got on, leaving me alone at the airport. And
this is when suddenly God decides to teach me.
I am standing by the desk at the gate, my family has boarded the flight,
and I need a new boarding pass to try for the next flight. An older man asks me
what is wrong with my knee, and I tell him the shortened version of my history
and pain, and how I will be fine. He asks me to sit by him while we wait for
the agent to get our tickets. (He too was attempting to get on that flight, and
had gotten bumped like me.) As my knee is turning into a small pumpkin by this
point, I gladly take the seat to relieve some pressure. He tells me that he has
dealt with medical issues in the past. He tells me of his life, and how he has
tried to become more christian, and how he prays for those whom he meets who are
sick or injured, and he has seen people healed by Heavenly Fathers power. He
bears his testimony of his savior, Jesus, and asks if I mind if he says a prayer
for me.
To me, this is not a new concept. I have many times had blessings for
medical issues, and many times for my knees. I have seen miracles where I can
do things i knew were beyond my physical ability. But, I have also come to
understand, that God doesn't take away all of our pain (not that I would argue
if he decided to take this away!). He cares enough for me to allow me to grow.
He leaves enough so I can remember others pain, and show them the same love and
compassion that I am sometimes in need of.
This kind older man says a prayer asking me to feel better, asking God to
help me have the strength to continue on. The amazing thing is i feel a bit
better, and a bit lighter. My knee still hurts, and that is okay. God wanted
me to remember that he loves every one of us, regardless of religion. He has
given us all blessings, and watches out for each of us. He wants us all to pray
to him, and to keep our eyes open for those whom we can serve, in whatever
ability we can. He wants us, who have a testimony and knowledge of his gospel
and his son, to share it, even when it is with a complete stranger.
As I am now flying above the beautiful clouds, looking at this amazing
earth he created for us, and listening to primary songs played on the piano, I
am in awe. I am so thankful for a Heavenly Father who loves me enough to
subside pain when I need that, for a Father who loves me enough to let me grow,
and who is always willing to teach me, even when it involves a bit of pain. And I am grateful that there are so many others in my life who help me remember His love daily.
