Category: God’s Faithfulness

I fear flying, which is why I was glad that the pilot of my 2024 Boston trip warned me of turbulence. (See here.) If only the pilot of my Boston trip two weeks ago had been as considerate.

Immediately after boarding, I heard a disturbing, loud grinding noise. As it continued, I wondered if the plane was mechanically sound. Grind, grind, grind through takeoff and too many minutes of flight, which included sideways turbulence.

The next day, I encountered a Jet Blue flight attendant. My husband told her about the noise.

We call that plane The Whale. It’s supposed to sound like that.

If only…

Before my first knee surgery, I was not warned about the extreme pain and sleepless nights. My doctor answered subsequent concerns with “That’s normal.” Multiple friends said it took a year for total recovery. The last response my doctor sent about my continued pain was “It hasn’t been a year yet.”

If only…

Last week, I had my second knee surgery. It’s helpful to know there’s turbulence ahead.

I’m glad God warns me.

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 (ESV)

Ask and it will be given to you...

Matthew 7:7 (ESV)

In September, my husband registered for the April Boston Marathon. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Then, he sprained his ankle. His knee gave out next, and shots weren’t as helpful as hoped. Finally, his hip became painful.

In the Fall, I re-injured my knee. My orthopedist scheduled surgery and said I would recover enough for Boston. I didn’t.

As the date approached, we wondered how it would turn out. One night I suggested, “Let’s pray we have the Best Boston Marathon Ever.”

We adjusted. We substituted Uber for the subway and walking. We skipped activities to rest in our hotel. We soaked in Epsom salts. After the race, we agreed it was the Best Boston Marathon Ever.

When I recounted our answered prayers to my friend Katie, she quoted, “You have not because you ask not.” (James 4:2) A good reminder.

To the church in Sardis… I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.

Revelation 3: 1-2 (ESV)

I found the admonitions in Revelation harsh and discouraging. However, God gave me a different perspective after knee surgery. Based on friends’ experiences, and on the fact that I swam, biked, and walked my neighborhood with steep hills, I anticipated a manageable recovery. I was wrong. For days, my pain was overwhelming.

My physical fitness was not “complete.” Basic, simple exercises were hard. My physical therapist told me I had weak ankles, which were causing other problems. She assigned specific exercises.

Instead of being discouraged, I was grateful to know my deficiencies. I could work toward health. And I saw that was what God was doing when He gave seven churches their “fitness assessment” in Revelation. His goal was to bring spiritual health. He assigned them exercises.

Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it and repent…

Revelation 3:3a (ESV)

A rounded, knotty outgrowth on a tree

Definition of Burl

Although burls are ugly, resembling warts, they have fascinated me for over a dozen years. I look for burls whenever I’m surrounded by trees.

I may not remember my first notice of burls, but I remember why they became intriguing. Burls are formed when a tree becomes stressed from an injury, virus or fungus. The resulting wood grain that grows in a deformed manner is so beautiful that the grain is coveted by wood carvers. Burls are poached.

Even more amazing than their unseen beauty, some burls can grow a new tree. Or multiple trees.

Affliction that seems ugly on the outside produces fruitfulness and inward beauty. That is both Biblical and amazing to see up close in God’s creation.