The Big Black Boot

About two weeks ago I had surgery on my right foot.  If we are friends on facebook, you are very aware of this and my obnoxious black boot selfies.  The recovery has been a little more difficult than I had expected.  I can't drive and I must put on the boot anytime my foot touches the floor.  It stinks and I really have grown to hate the big black boot.  It puts a really damper on my life and many things I need to do or would just like to do.  I have been shown so much love during this time with messages, food, PSLs (pumpkin spice lattes for those latte novices), and most importantly, chocolate.

After the pain meds wore off and the complaining and winging (learned that word in Australia...they love it) began, I heard a small, sweet voice...

"Momma, I need your help"

... and I would hear it again, whether real or imagined...

"Momma, can you get (insert anything) for me", "Momma, I need to go to the bathroom", "Momma, I want to help you.  Can you help me help you" (yes, she really says that or something close to that).

That small voice that wants so much to be independent but instead has to rely on a walker, wheelchair and too often the kindness of others.  AND with no complaining or whinging and often with a smile or something nice to say she gets through her day the best she can.

That sweet voice is a reminder that God intends for it not to be about us but about Him and others.  That I am able so that that I can help the disabled...I am blessed so that I can bless others.  I have been placed in a different pair of shoes with a new set of eyes.  Yes, it's temporary and I know the boot will go away and I will be self-sufficient again, but there are so many that need to be shown love and acceptance, kindness and patience.  So, I'm sure you will still hear me complain sometime about the big black boot and other things over the next few weeks but I am thankful for the big black boot and what it has taught me.  I am humbled.  Thank you God for the reminder.

I think sometimes, in our irreverence, God has to thump us on the head (my dad used to do that when we acted up in church) or kick us in the bottom with a big black boot.  Go be kind to someone today.

Philippians 2:1-4 
If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 

The Big Black Boot

The Good Mommy

Overhead last night at our house...

"Hello, yes, I'm calling about my daughter.  I would like her to not use her walker and wheelchair as much as she has been.  She is doing really well with her walking and I'm so proud of her."

Pause

"Yes she can use her pink canes but her walking is getting so much better and I would like her to walk on her own as much as possible."

Pause

The talking begins again but I'm lost in the first part of the conversation.

You are probably thinking that is me on the phone.  That is my part of a telephone conversation being overheard.  

It's not me.  It's Grace.  She is on "the phone" and in her lap sits one of her daughters.  The one that is the most like her.  The one she takes everywhere.  The one she talks about the most.  The one who has had surgery and therapy.  The one that is sometimes disobedient and gives her brothers and sisters a hard time (Grace has 6 kids). The one that needs her the most. The one that has a really good mommy.

Grace and Cinderella cuddling after a long day.