Hello! Welcome to our weekly blog link-up!
If you’re new, we gather week after week for a five-minute freewrite on a single word prompt. Learn more HERE.
This week’s FMF writing prompt is: COULD
Ready? GO.Â
I had surgery last week, and if there’s anything that will quickly place you into a period of forced rest, it’s surgery. It’s been 13 years since I last underwent an operation of any kind, and I remember now why I’m so glad I don’t have to do that very often. But also, thank the Lord for modern medicine and skilled doctors and the gift of healing, amen?
But back to the idea of forced rest. I spent about eight days doing a whole lot of nothing. The two or three days before surgery I was in too much pain to move, then the day of surgery I was too sleepy from the anesthesia to move, then the day after surgery I was a combination of too sleepy and too sore to move. So I just laid still. For hours.
I didn’t really even have energy to lift a book or open my laptop. I did, however, listen to the first half of Anne of Green Gables on my headphones, and it was delightful. The perfect escape to help me pass the time without making me think too much.
Then as the days passed, I began to move around a bit more, and soon I was tempted to do more than I should. My brain told me I could do it, but my body (and husband) quickly reminded me that I shouldn’t.
It’s a hard but necessary lesson to learn in life—that just because we could do something doesn’t mean we should.
So I’m reminding myself to wait on the Lord, and to embrace this temporary period of stillness before Him while He continues to do His work in me.
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Before you go, here are three fantastic (and free!) resources for writers I think you’ll love:
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10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Write a Book
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How to Blog Successfully During a Pandemic
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Monday, September 14th | 2pm and 8pm EST
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Join this week’s link-up below with your own five-minute freewrite on the prompt, COULD, then visit your link-up neighbor to read their post and leave an encouraging comment!
I’m so glad you’re on the better end of your surgery! I tend to think I should always be doing something, and I find it difficult to remember to NOT do things when I should be resting. But you’re so right, just because you could, doens’t mean you should!
So pleased to hear your on the mend. Praying you will continue to gain strength. Thank you for making this week x
I thought perhaps a broken arm
could save me from the PT pace
that might do it some real harm,
and then DI got in my face.
The veins upon his forehead bulged
as he worked into a rage,
and loudly he indulged
in comments on my parentage.
And then he paused, and (oh, wow!) smiled
and said “You know, maggot, you’re right.
Let it heal, take it mild,
and get thee from my sight;
I wa just messin’ with your head,
so no PT; go run instead.”
I’m glad you’re doing better Kate and that you’re learning to embrace this period of stillness. It’s not as easy as it sounds – sometimes we can overdo it when we start thinking that we should get up and at ’em. Praying for a full recovery for you!
Wouldn’t we all be better off if we remember that just because we COULD do something, it doesn’t mean we SHOULD do something.
Amie, FMF #12
I hope you’re feeling more strength return each day. Thank you for hosting this lovely Friday ritual.
Glad you’re feeling better.
Thanks for the reminder that just because we could doesn’t necessarily mean w should.