Sprained ankle, Prayer and Sense of Humor

I sprained my stinkin ankle yesterday. I wish that could say that I did it mountain biking or chasing a pheasant with my dogs or even just jogging but I can't. I sprained it walking with my son Luke at Walmart. I was turning into an aisle and somehow I managed to turn my ankle . Arrrrrrrrg. It (my ankle) didn't even have the decency to hurt right away so that I might know that I was injured. It didn't hurt til about 2 hrs later. By 4 o'clock I wanted Jesus to take me (no really - it hurt like anything - and I can take a good amount of pain). Not that I'm someone who wants the world to feel sorry for me every time I bump my knee but it's a nice thing when a person's family in concerned about them. My second eldest daughter was the only one that could give me some type first aid. I don't want to say that she was reluctant but she fluctuated between non interest and finding my pain very amusing. After she had her fun deriding me for requesting the first aid kit that is for the dogs (I have accident prone dogs - OK). the dogs' first aid kit has stuff in it that is more useful for more sports like injuries than the household cut and scrape kit. Anyway, Daughter #2 is more laughing than comforting as she Ace bandages an ice pack to my ankle. After her art project on my ankle I asked that she would lay hands and pray for the injured ankle. She did so with no fuss but I 'm pretty sure that I heard her pray "Lord help Daddy stop being a baby". I wasn't sure so I let it go. Immediately I felt relief. Although still had to hobble around. Luke laughed every time he would see me limp. I mean he laughed to the point he had tears in his eyes. I asked him why he thought it was so funny but he was laughing so hard he couldn't make words.
When my youngest daughter (3yrs) arrived home from daycare I asked that she would pray for my ankle (she didn't really know that body part). One of the siblings made a crack that the only prayer she knows is the blessing for the food. She was offended but did a good job ignoring them as she began to pray very dramatically for my ankle.
I woke this morning and it was obvious that my ankle was still injured but not much pain to speak of. God is good -
I have to say that yesterday's injury was the most fun I've had in few weeks. The Lord really has gifted me with some special, funny kids.
Witness for Christ in all that you do!

Remembering A Hard time

There was a time in my ministry that I used to wish I could erase. It was a painful time filled with feelings of abandonment and anger towards others in ministry. For about 18mos I served with no joy what so ever. I had committed my life to this and was it. Who said I had to be joyful ? I did my job - people got served - no problem. Oh -BIG PROBLEM ! I WAS DISOBEDIENT! Philippians 4:4-7 says to rejoice and have no anxiety about anything. Yet I did not rejoice in anything and was anxious in all things. Could it be I lost focus ? In retrospect, some people just weren't telling me how great I was and recognizing my service. HMMMMM- It's not like I was being martyred or anything. Then what was my real problem ? ---------------HUMILITY! crud I thought that I was still living in the presence of the Lord after all He says He will never leave me or forsake me, right ? But then I read Psalms 16:11 it says that in the Lords presence is the fullness of joy. I was joyless for those 18 mos. I had left the presence of the Lord TO BE THE GUEST OF HONOR AT MY OWN PITY PARTY. I lacked humility. I was not serving just because I loved Jesus. I wanted recognition and praise. Those two pieces of scripture ministered to me. And litany of humility changed my life. Here it is, let it change you. Really it's letting Jesus change you. http://www.rc.net/wcc/humility.htm
GO BIG OR GO HOME !