9.13.2008

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Phil 4:4

This verse is one of my favorites. It is easy to be happy and joyous through the good and easy times, but this verse is a great reminder to always rejoice. Always.

the Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.
Psalm 126:3

Through the good and the bad situations in our lives God's goodness can be seen – and I for one love to see God's goodness through the hard times. Not that I love the hard times, but I love seeing God's provision and care through the hard times. It truly is awesome. Nothing else comforts quite like God's calming reassurance that He holds us in His hands.

We are at the beginning of a 'hard time' right now.
Last night Paul was out on a dirt bike and crashed (with the road – no one else was involved!) I was at home with the sick babies, so his friend, who was with him at the time, took him in to the ER.

Paul broke his left wrist – one broken bone and all the ligaments torn off, sprained his right wrist, sprained his right ankle and has severe road rash on his palms, back and right knee.
From what I heard about the accident it is a miracle he is still alive. God is good.

They set and casted the broken wrist, and tomorrow morning they are going to do surgery. He'll have one screw placed and two pins. In six weeks the cast will come off and the two pins will come out. He'll get a 'soft cast' (is that the right name?!) The Doctor said it'll be 9 months before he's able to "do more than lift a pop can with that hand." He'll have to do rehab for his hand, mostly exercises he'll do himself at home. The doctor thinks Paul will regain most of the abilities back in his wrist. And if all goes well tomorrow for surgery Paul can come home on Monday.

This means a lot of hard things. A lot of frustrating things. But God's care and provision is so very evident to us right now. THOSE are the things we're choosing to focus on. Things like the fact that Paul is still alive. That the injuries will be only a memory – and perhaps scars – in a year. That we have friends who can watch Judah while Wes and I go to the hospital.
We'd also been praying for a way for Paul to have Sundays off – they do a mobile blood drive to Parris Island every Sunday so he almost never is off for church. With this injury he'll be given time off work, which means he can be there on Sundays.

I spent most of the afternoon with him at the hospital. He was a lot worse off than I'd imagined. It's so hard seeing him in so much pain. His gown and bedding were bloody, so I was able to help him shower and the nurse changed the bedding out for him. He got to brush his teeth and that made him feel a bit better.

I'm at home with both boys now. Judah is still getting over his sickness, so I didn't want to send him anywhere overnight just in case.
I hope to go back to the hospital tomorrow afternoon again. I can't wait for him to get home! I hate having my heart stretched to two different places.

15 comments:

Stacy said...

Yikes! Praise God he's ok!!

Anonymous said...

What a day! Good for you to look at the positives. You have a beautiful family and such a fun blog. I'm new here... thanks for stopping by Finer Things today! We must have a lot in common... I've done a post on freezing milk and I'm in the middle of a Fill Your Freezer series. :-)

Nicole said...

Ouch ouch and ouch! Poor Paul. I am so glad God was watching out for him and that he is alive Jess. It sounds like he will have a bit of a hard road ahead, but with you, your kids, your guy's families and God I am sure you guys will still be able to focus on the good and not so much the bad. I am proud of you for being so positive with all that just happened. Paul and you guys will be in my prayers and I hope that he feels better daily.

((((hugs and prayers)))))

Crystal said...

Aww, hon, I didn't realize it was so bad when you told me last night. I know I'm far far away, but if there's anything I can do, please let me know. And you know I really mean that.

(((hugs)))

Anonymous said...

Praying, Jess! Good for you for rejoicing in hard times! Praying some great growth in ways you didn't imagine, all because of the timing of this.

And being torn between home and hospital...yeah...that stinks really bad. I'm glad he'll be home soon! ((((((((((((((((Jess))))))))))))))))) Hang in there!

Weeksie50 said...

Oh, I am so sorry this has happened but I am glad that he is already doing better.. I am also sorry that your needing to be in two places at once..

I am praying for your husbands speedy recovery..

I checked our walgreens.. and they were sold out too..ugh.

Becky

Anonymous said...

Thank You, Lord, that this husband and father is alive.

Jess, awwww, I am so sorry. I'm with Crys---whatever need I can meet, let me know.

Jess, if you and Paul have shown me anything through the years it is that you work together, trust the Lord, accept the obstacles, and persevere through with grace. May you feel the Lord with you and Paul at this time. If anybody can make a go of it - you two can.

Love,
Jeanie

Claire said...

Oh my! Well done you for focusing on the positives, sweetie. God is good. I'm thinking of you all and praying for you.

Cxx

Bethany said...

I'll be praying for you guys too. Big hugs...

Rachel said...

I will also be praying for a speedy recovery. Praise God he's alive!

Julie said...

I pray for abudant blessings for you guys through this and a quick recovery for Paul.

Anonymous said...

(((Jess, Paul, Judah and Wesley)))

My goodness, what an ordeal! I'll be praying for you!

Melissa Murphy said...

Praise God he's okay!!
I will most definitely be praying for you guys!!!

Bethany said...

Aw, Jess. I'm so sorry Paul is hurting right now! I'm glad he's going to eventually be OK. Lots and lots of ((((((Hugs)))))) to you and your family.

The Rock Chick said...

Oh, wow! Thank God he will be ok. I wish I could help you, bvut your in my thoughts and prayers.

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