Not only is Precipice Peak a jewel in God’s creation, but the ability to see this peak from this viewpoint (14,309 feet!) is one of the biggest blessings in my life, and that blessing is helping me see other tremendous blessings as well. Five years ago this November, a dime-sized bone chip was surgically removed from my sciatic nerve. We don’t know how it got there, only that it rendered me unable to walk within five days of making contact with the nerve. My optional surgery wasn’t truly optional if I wanted to continue to function in this world.
The neurosurgeon said nerve damage can take up to seven years to heal. IF it heals. There are no promises. He said I probably would not be able to wear a fanny pack, and I might not ever be able to wear a backpack again.
Now, nearly five years later, I’m finally beginning to return to normal (keeping in mind normal is a setting on a washing machine and not a standard humans should endeavor to emulate). I’m rarely entirely pain-free, and I can’t wear a belt, panty hose or jeans with fixed waistbands, but I CAN carry my own pack, and I can finish the miles in the MS-150 and climb 14,000-foot peaks.
Last Saturday, we had to boogie down Uncompahgre to avoid storms produced by lightning-fast cloud buildup (pun intended). Two years ago, I would not have been able to return to our car safely in time. As we reached treeline, The Lizard quipped, “You’re doing so well today! You’re not waddling!”
Not waddling is God’s fingerprint on my soul. Being able to continue working toward recovery, even when progress seemed bleak and discouragement was a constant companion, is a fingerprint. The Lizard lovingly and patiently tolerating two years of carrying all his own gear plus mine and two more years of me tearfully whimpering, “I can’t go any further” is God’s fingerprint. Being able to live in such a beautiful place and share what I see is the Master’s fingerprint.
I am ever grateful He has afforded me the opportunity to experience all this.
See instructions to join in PamperingBeki’s Fingerprint Friday here. Also check other blogs linked there to see more great Fingerprints!
What a wonderful fingerprint. Beautiful picture and beautiful story. So happy you are getting better. The real fingerprint is how you took something so frightening and used it for good.
ReplyDeleteHappy Fingerprint Friday.
Thanks for coming by my blog. Wow. Sounds like you have a tremendous story as well. I continue to live in daily debilitating pain, so I can somewhat sympathize. Our stories I am sure are different, but you know a physical struggle.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing and may God continue to heal and bless your life.
What a wonderful story! The picture is beautiful too...and you have a wonderful Fingerprint to share! Thanks for sharing:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a challenging journey! You demonstrate climbing mountains, physically as well as spiritually. It is God's Fingerprint that you find so many things to be thankful for when you could just complain. May God bless you with continued healing.
ReplyDeleteI love to hear real-struggle til you get there-life stories like yours! You didn't let a doctors diagnosis slow you down and it was a hard hill to climb (in your case MOUNTAIN), but you did it! You are an important fingerprint of God! You might not realize it, but by sharing your story, you HAVE helped other people look within themselves and achieve goals :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely Fingerprint story! It's wonderful to hear how you have progressed after what you've been through. You are truly inspirational and I wish you continued success!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to beat the odds (I love it when doctors are proven wrong in that manner) and continue to share with us your stories and photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic testimony to God's faithfulness! Many times people think that when they're not healed on the spot, then He must not be healing them... but that's just not true! His timing is not our timing.
ReplyDeleteAnd this is a fantastic shot - so glad you could climb to take it!!
The scenery is beautiful. Reminds me of my own country. May God bless you as you continue your walk with Him--closer and closer.
ReplyDeleteThis made me tear up. Thank you so much for the great reminder!
ReplyDeleteAnd good for you for not waddling. :)