Still healing
April 14, 2009 | Just me
More x-rays today. My physical therapist believes that my shoulder is unstable. That image makes me think of a teetering glass vase sitting on the edge of the table, but more likely I just have a little more little healing ahead of me.
Being in pain these past few days and constrained in physical activity for the past six weeks has shown me new territory. A land of limitations I don’t like much. I don’t like illness, slowing down, not being able to do what I want to do without thinking it through.
A few years ago my husband worked at a local factory as a planner. He walked on concrete up to 12 hours a day. He was young, but he hurt. One day he asked me if I ever hurt. And the answer was no. I couldn’t empathize with his aches. I cared, but I had never walked in his shoes.
Six weeks ago my answer was the same. I didn’t know what it was like to hurt physically for hours at a time. Now I do.
How can God redeem this time? I pray that it helps me to remember what it feels like when I encounter someone who lives with pain day in and day out. I pray that I have empathy for those who suffer, in ways much greater than I have.
I pray that I remember to thank God for good days that are pain free, and to trust Him when they are not.
I’m ready to be well again, people. That’s the bottom line, and yet I trust God through this process. I want to sing with joy instead of whine (which I have done plenty of privately). I want to be able to lift my left arm over my head again, but until then I’ll praise him with my Suzie dance or inside my heart.
I want to be physically strong again, but until then I’ll rely on His strength.
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Hi Suzie,
I really enjoyed reading this article! I am 19 and have lived with chronic illness and pain for just over 2 years now, and strongly believe in finding God’s purpose in pain. Finding comfort in His arms enables you to get through anything, as the saying goes “If He brings you to it, He’ll bring you throught it”.
Also I was reading your article I remembered 2 Corinthians 1:4 “He comforts us whenever we suffer. That is why whenever other people suffer, we are able to comfort them by using the same comfort that we have received from God.”
I finally want to add a big THANKYOU – your website “Real Teen Faith” has really inspired me and helped me through many a rough patch
May God continue to bless you and your ministry!
April 14th, 2009 at 10:22 amps. i hope you feel better soon!!
Hope you are feeling “back to normal” very soon. I’ll be sending some extra prayers up for you!
April 14th, 2009 at 4:18 pmHi Suzie,
I helped you with your books at my Churches retreat last night.
I’ve been suffering with chronic back pain for four years now. I’ve learned that out of all the pain I’ve ever suffered the emotional pain is the worst. I have days when my back hurts from the moment I get up to the following morning when I get up again. I’ve also had emotional pain that hurts deeper than any physical pain ever will. Your work you are doing to help others touches so many emotional pains. I just want to thank you for helping when people hurt the most.
God bless you!
April 25th, 2009 at 7:31 am