Be careful what you pray for...

...because you may actually receive an answer, but it will not be anything you were expecting.

You may have noticed.. I don't blog very often. I also belong to just one message board. My posts counts are not all that high for being a member for three years. My excuse.. time. I even renamed my blog to acknowledge my lack of posts.

Life is busy (I know.. wah, wah, wah). In September, I went back to my little part-time job for a couple of nights a week. It was supposed to be temporary because a position and schedule change is anticipated for my husband's employment after training. Between Daddy's overtime and Mommy's part-time job, home-education, scouting, altar serving, sacrament prep.. life was really full and f-a-s-t. I prayed for a change. God heard my prayer and He answered in a most unexpected way, because....

Everything came to a screeching halt as of Saturday night. I found myself in the emergency room with a broken ankle. While working, I slipped on a slippery floor with my right foot and as I fell, my left foot got caught.. and I won't give further detail because, well, I am a whiny, squeemish, pain wimp. Let's just say that I have been told by each of the medical professionals that I "did a good job on this one." When the words "incisions, pins and metal" started falling out of my surgeon's mouth, I blocked my ears and closed my eyes and just asked "Can you fix it?" He can, but I need to follow instructions to the letter to heal properly and avoid infection. Deep breath.

My outpatient Surgery is scheduled for November 1. The feast of All Saints. Do you think we can get ALL of them to pray for me? I hope so. I am really good at giving scriptural advice to others.. " Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God." says St. Paul,Philipians 4:6, yet, I am not so good at giving it to myself. Sleep just hasn't been happening for the past two nights.

I am really trying to be positive through all of this. I have moments of weakness, but I can already feel a thankfulness post coming on because there have been many special graces already. I am all about lists so here we go..

• No one else was hurt.. just me.
• Our youngest two were already at my husband's parents house so they just stayed another night.
  
• That entitled the older three to a bonus sleepover at my mom's house -- affectionately known as "Disneyland" by us because it is like a vacation when they go anywhere with my Mom.
  
• My husband is totally pampering me. Not that he doesn't usually, but he has a fantastic bedside manner and he is keeping home so very well!
• The (really nice) worker's comp insurance lady has already begun the hassle claim.
• My wonderful co-workers took up a collection and presented me with it as I was leaving the emergency room! Then today when I collected my envelope of tips (I worked at a restaurant), there was a total and an additional "$5 from customer at bar." I must have left an impression with my tumble! I have no idea whom this "bonus" is from, but I am thankful for their kindness. I am still so touched by the thoughtfulness and generosity of my co-workers.
• another kindness is the offer of my mother-in-law to do some laundry for us.
  
• I hurt my left foot, so I will be able to drive sooner than if it were my right foot.
  
• I am getting pretty good with the crutches.. even while groggy on pain meds.
• I am thinking about all of the advantages of eight weeks on the couch with my feet up - trying to make lemonade..right?..I can do this.. how about another list for this one:

1. unlimited read a-louds!
   
2. lots of time to blog and visit blogs and no excuses :-)
   
3. no "not volunteering" guilt for the immediate future
4. a real excuse for not following the meal plan
5. no guilt for convenience meals (as I cannot cook from the couch)
6. "junk food in the house again" (as quoted by the grocery shopper by default, my husband) - sigh, can't win 'em all
7. I will have lots of time to program my new hand-me-down mp3 player. My brother-in-law just got an i-phone so he no longer has use for it. Didn't St. Francis say "if you have two coats, not only should you give one away, you are obligated to? " Do mp3 players count? My sister's husband must think so! What a guy! We are having so much fun listening to his diverse selections. Lots of '80's, some of my favorites, some reggae for my darling. We are still surprised with his eclectic mix of nearly 600 songs.. there is everything from Satchmo to heavy metal (sorry no linky from me on that one). I hope I can clear some room on there for my new Marie Bellet cd's that came home with me after last month's retreat. Now that will add the perfect balance to this clever gadget!
   

Now back to our regular list

• I have lots to offer up and unite my sufferings for Christ. There is a special baby and her family who sure could use prayers and sacrifices right now.
• No more rushing around to finish up the day and get ready for the night to go to work.
• No more.. "Mommy, do you HAVE to go to work, right now? I don't want you to leave."
• On my surgery day, our children will have a substitute teacher! Julian's Godmother's sister has a clear schedule and plans to take over that job. She has three weeks before her career position begins and has been substitute teaching in her local schools for the third and fourth grades. She occasionally visits and comes along on our nature walks up our trail. Recently she helped out with their lessons so the children are used to working with her. Although, I have already told her that if they read, played games, or even just watched movies during my surgery, that would be absolutely fine, too. How can I expect them to carry-on-as-usual?
  
• Julian's Godmother called me out-of-the-blue from Trader Joe's (an hour away!) to ask if she could pick up groceries for us. She had no idea that I was injured and was not able to pick up our groceries after work on Saturday, as planned! We stocked up on quick, healthy snacks that usually cost about twice the price at our local grocery stores! What an angel she is!
  
• The final grace I will mention tonight is that I e-mailed a fellow homeschooling mom to beg her prayers. She called this morning and offered to get meals together. Then she had us swing by and pick up a delicious pasta dish she had prepared for us this evening. When we unpacked, actually I propped my leg up on the couch while the rest of them unpacked... I was presented with an envelope that was tucked in with the dinner. Inside was this prayer that she had written out for me:

A PRAYER FOR HEALING

Lord, You invite all who are burdened to come to you.
Allow Your healing Hand to heal me.
Touch my soul with Your compassion for others;
touch my heart with Your courage
and infinite Love for all;
touch my mind with Your Wisdom,
and may my mouth always proclaim Your praise.
Teach me to reach out to You in all my needs,
and help me to lead others to You by my example.

Most loving Heart of Jesus,
bring me health in body and spirit
that I may serve You with all my strength.
Touch gently this life which you have created,
now and forever.

Amen.

Author: Priests & Brothers of the Sacred Heart at the Sacred Heart Monastery in Hales Corners, WI, USA.