Lessons Learned from a Broken Ankle

Two weeks into my summer vacation I went for my morning jog, landed wrong after crossing over a grassy road verge, and fractured my fibula and probably a few ribs. While stuck on the couch, here's what I learned so far.

Slow Down

After my hectic school year ended in June, I planned to slow way down. Why? Because I felt restless, even during the first few days of my summer break. Although I had no plans and nothing on my schedule, I was still not at rest yet I didn't know what to do to get into that state of heart and mind.

Before my fall I ran at two speeds: 0 and 100 and nothing in between. I was constantly on the go. I found my worth in doing things as if "being" was not enough. If there wasn't anything to do, I'd find something. It made me feel productive. 

When I broke my ankle, I had no choice but to slow down and just be. It required so much of my energy to wash and dress that there was little left to do much anything else.

Accept Help From Others

Allowing others to help me was by far the toughest of all for me to do. I was so used to doing things for myself. I had to learn to accept help from others. 

I wanted to go to our Saturday morning Breakfast Club meeting at my friend's house but I didn't know how I was going to get there. So instead of asking for a ride, I mustered up enough courage to tell her I couldn't drive. This way, if nobody offered I would just not go. Thankfully she texted our group; Can anyone pick up Mare on the way to our meeting this week?

At first, my response was completely prideful, I was aghast with humiliation. You don't understand, I'm the one who likes to help others. I don't like to be the one being helped.

When I confessed my attitude to my friend, she kindly said, "You're allowing others to serve you." Then I realized this was true. Where did I get the idea I was an inconvenience? Hmmmmmm. Where did that come from? Breaking old thought patterns sure was difficult.

Listen to Your Body

While jogging on the day of my accident, I was completely exhilarated! I pushed myself hard on my run and it felt good! My body was strong as I moved down the road, headphones on, listening to a favorite song. 

Making movement and strength training a part of my day has been a process. I didn't always want to do it. However, I learned to love exercising. In fact, my body even craved it. I tried to limit it to six days a week so I could take a day off but realized I enjoyed it so much that I didn't need to; I wanted to do it every day.

The tough part after my ankle break, I could not exercise at all. My doctor told me to wear the boot and come back in three weeks. THREE WEEKS! Praise God. This was so good for me. I learned to surrender to God and submitted to His plans because I knew they were GOOD. Better than my own.

I'm moving as tolerated these days but my body is not ready to go jogging yet. Until then, I will listen to my doctor and care for it. I'm planning to text my friend on Friday to see if she can pick me up for this Saturday's meeting. I'm waiting on God for the direction of my days and it's all good. Very good.

Reflection Questions:

Are you experiencing a setback in life right now? In what ways has this setback been helpful to you? What scriptures speak truth to you regarding your setback?

Resources: 

Ephesians 5:29-After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church

Gen 1:27-So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

John 13:8-"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. (I love this line, Jesus is so practical here :).

Balancing Being and Doing by John Warden