Down for the Count
I wasn’t terribly happy when I got up yesterday. I hadn’t slept well the night before, and for much of it, just layed awake, unable to get comfortable around the pain. So I sat there with my cup of coffee, feeling irritable and thinking I should probably just go say the morning prayers. I didn’t much feel like it, hadn’t felt like it in some days, maybe even weeks, but my Magnificat was on the desk right beside me, and as I glanced at, buried under a crochet project, a dog collar, and an assortment of papers, I noticed it was already open to that day’s prayers.
I guess God really had something important to say to me.
Be calm, infinitely calm, both in soul and in body. Do not attempt too much, but what you do, do well and gently. Quality first, but good quality. Follow grace in souls; take its step. It is adagio; often adagissimo, but very sure. Forget yourself completely – time, studies, health, reputation… Give yourself utterly, without counting the cost, without reserve, without thought of yourself. God alone!
We know tht to them that love God, all things work together unto good. To those with good will; that is to say, those who, submitting and making over their reason and will to the Holy Spirit and allowing themsel ves to be guided by him, invariably arrive at that perfection willed for them by God. That does not mean that we can sit with our arms folded and leave it all to him. On the contrary, we must make use of all that divine Providence sends us: reverses, falls even; bearing always in mind the good that the Holy Sprit wants to draw from these things. given that disposition, the Holy Spirit will never be absent. He also makes use of reverses to correct our faults and set us on our way again. Use everything, then, with this end in view; in all weathers, keep you compass pointing to God; make him your aim.
~Dom Augustin Guillerand
Yes, He was definitely talking to me.
Now I’m going to tell you about my back pain so you all can pray for me. 
Some months ago, I fell down the stairs. It was bizarre, really. I never lost my footing. I was coming down from tucking in the children and I stopped to pick up a small toy left on one of the stairs. I’d passed it on my way down, so it wasn’t out of reach now, but as I bent, it was like somebody pulled a rug out from under me. I had no sense of being unbalanced, no feeling on instability. One moment I was on my feet and the next, I landed hard on the left side of my bottom and slid down the rest of the stairs. Ouch. I had a big purple bruise and an understandable soreness for several weeks afterwards, but I did recover.
About three weeks ago, a little more maybe, I noticed a dull, achy pain in the bones of my pelvis. I also had a cold. It was that Thursday morning, the seventh of January, that I coughed. That dull ache in my pelvis suddenly yielded to sharp shooting pain that began in my back and radiated down my leg, sometimes as far as my ankle. I’ve had a few visits with the physical therapist, and my pain no longer extends past my knee, but I’m seeking x-rays of the area, too, just to be sure. The pain varies in intensity, from barely-there to all-I-can-think-about, and three weeks into it now, I’m just tired.
I see God’s hand in all this, I do, but this is having a detrimental impact on every area of my life. Squeaky wheels get oiled, even with God, so I’m asking you to please pray for me.
I’m praying for you, too. I always do.
I’m praying. I remember how bad I felt in August after my car accident. Labor with my children was easier certainly shorter. I’ll pass on the advice my family doctor who is also a mom and understands what moms do gave me. Take the pain meds even when the pain is in the barely there stage and do the minimum you can for several days to a week. Minimum means really keep the kids and house standing. I didn’t drive or do housework as in mopping vacuuming grocery shopping. If you don’t want to take the RX pain meds when you’re alone with the kids at least take them at night. I hadn’t realized how missing sleep can really not help you heal.
Wow. That reading is marvelous for anyone, but I saw a few places that might have spoken directly to you. Prayers for your pain. I’m sure the x-rays will be very helpful.
Praying for a speedy recovery…and that you did not do damage to any bones that will not heal quickly. Try, try, try to rest up some…I know it is hard with all you have going on at the farm. I love you and hope you are better soon.
Jennie prayers are being sent your way my dear! Back pain is nothing to mess around with. Take care of yourself and you need to really take it easy on yourself for a lil while.. I know it is hard for us Moms to do that but sometimes we have to to get better : ) (((((((hugs))))))
Praying for you! Keep your spirits up.
Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry! I knew you had been hurting, but thought it was on the up-swing. I am definitely praying! Take care of yourself. I know as moms we always have so much to do and we don’t want to let our families down. But our daughters watch us and we want them to learn to gracefully take care of themselves when the season calls for it. I’m sure you already are though.
Praying this season is over with VERY soon!
Hang in there Jennie. Let me know if you need me to do anything for you. I will be happy to hit the commissary or whatever. You are in my thoughts always.
Remembering you in prayer. Sadly, sometimes back injuries just need time, and patience.
PS Don’t you just love it when the Magnificat speaks to you?
It’s scary sometimes, how relevant that little book is.
Thank you for your prayers, ladies. They mean the world to me! And just so you know how they’re being answered, the good Lord sent my beloved friend Pat over for a spirit-lifting visit, the doctor called to say I could come in for x-rays today, and sometime around 11, whilst visiting with Christi and her family, the pain receded enough that I can move a little. God is good, and so are you. Thank you for the love.
Prayers for you, a bit late. I’m so cranky and irritable when I’m in pain…I always think of long suffering saints that stayed cheerful and…I’m no saint I guess.
The prayers aren’t late, Mel. I’m already three weeks into this with no end in sight, so I’m grateful.
Offered up prayers for you at Adoration tonight. Just for you.
Thank you.
Praying for a healed momma!
Jennie – I thought the house looked amazing and you were incredibly awesome to make coffee for us when you were feeling so miserable. Seriously – for someone with such back pain (you hide it well!) the house looks great. Tidy and, most of all, filled with peace!
Loved the bookshelves in the front room – I meant to ask if Dave had made them? Our older boys noted David’s spurs and were describing them (and the other things of note that boys notice) to him at the dinner Wednesday night. Man – that was hard. The dinner, I mean. By then the littlest ones were so exhausted from being on the road since 9:30 the night before and were begging to go back to the hotel.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for opening your doors to us and sharing your home and family! It was a wonderful respite (despite the embarrassment of Cecilia’s little gift to you all!)and allowed us to arrive at the hotel late enough to be able to check in early and rest a couple of hours before dressing for Miguel’s dinner!
Miguel keeps asking what rank David is and what he did/does? And (sigh) I have to keep saying “I forgot to ask!” So I’m asking – what is his rank and what did/does he do? Thanks again!
Christi, I was delighted to meet you, and I think Delaney might like to be in touch with your Bethany.
David is Sergeant First Class (E7) and he’s a tanker, AKA Armor Crewman. He went to war twice with his Cavalry unit down at Fort Stewart, which is how he earned his spurs. It wasn’t his first time going to war, but it was his first time with a Cav unit. He also has a sword that was awarded to him for recruiting, and he was so good at it that he earned his gold ring. He guarded the wall in Germany during the Cold War, he fought in Desert Storm, he’s served in Korea, and he’s been twice to Iraq. We’ll be happy to answer any other questions the boys might have!
Yes, Davey made those shelves for me. I’ve got to paint them yet, but I love them, and I love he who made them.
And once again, no worries about Cecilia’s little gift. I needed to mop anyway!
PS I’ll offer up my sore back for yours the next couple of days cause I know what this is like and the trip home helped reactivate my lower back pain. Shoulder is still good though. We mums just can’t afford to fall can we? Interestingly the little girls (Emma and Elsa) have not only been praying for my back but recently added that I not fall any more. Since adding that to their prayers – I have almost fallen twice and been caught as if wings had held me in place. I believe it was the result of their prayers that either my guardian angel, or theirs, saved me from more injury.