Last night, my dear husband asked me, “Well, are you ready?” — meaning for the 5th shoiulder surgery in 6 years, this one on the right after a hard fall I suffered 10 days after having surgery on the left. I thought about what it means to be ready to go through the long process of shoulder rehab again. And I realized I am at peace. Some days I have felt like losing my mind, but now that the day has come, I am ready. The readiness comes from praying people — friends, acquaintances, even, I hope, some enemies. The readiness comes from the history of our Lord, who has already suffered the deepest afflictions that we may be completely made new in our hearts, and one day in our bodies. The readiness comes from the story of Paul, a man who labored on behalf of the gospel and suffered many afflictions — he said — for the sake of the gospel — so people wouldn’t think he’s just this super-strong saint, but a real guy who had real problems. As we head to the hospital, here are some of the many words I take with me.
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” 2 Corinthians 4:1
“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 about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ’s power may rest on me. “ 2 Corinthians 12:9
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
