Blog readers who attended Sunday school as children will remember the old chorus we used to sing (with vigorous hand motions) called “Rolled Away.”
Line two was, “Every burden of my heart rolled away.” Today I managed a roll-away that added to my burden instead. While walking Jack, I rolled my foot off a thick-soled sandal.
Several unlikely circumstances came together, the reason for most accidents. When I felt the zap of a bee sting on my toe, I leaped into the air (ok, lurched) and kicked off my flip-flop, rolling the other foot on my landing. Jack’s retractable leash also went flying and impressed him so much he froze with his eyes fixed on me. The whole picture would have made a laughable video for America’s Funniest.
Depositing Jack at home, I grabbed my list of eight errands and headed out. By the third store, my foot was throbbing, and by the fourth I was hanging onto the upholstery sample rods at Joann’s Fabric Store in an effort to stay upright. Hopping to the car on one foot, I drove home with my ankle propped against the AC vent and had a mental love affair with a bag of ice.
Tonight, after several hours in the deep freeze, the swelling is down, and the color is up. I’m arguing against Louisa’s label of “accident prone” and am fighting the inconvenience of a painful foot.
As I sat this afternoon with my propped pillow and ice bag, I was furious with myself. The high sandals were a cast-off from one of the girls, and I should have left them in the trash where I found them five years ago. Today I only wore them because they matched my skirt, so it was vanity that got me in trouble.
Now I have a chance to double my error by complaining or be a patient patient. I can either adjust my attitude and graciously accept this set-back or resist it and fill the cottage with discontent. As they say, attitude is everything.
Trying my best to think maturely but not getting too far, I was rescued by the Lord and Erika. He brought to mind this eight year old great-niece, who is great indeed, especially on attitude issues. For example, I’ve been self-conscious for years about a gold crown in my mouth, hoping some day to make it white like the other teeth. But when Erika saw it she said, “I see your princess tooth, Marni!” Attitude is everything.
Erika puts me to shame with her upbeat analysis of life. God is pleased with her in that, and he expects the same of me. The fact that my foot has served me well these many years and now is holding me back is no excuse for whining. Gratitude should always be my attitude, no matter what new burdens roll in.
And if I have trouble finding anything good about this, maybe I’ll call Erika.
“Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him… overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6-7)
P.S. It wasn’t even a bee sting, just a broken bit of acorn.
Margaret,
Fortunate is the person whose only debts are debts of gratitude.
Do you remember that short skinny whinny friend Fellows you had as a child? He still gets out and runs around inside at times. I like my daughter-in-love, Rebecca’s, response. Just hand that little boy his coloring book and crayons and tell him to find a nice quiet corner in which to occupy himself. The rest of us have more important things to do–like being thankful.
Regards,
Fellows
I’m sorry to hear about your ankle. You turned it into a great post though. We love you and can’t wait till Saturday!
Glad you didn’t break your ankle!
Shall I send you some black flat sandals from Florida? ;0)
Watch soap operas and eat bon-bons?
Be careful or you may find your children dropping off brochures for senior care facilities. : )
So sorry to hear of your twisted ankle. My husband thinks my middle name is Grace and not because it is, but because I am so graceful going down, falling, in parking lots, sidewalks, anywhere there are stones.
Chuck Swindoll says it so well….
The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude… I am convinced that life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% is how I react to it is… we are in charge of our attitudes.”
You are playing that one string well and you have an orchestra of support behind you praying.
It is ironic that yesterday you blogged about racing and today you have a bum wheel. Perhaps refueling before the family arrives.
Sorry about your ankle, been there done that. My Mom always said put on a good pair of supportive shoes and let it swell in them. But I think Ice and elevation is probably better. Thanks so much for you blogs this week and every day. This weeks blogs have especially made me more aware. Love you
Say, when your mom Evelyn confiscated your white go-go boots out of the trash back in the late 60″s…what skirt did they match? Just wonderin 🙂
She gave us many smiles.
So very glad you didn’t ‘break’ your ankle or anything else. Unfortunately, one of the things about growing older is changing our kinds of shoes. After several falls, finally knee replacement surgery…those platforms, pencil heels and narrow ‘Italian fashion cuties’ look oh so cute and dangerous to me now. Forget the ‘thong-shoes’ altogether..(and they have come into their own status of adorable)..but oh well, maybe what ‘anonymous’ had to say is a consideration.
Love ya.
I’m giggling at the mental picture of your mom in white go-go boots and laughing out loud at your description of “rescuing” the black flops from the garbage. The next time you’re up, go look into the mirror and repeat to yourself: “I am becoming my mother!” You could do way worse things. However, I would suggest not “rescuing” any moldy food from the fridge! Love you bunches!
I”m sorry about your foot, Margaret, but thanks for your example of how to handle our attitude!
So enjoy reading your blogs everyday! Hope your foot feels better soon!
Sorry about your foot. Hope it’s feeling better each day. It reminds me of a story I heard Jill Briscoe tell. (And be assured “elderely” does not apply to you.) Jill fell on the ice in a parking lot. Someone called out for help saying that an elderly lady had fallen. Still on the ground, Jill thought “Oh my, another elderly lady has fallen.” 🙂 That got a good laugh and many related, reminding ourselves that we are getting older. Thanks for your reminder about attitude, and you take care! Blessings, Ruth
I AM GLAD THAT YOU ARE MYGRAT AUNT. I LOVE YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!! GIVE JACK A BIG HUG FOR ME AND TELL G AND W THAT I MISS THEM.
LOVE ********* ERIKA*******