Marvel

For several years lower back pain kept sneaking up on me. I figured it was arthritis and getting older. But when sitting produced muscle spasms EVERY time, and when my arthritis specialist said I had “mild” arthritis, I finally cried “Uncle”. I made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon. He did some medical stuff and sent me to a physical therapist who works almost exclusively on spines and hips. She developed a regimen to strengthen the small muscles around my spine and my core.

After about a year of following her regimen, and also retiring from a desk job that got me that problem point in the first place, I have virtually no problems.  The pains and twinges I do have truly are arthritis.

The interesting aftermath, however, is my marvel, joy, and wonder every time I bend over to pick something up and don’t have pain or spasms. It’s a “wow” moment pretty much every time.

My husband frequently mentions his own “wow” moment. He went through cancer treatment and at one point all of his medication had to be crushed and delivered through a feeding tube. Now when he swallows pills, he remembers what was and finds joy in being able to swallow pills. For both of us, turning points changed the paths we were on and put us on a better, healthier, and stronger paths.

As I thought about these “wow” moments, I am reminded that “I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see” (Amazing Grace, John Newton). The change Jesus wrought in the direction of my life is an ongoing “wow” moment if I remember where I was headed, the pain and uncertainty, the despair of “will life ever get better or have hope”.

Wow! Just wow!