A Challenging Gift
You have to wonder why people give you certain gifts. Is there a message in the gift? What exactly are they trying to tell you? Perhaps its more devious than that – like a challenge they hope you will fail at.
Such was a Christmas gift Thad and I were given.
It was a very unique gift and if we were 5-10 years younger and healthier; I would have been less skeptical. Let me explain.
In the last two years Thad has undergone three operations on his right shoulder which has left him with a ball in his shoulder but nothing to attach it to because there was not enough bone to work with after a severe infection. Thus, his right arm is unable to be lifted without help. He has neuropathy in his feet which makes him like a Weeble Wobble – i.e. unsteady on his feet. He has essential tremors in his hands and more neuropathy and loss of feeling. I have arthritis and carpel tunnel in my hands, a left foot that become flat footed with a bone protruding out the bottom on the inside of my foot which can sometimes throw off my walk and gait. I can look like I have been drinking more than just milk, coffee or tea. Throw in my hip and shoulder arthritis and I can look like I’ve been hit by a truck.
I often tell this friend that these days it takes the two of us to make one whole body.
So back to my question: Should you really give a Glass blowing lesson to two alte kakers (Yiddish term for old)?
With no idea of what to expect we went. What could possibly happen? Honestly, we had some concerns that we would not be able to create anything but a blob that would sit on the mantle beside our wedding picture to remind us of just how far and often we have fallen.
The young man was most gracious as we explained our concerns. He assured us he would be there right behind us all the way. I was reminded of the story in the Book of Daniel, where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three Hebrew men who refuse to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue. There’s a fear that one experiences when faced with not one but three furnaces in which you are guided to create a masterpiece. Did I have their faith?
As Thad and I each choose a project I was sure one of us would end up in a furnace and EMS would certainly be called. Where was the nearest burn unit? What hospital was the closest?
True to his word, the young man guided our hands and feet to exactly where to be and how to twirl the burning bright rod and glass. I stood behind Thad to steady him as together he and the young man utilized two different furnaces, and twirling and pulling at the melted glass creating a beautiful multi colored paper weight. And I thanked God that I did not have one moment where my foot turned or where I lost my balance. A beautiful candy dish was created.
So was it a subtle wish that we will blow up in a furnace? No, I believe it was a gift thoughtfully created for us to experience an outing that didn’t include doctors, radiological or blood tests, or hospital visits. A rarity these days.
I also think that it was an analogy to our life right now. Life today is filled with lots of medical issues. With it comes loss of mobility, independence and fear of the unknown. Regardless, our faith reminds us to persevere because we know just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we are not alone on this journey. God is in the midst of the furnaces. The furnaces in our lives may tempt us to stop living the life God chose for us. If we live our life in faith we will survive the furnaces in life as we make our way to eternity. A gift from God, life can be challenging. But if we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, our life becomes reflected as a beautiful work of art designed by God for all to see.
The paperweight and candy dish are displayed prominently in our home to remind us that in life there is still joy to be found even in the midst of the fire and through the fire, we shine. Thank you, dear friend.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Thank you for reading my post. If you have found it encouraging please consider liking, commenting or sharing it. Feel free to even re-blog – may these words take flight!
I have additional insights I’d love to share with you found in the pages of my debut book: Surviving Medical Mayhem – Laughing When It Hurts. To order a copy or learn more go to my website at www.lorettaschoen.com
Blessings for Health & Wellness.