The Responsibility of Something Great

I dislocated my knee cap. This is an action that is not recommend. One's knee cap is intended to stay remotely stationary. How, you may ask? Well, it was a combination of killer moves on a trampoline and tennis shoes. My landing was a tad off and, as my body fell right, my knee cap took a sharp left.

At 25, I lay on the trampoline screaming for who else but-- MOMMA! My brave cousin, Kaleb, ran into the house and reported, "Your daughter is hurt BAD." My other cousin, Andrew, continued to jump. I worried at the time if these too little boys were okay. I mean, I, Sarah Jacks, cool, calm and collected, was rolling from side to side screaming for her mother. The last thing I needed was to scar a 5 and 3 year old for life. I got my answer as I saw them on their four-wheeler, riding around the trampoline as if they were circling the wagons. They were fine. It turns out I was more unnerved than they were.

Heather was home. Thank the Lord, Heather was home. She glided on the trampoline - I, of course, was in the middle. And she said those words I was dreading, "Do you want me to put it back in?" Ahhhh...no. Actually, Heather says it was "Pleeaaase, DON'T touch it!" But with little effort is slipped back to its natural residence.

After much rolling and moaning, crying and general freaked-out-ness, I got off the trampoline and into a car to head to the ER. To make a long story short, if it gets better its a sprain, if not, it is torn.

I had planned to do a number of things while Heather was home. Our list included things like reupholstering furniture, organizing my new apartment and getting into whatever we could get our hands on. But plans changed. Instead I found myself in the middle of seeing thankfulness from a much fuller perspective. When you can't get yourself dressed, you learn a thing or two about the one who offers to help you. Heather spent the whole week getting me things, fixing my meals, driving me around, organizing my apartment. She made sure I got done the things I needed to accomplish and made sure to sit with me when exhaustion got the best of me.

I don't deserve to be treated this way. I don't deserve a friendship like the one God has blessed me with. As I watched Heather do for me, I thought "I forgot to send her a birthday card." Something so small, like a birthday card, can help the Holy Spirit drive home His lesson of the week. This precious friend of mine, whom I forgot to send a card, keeps no record of what I deserve. What a blessing to find yourself befriended by one who strives to be like the Father.

Furthermore, I do not deserve the abundant blessings God continues to pour into my life. I have been given so many things. From dislocated knee to humble acceptance of care, thankfulness has revealed the greatness in my life. Being thankful for something includes accepting the responsibility of the blessing. I think we far to often treat our God like Santa Clause. We want presents. We do not understand blessing. I have been given grace, grace that extends forgiveness. Forgiveness by a God, whom I personally offend daily with my sinful nature. I now enjoy the blessing of relationship with Him. I have the opportunity to further my education. I come from a wonderful family. I find myself continually provide for. I live in a great country. I have been called to speak truth into lives when they are hurting. I have things like a great MacBook. I want for nothing and am able to work for the things I have. I enjoy a friendship few find, most seek and some never know exist. I have been blessed, what I do with it is largely up to me....

~Sarah