My Struggle with Gravity

I had anticipated this day all week.  It was to be a day of treasure hunting. My friend and I had planned to visit antique shops and thrift stores to search among the dust, rust, and trash for that “priced just right” treasure.  We prayed and set out on our journey on a cold rainy day.  The first two stores we had on our list were closed, but we refused to allow discouragement to enter our thinking: we would shop no matter what!  After finding no open doors at the first two antique stores, we drove past a thrift shop that had their open sign lit and so we decided to start our treasure hunt there.  Before getting out of the car, we shared with one another some dreams we both had for our futures and our hopes of how God might choose to use us to minister to a lost and dying world.  We left the warm and dry confines of the vehicle filled with hope and a skip in our step in anticipation of what we might find. 

As we walked across the street I noticed a man walking toward us in the crosswalk and in the corner of my eye I caught a glimpsed a large crack in the middle of the street. All of a sudden, it was as if the road literally rose up to meet me as I went airborne after stumbling over the large crevice right smack dab in the middle of my path! I seemed to be falling in slow motion, until I heard and felt the thud of my hands and knees hitting the pavement.  I was blindsided by the pull of gravity. 

I often say that as I get older the pull of gravity on my body seems to become greater – creating sagging skin and opportunities for stumbles and tumbles.  As soon as I fell to the ground all I wanted to do was to get right back up, no other thought entered my head. On the other hand, my sweet friend’s mind began to fill up with emergency response commands like, “I need to call 911, I need to call her husband but I don’t have his number, I need to make sure she stays alert, that she hasn’t broken anything.”  As her mind raced, mine seemed to come to a halt. I was completely dependent on her as I found myself in a desperate situation.

I reached out one hand to the man who was now by my side and the other hand to my friend and they lifted me to my feet.  Once to my feet the man left my side and I began to walk with my friend, who was holding me up as I slowly walked toward the thrift shop. I began to feel faint and knew if I took one more step I would black out right there on the sidewalk. So, I sat down outside the thrift shop and she went inside for help.  When she reappeared she had an older man with her who appeared at first glance to be a policeman, but as I looked closer I realized he was the security guard for the thrift store.  He guided me with the help of my friend to their kitchen in the back of the store where he had me sit with my leg elevated.  He proceeded to clean my wounds and then applied bandages. He brought me an ice pack and a real coke for comfort.  He didn’t make me feel silly for falling in the middle of the street and he didn’t scold me for not being more careful.  He simply offered me the gift of comfort, warmth, and kindness.  He insisted that I sit there for as long as I needed, even if it were all day.

As I sat there, I began to reflect on my fall and looked for the lessons God had for me in my struggle with gravity.  Proverbs 24:32 came rushing to my mind, as is often the case, “I applied my heart to what I observed and I learned a lesson from what I saw.” 

I looked and saw that no matter what obstacle I face in life I do not face it alone.  We are encouraged in Deuteronomy 31:6 to “be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified . . . the Lord your God goes with you.  He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

God provided a stranger and a friend to pick me up when I was down.  David says in Psalm 37:23, “The steps of a man are established by the LORD, and He delights in his way.  When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.” 

My friend was my advocate as she went in search of help, just as Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on my behalf. The Lord calls on the Father and sends help from heaven. (Hebrews 7:25)

When I fall or fail in life I do not have to live in condemnation or shame.  Once I received God’s free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ I stand in assurance of His unconditional love and forgiveness.  He washes my wounds and binds up my brokenness. I can stand in grace. 

These are just a few of the lessons I learned as a result of my struggle with gravity.  Are you struggling with an addictive habit, a family crisis, or a physical injury that keeps forcing you to your hands and knees?  I can assure you that you are not alone. The Lord is with you, to pick you up, send you help, wash your wounds and bind up the broken pieces of your life.  A scripture that ministers to me each time I fall says, “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage.  Yes, wait for the Lord.”  (Psalm 27:13-14)  Reach out for Him, He will be there, faithful to offer grace and mercy in your time of need. 

Grace,

Nancy

P.S.  I did get up from that kitchen table and shopped the rest of that day.  In His strength!