WHAT YOU CAN, WHEN YOU CAN

I woke up yesterday morning ready to embrace the day.

After traveling to Houston to visit relatives for New Year’s, I was eager to cook, clean, and jump into day one of my annual Daniel Fast.

Mid-morning, mild nausea and an overall icky feeling arrived. I persevered, concocting the two soups already underway until excruciating back pain snatched my breath.

Seized by gripping pain and unable to walk, I bent over the kitchen sink.

Agonizing over the debilitating pain and frozen in place, I considered the bubbling soup simmering on the stove across the room. The ‘next step’ for the soup required me to take more than a few steps.

I attempted to move, thinking bending over at the waist might bring relief. WRONG!

Going from bad to worse, I howled from the wrenching pain.

So much for that.

I inched myself up until I could anchor myself to the kitchen counter, catch my breath, and figure out my next move.

Braving the relentless pain and moving ever so delicately, I eventually made it to the stove.

I abandoned the small pot of mushroom soup to focus all my energy on finishing the larger saucepan of creamy wild rice soup.

The process was arduous. Once completed, I gave the soup a final stir, placed the lid on the pot, turned the soup off, and tried to sit.

Comfort eluded me. The pain continued.

While alternating between lying down, soaking in Epsom salts, and taking turmeric and ginger drops, I had plenty of time to think.

My summation of this painful ordeal goes like this.

Do what you can when you can.

I recalled countless times this past year when I could have walked and chose not to.

I remembered months of pain-free days squandered in useless activities, oblivious to the gift of health.

The freedom to move my body, cook a meal, wash dishes, and unload a dishwasher went unnoticed.

How often had I delayed taking action because I presumed I would do it later? The act of walking, sitting, and moving pain-free, was taken for granted. I recognize how much I needed this reminder that all of life is a gift, and I must do what I can when I can.

Each moment is priceless.

Washing dishes might not seem like a big deal until you are physically unable to do them.

Do what you can when you can.

I do not want to take anything for granted, misuse my time, or delay what can be tended to now.

And as a fellow human under construction and persevering in this thing called life—feel free to ask me if I am walking for exercise consistently.

I know I am dangerous. Left to myself, I will forsake exercise, eat whatever I choose, and veer towards indulgence. Help me, Jesus!

While this back issue has been a painful experience, refusing to do what I can when I can is far more devastating.

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NOTE—Pictures for today’s post were taken while lying on my back on the most amazingly comfortable hardwood floors. I gained an entirely new perspective by being flat on my back. Thank You, Lord!