An escape from hurricane Lee for us, thanks be to God, though we could use the rain. What else did I escape?
To escape misfortune
Two days before Christmas last year, I hit a deer. My son and I were traveling along a dark stretch of road no more than three minutes from home. Suddenly, a large deer leaped across the road in front of our brand-new Subaru. I’d glimpsed the animal in my left peripheral vision and hit the brake but not in time to avoid collision. Plastic from the grill flew into the air, and the deer disappeared.
Though my left headlight was askew, I was able to drive home. Misfortunes happen; we can’t escape all of them. But I’m glad this one was not as bad as it could have been.
Still, I have questions. Could I have avoided the deer? Am I losing reaction time?
To escape mistakes
I can’t find my old backup sunglasses. They’re around here somewhere, but where? I usually keep them in my desk drawer or by the leashes on top of the dog crate, since I wear that pair when I walk the dogs. But in my distraction last week—my mind and dogs whirling—I must have broken pattern. Did I lay them down somewhere or prop them on my head while weeding in the yard, and they fell off without my notice?
I make mistakes and sometimes misplace things, but this troubles me. Am I losing my mind?
To escape aging
I’ve had arthritis in my hands for nearly thirty years, starting with the middle joint of my right-hand pinky finger and now impacting almost all of my fingers. For those so afflicted, there are treatments, but there is no escape once you have this condition. Though sometimes uncomfortable, over the years, I’ve been able to compensate for lessening hand strength and movement in my fingers. But impacts have been increasing.
Squeaks and squawks escape my flute mostly due to mistakes on my part. Now mistakes include the misfortune of arthritis. Periodically over the past two years, the middle joint of my ring finger has become inflamed. Steroid shots help reduce the swelling but cannot stop misshaping, as in the middle picture above.
Now my ring finger is having trouble reaching the in-line G key on my college flute (left picture). And the swollen joint catches the A key on my new flute with the dropped G (right picture). Will the steroid shots continue to help? Joint replacement is both a possibility and a gamble, because there’s no guarantee I’d regain the range of motion necessary to play.
So, I ask myself, how long until I’m confined by the challenges of aging?
To escape confinement
There is no escape from the confinements of age. But that doesn’t mean I have to complain about it. I can choose joy. If I can’t play flute or drive or weed or walk the dogs anymore, I know there are other ways to proclaim the Gospel and serve the Lord. In this world, faith is the only way to escape and be free of misfortune, mistakes, aging, and confinement.
Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians while in prison. And yet, his joy knew no confinement.
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:4-8
Linkup with Five Minute Friday: https://fiveminutefriday.com/2023/09/14/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-escape/
C.D., I’m happy for those things you’ve escaped. And I know you will do what you need so you’re not confined, even in the difficult situations, you’re choosing joy, as Paul. Carole, I play the flute. It’s been years since I picked it up. I understand the arthritis. For some reason, I’m having issues in my hands, “trigger thumb” and joints. My mom, like you, suffers from that and has for years. She still tries to play the piano when she can. The deer are very hard to steer away from~I know our reaction times can diminish with age, but they come out of nowhere! It’s so good to “see” you. Your writing and life always provides wisdom, hope, and the truth in a life with Christ! 🙏🏻❤️
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement, Karla! I’m praying that you endure your suffering, like Paul, and be blessed with recovery.
Love, Carole
It’s my blessing, Carole. I always love reading your words when I’m able! Your prayers mean so much~yes, to be as Paul. I know that without Christ, I wouldn’t be here. They’re so many miracles and events ahead. I appreciate you so much! God bless you! I pray for you, too. Love, Karla
Your words are much appreciated.
💛
Great article! Age comes to us all, but maybe has us looking ever so more forward to our new buddy?? Thank you, Lord, for that promise!
Thank you for your comment, Ann. Yes, indeed, we are enormously blessed with that promise! -C.D.
My life verse I chose after college and going into the ministry. Phil. 1:6
A good one, and fitting. Love you, Carole
Carole, I took arthritis (osteoarthritis) medications for years, until I went on a plant-based, whole foods lifestyle (no beef, chicken, fish, dairy, or added oil) to help treat pulmonary hypertension. In addition to greatly improving that, much to my surprise the pain and inflammation of arthritis disappeared also, within just a month or so. That was 2015 and I have not needed those medicines since that time! Read the following and see if you think it might help you. https://www.forksoverknives.com/health-topics/diet-and-arthritis/ Blessings, Bette
Thank you for the reference, Bette!
We always need to seek out the joy that is in our circumstances don’t we? It’s part of how we show our trust in God and his purposes in our lives. FMF15
Amen and Amen! Thank you for your comment! -C.D.
Carole, your reflection on the challenges of aging and the inevitability of life’s trials is both poignant and inspiring. It’s a reminder that while we cannot escape certain aspects of life, our perspective and faith can carry us through. The connection you draw between personal struggles and Paul’s joy in Philippians is a beautiful testament to the power of faith. Thank you for sharing your journey and encouraging others to find joy amidst challenges.
Dear Peggy,
Thank you for reading my post and for your encouraging words.
God bless you!
-C.D.
“His joy knew no confinement.” Amen. This is what I want!
I have had some training in natural health and much research points to diet being key in inflammation and arthritic conditions. There was a doctor who had success in complete reversal of arthritis in his patients by changing their diet and doing enemas for colon cleansing. The women on my mother’s side have had debilitating arthritis and so it is information I have tucked away. I am very intentional about how I eat differently than the way my mother fed me.
Thank you for your thoughts!
Always good to hear from you, Linda. We do our best to live a healthy life.
Carole, I always appreciate your outlook about life. As I step closer to another birthday in the coming year, I notice certain things that require me to slow down. I understand that my physical endurance and strength isn’t what it was five years ago. Yet, I still doggedly stick to my stationary bike riding. I may pedal a bit slower, but I still exercise with a positive attitude.
Good for you, Richard. Press on toward the goal!