Three weeks ago I experienced a tough break. I was training for a 100-mile bike ride that I was very much looking forward to when I literally suffered a break. While doing something I’ve done thousands of times, I made a mistake. In the blink of an eye, I was lying on the pavement in excruciating pain, shaking and unable to move my right leg. I instantly knew something was wrong. After an ambulance ride, x-rays, a CAT scan, I got some scary news: I broke my hip. Surgery was needed. My world came to a screeching halt. I was assigned a physical therapist who has been helping me with my recovery process. The first couple of weeks were rough both physically and emotionally, and through this time she encouraged me to journal. I’m not going to sugar coat it, this process has been tough, maybe one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through but I’m beginning to see some pretty profound things coming from it. It’s taught me some lessons from a tough break.
I’M NOT IN CONTROL BUT I’M NOT ALONE
When things are going great, we tend to think that we’re somehow in control. All it takes is one crazy life circumstance to show us how out of control we are. In this past couple of weeks, the journey has been scary, and it has been hard, there have moments of joy and pride, sometimes there’s pain(sometimes a lot), sometimes anxiety, sometimes overwhelming gratitude. They all come and go and sometimes within minutes of each other. Though most of it has been out of my control, it’s led me to a greater trust in the one who is in control. Through tears, I’ve been able to come in prayer to God with my doubts and fears. God has been with me the whole time. He never abandoned me.
WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER
My heart is full of gratitude for God’s provision, but most of the things that I’m grateful for aren’t things at all, they’re people. God works through people to extend his love to others, and I can honestly say I’ve felt His love through you. I have my faith, my wife, my family, I have a community that loves and supports me. I’m grateful for the way my wife assumed the role of caregiver on top of her vocation as mother and full-time corporate businesswoman. Through your meals, prayers, cards, phone calls, and visits, God overwhelmed me with love and support. You may not realize it, but God moved through you to bless me. I hope that in some small way you see the impact a simple prayer or word of encouragement can have one someone’s life.
I’M STILL HERE
I’ve gone through a big-time trauma, and I survived. I’m here. I’m here to give love and be loved. I’m here to love God and love my neighbors. I’m here to enjoy life, work hard and play hard. I’m here to struggle and grow. Here’s an odd thought: I think we need the tough moments, the moments of struggle. They are part of life that we can’t and shouldn’t try to avoid. This process is teaching me much about myself and others. It’s teaching me about faith and relationship, life and love. It’s teaching me about gratitude and contentment throughout this journey called life.
If you serve at a church, volunteer or staff, I want you to hear something. Thank you. Thank you for extra rehearsals, creating rich Gospel centered music, and writing sermons. Thank you for standing in the cold to give guests a warm welcome. Thank you for spending time with our little ones and teaching them about our loving Savior. Thank you for working behind the scenes to make sure services are recorded, lighting and sound work properly, and the Gospel heard by many others. Thank you for giving up countless hours during this season to reach those who don’t know Jesus. 
