Sleepless Nights and Grace
I typed emails, giving directives like shotgun blasts.
I lacked sleep, unable to get comfortable with my leg still healing from a total knee replacement.
Perhaps I was more sensitive, more grouchy, because the discomfort, while certainly bearable, has been present now for five weeks after surgery. The first two weeks I expected pain and discomfort. But after that it just became wearing. Along with that we had (wonderful) company for a week, I took a fall on my new knee, and we have been preparing for our annual missions trip to Mexico which involves a lot of planning and communication and follow-up on my part.
Friday night was another sleepless night, at least initially. Finally I stopped fighting to sleep and got up. I have a Coloring Book Devotional, “Drawn to Worship,” by my friend, Lisa Bogart. So I sat at the kitchen table and colored in the lines (photo left). As I did, I began to pray for the many friends who are in need of one sort or another right now – health, strength, loss, rebellion – and God showed me how grouchy I’d been. I asked His forgiveness and committed to asking a few others for theirs too.
My husband was first. His graciousness to me is a picture of Jesus’ grace, extended freely and without condemnation. “I know you’re going through a hard time. I expect you to be a bit touchy. Just know I’m here for you and I’m with you all the way.” (Which he proved again last night when I couldn’t sleep. Don got up and put the ice machine on my knee, legs propped up on a recliner plus wedge pillow. While I expected him to return to our bedroom while I hoped to get some sleep on the couch, he grabbed a blanket, sat down in the other recliner and spent the night in the family room with me.)
Our missions trip team leader was next. He too extended grace and appreciation for what I was doing.
What a gift we can extend to each other … just a piece, a reminder, of the greatest gift God has given us … grace, forgiveness, acceptance in the Beloved. As I said to Bob, “I can’t commit to feeling better, but I can commit to trusting God for grace for my need each day.”
I’m thankful for my God, who is and extends GRACE and strength for each need when I rely on Him (which I was forgetting to do); and I’m so grateful for friends who also reach out, not lessening God’s standard but also saying “I get where you are. I’m sorry for your struggle, I love you, I support you.”
And my struggles are so minimal when compared with others’ – but they are MY struggles and the ones that God uses in my life.
So … I can’t commit to feeling better, although that will come with time. But I CAN commit to behaving better, by the grace of God. And I might be coloring again tonight!
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NIV)
I am so sorry you’re struggling with pain and a fall, too. I’m struggling now with preop knee pain and I too feel a bit grouchy at times. Sometimes I’m so frustrated because I have almost 2 more months before my knee replacement and I’m traveling to Spokane for my grandson’s wedding the week before. I’m thinking how can I last that long!! I know God is faithful to get me through. I try to just get through one day. Your words are a good reminder of how to best use my time when sleep does not come. Thank you once again, Carol, for helping me focus on what’s important. God has also gifted you with a wonderful, loving, attentive husband. What a blessing!
Thank you Esther. My heart goes out to you as I remember my pre-op pain. I’m glad you have surgery scheduled soon, but know the interim, especially with something as special as a grandson’s wedding, can be challenging. I pray for God’s grace to help you enjoy this time; that He will give you rest; and that you will have a very successful outcome after surgery. And yes, I am very blessed with my loving, giving husband! Bless you my friend.