Happy Birthday, Hamstring!

Two years ago this morning I had an appointment with a man who repairs body parts for a living.

Fetchingly clad in hospital-issued gown, I was wheeled through the swinging doors into the surgical suite. I lay there under the bright lights watching people scurry to and fro. There was chatter but none of it directed at me. I had already done my part to get there.

I spotted Dr. Miyamoto, my surgeon, standing near the far wall. He was scrubbed and gowned and masked and the rest – just like on tv. I wanted him to look my way. To reassure me that everything would be okay.  He didn’t. Look my way that is. He was all business. Agenda: re-attach left hamstring.

One figures that prayer will come naturally in moments like this. But no. Good thing people were praying for me and the Holy Spirit was doing His part because all I could muster was, “Lord, let this work.” Perhaps it was the anesthesia; usually I am so much more eloquent. Just ask me. 🙂

Today I am wondering about that prayer. I’m a person who believes God hears and answers prayers, though I have no idea how. And He usually answers them in ways that surprise me. That is, not what I asked for but more. Things I couldn’t have known to ask for. As scripture says, “more than we all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20)

I am thinking God chuckled at my prayer and said, “Why don’t you ask me to do something difficult, here.”

So, does the hamstring work? Well, it’s different now. Not quite the same as it used to be. It’s a little longer than the other one and a bit less strong. Sensitive in odd places and insensitive in others. But, it’s not about how it feels; it’s about whether it works. That was the prayer. You be the judge:

The funny thing is, not only can I walk again. And run, and bend and hop and jump and ski. But, in the time I was waiting for God to mend my hamstring, God was doing other things. Like starting me blogging @”On the Way to Well” to keep friends and family apprised of my doings. God taught me:

• to sit still and watch the birds
• to see my front porch as a window on the world
• to appreciate my family who cared for me
• and friends who came to visit and bring gifts of food and flowers and fellowship
• that living hopefully was a much better way to live
• to be grateful for what I had and even more grateful for what lay ahead
• whatever that was

God not only surprised me, but he taught me to expect His surprises.

He assured me that what I was wasn’t what I would be, and this had nothing to do with my work and everything to do with His workings in me.

All this I imagined as one muscle cell at a time was woven lovingly back together by the hand of the Heavenly Seamstress. I guess the question isn’t really “Will it work?” but “What will God make of it?”

And that’s a daily question. Sort of an on-going conversation.

God says, “Close your eyes. Let me surprise you.”