How Can We Embrace the Journey of Healing and Keep Moving Forward?
My mom turned 80 years young this past September. Three weeks ago, she had her second knee replacement surgery in the last five years. She is currently participating in physical therapy activities each day at home and three times a week at the hospital. There are parts of her physical therapy that she says, “I just don’t like.” But, that doesn’t stop her. She told me tonight, “I don’t like it sometimes, but it’s gonna get better. And, I’ve gotta keep moving.”
I’ve learned many life lessons from my parents. Several of these lessons I carry with me on a daily basis, like: working hard, treating others with respect, and being appreciative because matters could always be different and not as favorable.
The lesson that is currently at the forefront of my days is the one my mom continues to live by: “You’ve gotta keep moving.” The meaning is both physical and mental. We have to keep our bodies and minds moving.
My aunt, a pastor and counselor, would remind us often that life is simple. Either you’re moving or you’re stagnant. In more blunt terms, she would spell it out. If you’re moving, you’re living. If you’re stagnant, you’re dying.
My wife Cori will share in our next podcast about her serious health issue that shook our lives three years ago. She had developed a very critical problem with her kidneys. Three years later, we thank God, Cori’s nephrologist, and her functioning medicine doctor for restoring her back to excellent health!
However, during this time, I did what I thought was my job as a husband. I took on tasks for our family and household that I deemed to be too stressful for Cori. Her job was to heal and recover. My job was to protect her. I did the best job I could in protecting her. But in the process, I made the mistake of not caring for myself mentally or physically. Over two years of neglect led to me being out of shape in both mind and body. My brain was foggy at times, I couldn’t concentrate, and at times I couldn’t remember simple things. I was winded by simply walking, felt a burning sensation in my lower chest, and I ended up in the emergency room with heart palpitations. I quit moving.
Over the past few months, I’ve started committing time for me to move again. I’m reading and journaling. I’m thinking and I’m praying. Cori has me doing yoga twice a week. I’m walking longer distances and not getting winded, and I’m even doing some light running.
Mom is correct. We’ve gotta keep moving, just like the God we serve. Our God is not stagnant, but a God who is ever-moving.
Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch His breath. And He knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.
Author: Chris T. Picture: Freepik