Curve Ball Part 2

It has been a couple of weeks since I wrote anything. The surgery on my hand went as expected. I had it in bandages and a sling for two weeks. I went today to get them off and the stitches out. I was expecting a splint as that was what the doctor had indicated is usually the next step. However, that is not what happened. After examining the wrist, he felt it was best to put it in a cast for two more weeks - curve ball! I was ready for the splint. I had myself prepared for that. I desperately wanted to shower without a bag on my arm. I am discouraged and frustrated. Remember I have been trying to get this wrist repaired since July 2006. I've already endured surgery, cast, splint, rehab, cortisone shots, another surgery, and I was ready to be almost finished. Now I got a 2 week detour. 2 weeks doesn't sound like a lot but I had been counting the days until I got my arm back. Now I am just hoping to be able to play a round of golf in July with my Dad.

How do you handle discouragement and frustration - Those "curve balls" that life throws at you? I am trying to be patient. I know there are lots of people in this world that are worse off than me. I am reminded of a passage in Romans 5 that says that suffering produces perseverance and perseverance, character, and character, hope. It is that hope that keeps us going. That hope comes from God. He loves us and wants the best for us. He loved us so much that he sent Jesus to die for us. Not because we deserved it but because he loved us.

Paul prayed that the Ephesians would deeply know God's love.

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Ephesians 3:16-21).

I’m encouraged –how about you?