I had it all worked out. We would spend a nice, quiet time at home in December and January, with occasional visits from relatives and friends. I would finally get some more writing done, after speaking so much this past year. And, of course, I would make time somehow to watch the cricket on TV. And the tennis. What bliss! I could even start some knitting, in preparation for our new grandchild. That would mean I wasn’t really wasting my time, watching all that sport!
Alas—it hasn’t quite worked out that way. Instead, I am writing this lying awkwardly on my side in bed, my laptop balanced on a nearby chair. I have severe lower back trouble, with resulting bad sciatica in my left leg, which makes walking and even sitting difficult. Of course, I can still watch that cricket and tennis. But it’s hard to write at any length, typing sideways. Besides, the medication I’m on means I have difficulty finding my brain at times. And has anyone tried knitting, while lying flat on one’s back?
This whole experience has served to remind me well of James 4:13-14:
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
Needless to say, my natural reaction to all this has been to feel very frustrated. I have so much I want to write. I was sure God wanted me to complete my next non-fiction book by June. Besides, I need to be setting up speaking engagements for the coming year and planning out those months ahead. Yet here I am, doing none of it. I have found it easy to slip into feeling sorry for myself, as I lie here in the one position that is reasonably comfortable, heat pack on my back and wondering what will happen at my next visit to the specialist.
Then I received a little card in the mail, out of the blue, from a lady at our church. Apparently, she had heard about my back troubles from my husband and wanted to let me know she is praying for me. A lovely thing, for sure. But it was the words on the front of the card from Lamentations 3:22-23 that struck me most:
The Lord’s love never ends; his mercies never stop. They are new every morning.
Hmm. If that‘s true, I thought—and it is—then the Lord is still loving and merciful to me right here in the midst of this change of plan and this pain. Surely a good reason to focus on him rather than feel sorry for myself.
That same day, an email arrived unexpectedly from a writer colleague who did not know about my back troubles. To encourage me for the year ahead, she quoted Lamentations 2:22-23 from the NIV:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I think the Lord’s trying to remind me of something, don’t you? Even that is a loving act—and i am comforted.
Jo-Anne Berthelsen's Blog 
So sorry you back problem has really flared up so badly, Jo-anne. Many years now – thank God! – I suffered from that debilitating back pain. God is just putting His arms around you through His people, letting you know his love and reminding you He IS in control! Praying for you.
Thanks so much, Mary. I accidentally posted this blog in the Aust Christian Writers’ group rather than just on my timeline, but I’m glad I did now, as I have now received lovely, encouraging comments from writers like yourself, Paula and Carol Preston. Looks like I might be having a little back op on Thurs 16th, so hopefully that will fix the problem. Really appreciate your prayers and your comments–I feel so blessed in so many ways.
Praying for you to experience God’s new mercies every day. Love from all the Braileys.
Jo-Anne, I’m sorry to hear of your troubles. May you hang onto to the Lord and let Him fill you with His faithfulness. I hope you may experience some delightful rest in these next few weeks.
Thanks so much, Ian. I really appreciate your taking the time to respond to my blog. I inadvertently posted it to the Aust Christian Writer’s group instead of just on my timeline, but I’m glad now, as that has resulted in receiving lovely comments such as yours. God truly is so full of love and mercy–I have so many things to be thankful for right now. I hope I’m not laid up for too many weeks though, as I have a couple of speaking engagements next month! I’m just trusting God in it all. God bless.
Thanks so much, Geoff and Krystoll–and Olivia! So grateful for God’s presence and so many mercies, including a good neurosurgeon who is our niece’s husband and a very committed Christian. God bless!
Praying God’s peace through your pain. Will be thinking of you on Thursday.
Thanks, Cathy–lovely to hear from you. I really appreciate your prayer for me. The back op will hopefully be Thursday week, 16th.
Oh dear, Jo! You will be in our prayers, especially on the 16th.
Thanks so much, Barb–and I really appreciate those prayers. Lionel is rapidly learning how to cook simple meals for us and do the shopping. Can you imagine all that?! He’s good though–as are our daughters–in looking after me. I have lots to be thankful for. Hope the year is going well for you folk.