at Mayo Clinic February 23rd. I was told here that mine was a complicated
rotator cuff case and they weren't sure what the outcome would be or it
might take several tries, so I took Pastor Janet's advice and got in at
Mayo's. As the surgery date draws near, I am working hard to get many
things done at home and planned ahead for Salem. By nature I am a very
organized person so I draw comfort in each thing I accomplish.
But it also occurs to me that I am just busy working away at things I can
control when I am facing something that is out of my control. It has been
21 years since I had any serious surgery. There is always an element of
surrender in surgery. You place your trust in skilled physicians and
medical assistants and let go of control. You worry will you wake up, you
worry how much will you hurt, you worry how long it will take to get back
in control!!!
Many years I have prayed with people prior to surgery and encouraged them
that God would be right there to lead and guide, give wisdom and skill to
the medical personnel, and strength for recovery. We have talked about
loss of control issues, having to depend on others for even simple things
you are used to doing for yourself, and the patience that will be needed
to heal. Now it is time to take my own advice once again.
But are we ever really in control? We like to think we are, don't we? The
truth is that there are so many outside factors that influence every part
of our lives, many of them completely beyond our control. If we get
defensive we try to hold so tightly to our relationships or our work that
we can end up choking them out of our lives. Sometimes people
over-control at home because they feel so out of control in the rest of
their lives, or they are so touchy at work because they feel threatened
somewhere else.
Another thing I have preached for years is balance. Knowing when to
listen and when to speak, when to spend and when to save, when to work and
when to rest. I think I'm getting a little better at balance as I age,
but I still find myself constantly adjusting my schedule, choices, or
priorities to regain good balance. In fact, earlier in my life when I had
surgeries it became a time to rebalance life, a gift. At first no one
expected much of you when you were recovering, so you could gradually add
things back as you were able and prioritize.
I also am reminding myself that in middle age I am finding out what
conditions I am going to be living with the rest of my earthly life.
Everyone hopes for good results from surgery, but as bodies age and
conditions develop, we sometimes have to settle for less than we had
hoped. Some abilities may be lost; this is not only realistic thinking
but also challenges us to adapt to limitations that come our way.
Many of you have experienced all these things over and over. I am
reminded of the Apostle Paul and his mysterious "thorn in the flesh" that
is never revealed. He hems and haws over the pros and cons of having this
thorn, but concludes that if it makes Christ known and glorified even
more, he is content to live with it. Let me share this passage with you
from II Corinthians 12, put in plain language by Eugene Peterson's "The
Message" Bible translation: Strength from Weakness . As the chapter
opens, Paul refers to having some kind of vision, something that he could
chose to be boastful about. Let's begin at verse 6: 6If I had a mind to
brag a little, I could probably do it without looking ridiculous, and I'd
still be speaking plain truth all the way. But I'll spare you. I don't
want anyone imagining me as anything other than the fool you'd encounter
if you saw me on the street or heard me talk.
7-10Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't
get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant
touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down;
what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking
around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and
begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My
grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in
your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit
focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case
of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in
stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to
size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take
over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
As I read this passage again today, I was struck with the words "I didn't
think of it as a gift". Also over the years I have encouraged people to
look for the gifts given in a time of weakness…for when we are at our
lowest, God is already at work and is very close, and we learn things we
couldn't have if it were not for the situation. And when good things
happen despite our handicaps, God's work is evident.
What are the unexpected, unsolicited gifts that have come to you as you
dealt with some thorn in your life? Perhaps a new insight, a new
relationship, a new perspective. ..perhaps a deeper faith and relationship
with God. …perhaps a reordering of priorities…perhaps a sense of gratitude
and appreciation….perhaps the ability to relax the reins of control.
These are all gifts.
Two weeks from today I'll have some sort of surgery on my shoulder. I
wonder what gifts this whole experience will bring, and I thank God for
the gifts of others whose skill will bring healing and hope to my body.
I'll be praying for God's good gifts in your life, too.
Carla Vanatta, Associate in Ministry
Salem Lutheran Church, Sycamore, IL
Salem reminders:
• Blood Drive at Salem this Sat. Feb. 12th, 8 a.m. to Noon, in honor of
those who lost their lives in the NIU shootings 3 years ago
• Special offering at weekend services Feb. 12/13 for Lutheran Campus
Ministry at NIU bringing hope and faith to students and faculty
• Salem Puppet Praise Team skit and songs in Sunday services
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