The Unexpected

Life flows gently along, everything passes as it normally does, then, suddenly, the unexpected happens.  Everything changes.  It may be good, it may be bad, maybe it’s just different.  In those totally, unexpected moments, what do you do?  How do you feel?

I had an accident while skiing in February.  No, I didn’t fall, I didn’t do anything.  I was teaching a ski lesson when an out-of-control snowboarder slammed into me from behind.  I was instantly thrown into the air and before I knew it was on the ground, immobile.  I couldn’t breathe.  There was so much pain.  It took place so fast I wasn’t even sure what had happened.  A trip down the mountain on a backboard in a toboggan, an ambulance ride, hours in an emergency ward.  X-rays, a CT scan, doctors appointments.  A broken scapula (shoulder) and many cracked ribs.  Bruises everywhere.  I hurt.  But surprisingly I was happy, joyous.  I was still alive.  I didn’t have a broken back as everyone thought at first.  I was not paralysed.  I will heal, I will have months of physiotherapy, but I will be okay.  God is good.

How do we see life?  Are we victims of circumstance? Victims of all that happens around us?  Or do we let the Lord Jesus use everything for His glory.  Do we praise Him for each breath we take?  I don’t like pain, I don’t like the thought of months of therapy, but I am thankful I am still walking and thank the Lord for protecting me from worse injury.  He is always good.  He is our tender Shepherd.