Fractures and Feathers

It has been six months to the day since I hurt my foot and it's still swollen...

It took 3 weeks for the swelling to go down enough so I could have the cast on. That was on for another three weeks. Then I had a few more weeks of the heavy brace. After that I used a smaller brace and started the hard work of therapy.

That lasted for a couple of months and consisted of strengthening exercises and stretching methods. I did as much work at home as I could with 4 kids:

I would do heel lifts at the counter while preparing dinner or working on the computer.

I stretched the large rubber band from side to side to increase strength.

I sat on my heels to increase range of motion at the top of my foot.

At the gym I work on jumping from side to side and just standing on one foot to gain balance.

I still ice and elevate after exercising.

My PT guy gave me the green light to start running in April and I have been able to do increasing amounts since then (yesterday I ran 4 miles)! My foot still gets sore afterwards and I have some compensation from the other leg. I try to focus on running evenly, but I feel like I need to have someone watch for obvious signs of uneven running. So far I can't bring myself to ask anyone to stand behind me and my butt to see... Amber maybe?! 

Anyway, all of this work and pain has, of course, caused me to think of a spiritual application :)

When we were in college (before we were even married), Cliff and I went to a church that did a little children's story after the singing and right before the sermon. The pastor would sit down with the kids on the stairs and tell them a quick story or read them a book before children's church started. They were so good! Almost every week, they spoke to my heart... forget the kids!

I remember one story in particular:

I don't remember it exactly, but the idea was that a girl had gone around spreading malicious rumors about someone else. Or she had said something truthful that could have been kept to herself. A wise man told the girl to get a feather pillow, bring it to the top of a bluff and cut it open allowing the feathers to fly in the wind. When she had done it, he told her to go and gather all of the feathers back again. Of course this was impossible. There was no way she could get all of them. He proceeded to tell her that the feathers represented her words and that all she needed to say was one thing against someone else; one word of gossip, one unkind thing, and she would never be able to take it back.

It only takes one action. Like landing on a fellow volleyball player's foot, it took a split second to cause so much damage, tearing, and pain. We should be very careful with our words. They can either build up or tear down. Every time I get up in the morning with a stiff ankle and limp around the house, even six months later,  I remember that analogy and try remember to be sparing with my criticisms, kind with my words, and slow to respond when I feel offended by those close to me.

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Psalm 141:3 Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.

James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry...

Proverbs 21:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.

We once went hiking down a path that ran right next to a steep drop off and we saw a sign that said in dramatic wording: "Keep away from the edge. Death can result. Don't do something in the moment that a lifetime of wishing cannot undo." We thought it was pretty funny at the time, but it applies here :)

It only takes one foolish moment, step or word to do a lot of damage. And it will take much effort and pain work to recover from if it's even possible to recover at all.