Today is the day. At 2:45, I go into surgery for the second time to get this left shoulder fixed. I appreciate all of you who have said you will pray for me. Also, pray for my surgeon, Dr. Dorizas, a godly man I’ll “introduce” you to later, if I get the chance. I’m going to attempt to keep updates on my website, if you’re interested. I’m not sure if they’ll all show up on Facebook or not, so if you want to keep up, you’ll probably have to check back from time to time here.
Many people have asked me if it’s depressing having to go in for a second surgery for the same problem. Honestly, it’s not. Yeah, I had to process it for about half of a day when I first heard the news, but I’ve been dealing with this shoulder pain for about three years with the first surgery two years ago. I probably would (and should) be depressed over chronic, everyday pain, except the grace of God as He taught me, early on, the lesson He blessed Paul with:
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
No, unlike Paul, I didn’t recieve a special revelation, so there’s nothing for me to boast about there, but I can brag about the grace of God in my life. He has shown me so much about myself and Himself through this that I would not trade the pain for. I have prayed for it to go away, for sure, but He’s taught this pride-filled, stubborn guy much about His grace and the power that comes through it. So, I will brag about that and pray that His power will rest on me, even if this surgery doesn’t accomplish what we hope for. I am content.
