One step at a time.

Guess what happened at Physical Therapy today!?!?!?!

I WALKED IN A STRAIGHT LINE…ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF ANOTHER FOOT!!!!

Last time I have been able to do that was right after my surgery…freshman year of high school. Wow. 🙂 It was not fast and I was super wobbly, but I did it! All the practice of standing on one foot and other balance exercises have paid off. It must have looked something like a baby taking the first steps on their own. I was the only one in the room too! Usually the room is full of other patients. But no one saw it: only me, my PTA and God. 🙂

Habakkuk 3:19 says, “The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.” My weak ankles reminds me of another girl with weak ankles: Much Afraid. Have you ever read Hannah Hurnard’s classic work, Hind’s Feet on High Places? Much Afraid is the main character. Although I have never read the original book, I grew up on the junior book aimed for children or teens. I remember her journey…from the Valley of Humiliation to the High Places. Her companions are “Sorrow” and “Suffering.” The journey is hard. But when she makes it to the High Places, the Shepherd is there. Such abounding joy follows. You can read the first chapter here: http://files.tyndale.com/thpdata/FirstChapters/978-0-8423-1394-0.pdf. If you enjoy that then I really recommend the book. I look forward to reading it soon myself!

I find that I can be like Much Afraid: timid, physically challenged (she has weak–and I believe crooked–ankles as well), set out on a hard journey and there are some days where the mind tells the body: “You will never make it.” I have been there. Life is hard. The joy of the celebration of Easter means that my companions do not have to be “Sorrow” and “Suffering”; although Jesus never said that I would NOT have them, but to have hope–because He is greater than these things. Jesus conquered death. I do not need to fear even in spite of them: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 [Italics emphasized].

Much Afraid’s story reminds me of my favorite song. Ever. I know I have said that I have many favorite songs, but this–this is my life song (so to speak). When I was little, I wanted to learn how to play it on the piano and sing it in church. It is by Cindy Morgan called, “I Will Be Free.” Instead of my own explanation, I thought it would be better for you to just read the lyrics. I also found a great video of her playing live, so you can hear the song and read the words at the same time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ySp0gktlN4.

The mountains are steep and the valley’s low

And already I’m weary but I have so far to go

Oh, and sorrow holds my hand and suffering sings me songs

But when I close my eyes I know to whom I belong

And who makes me strong

I will be free, I will be free to run the mountains

I will be free, free to drink from the living fountain

Oh, I’ll never turn back ’cause he awaits for me

Oh, I will be free

A wise man, a rich man in pauper’s clothes

A shepherd to lead us through the land of woes

Though many battles I have lost, so many rivers yet to cross

But my eyes behold the Son who bore my loss and who paid the cost

I will be free, I will be free to run the mountains

I will be free, oh, free to drink from the living fountain

Oh, I’ll never turn back ’cause He awaits for me, oh

Oh, I will be free, oh

Oh and I’ll dance on silver moonlight and I’ll walk through velvet fields

Oh, and I’ll run into the arms, the arms that set me free

Oh, I will be free to run the mountains, I will be free

Free to drink from the living fountain

Oh, I’ll never turn back ’cause He awaits, oh I’ll never turn back

Don’t you ever turn back ‘Cause someday, someday we’re gonna see

That we will be free

[“I Will Be Free.” Cindy Morgan. A Reason to Live. Sony, 1993.]

Have a blessed Easter weekend. I will continue my thoughts on life next week…