This last week was rough. I moved a couple things (with help, of course) but my body ended up giving me a stern reprimand afterward. Hey, that was a big day, you did a lot of stuff! Aaaand now we’re going to need to sleep the next 13 hours!

That was a pretty heavy piece of furniture you picked up there, bet you’re proud of yourself for being so productive huh? Well, better cancel your plans for the next week or so because your back has decided to take the next week off. That’s not convenient? Too bad. Oh you have a lot of stuff going on? You’re in the middle of time crunch because family is coming in and you have work to do and don’t have time for this?

Well bless your little ole heart.

Again, too bad.

Request to extend momentum of productivity has been denied. The back wins!

Time off for everyone!

Days like this make me wish we could schedule problems. We’re going to have back problems? At the end of August? Oh no, that’s not a convenient time for me, can we push it to the end of September? Or the beginning of January, when everyone’s on a break anyway?! I’ll gladly lay around and do nothing for a week then!

If only.

After several days of bed rest, two doctor visits, a trip to the chiropractor, and an especially *fun* moment where friends had to literally lift and carry me to their vehicle just to get me to a doctor’s appointment because I was standing frozen on crutches in the driveway…

I think I can say I’m on the mend.

At the end of a long hard week, I’m pausing to see the beauty and grace that seeped in and surprised me:

Flowers from not one, not two, but FOUR different friends. I love flowers! I’m certain they’re a love language God is quite fluent in.

A sweet mom dropped off dinner for our family one evening. (if you’re a mom of littles, you know what an accomplishment this is!)

People prayed for me – over the phone, in person, at a happenstance meeting at the chiropractor – and it was beautiful to hear their care and concern embodied in those prayers .

One friend checked in to ask if they could do anything for me and I replied to say:

If Koda (and any other siblings) want to choreograph an original dance routine for my joy and entertainment, they’re welcome to do that.

Surprisingly, I got my wish! A choreographed dance video that made me laugh out loud because I didn’t know they would take my ridiculous request seriously and who wouldn’t want to receive an encouraging video from such handsome fellows?

Pain has a way of obscuring every other thought. It’s a tunnel vision of sorts, where every thought and intent is narrowly focused into getting through the next moment, the next breath. It’s so easy to feel frustrated when you don’t know how long it will last. But the thing I’m learning? There’s beauty in the middle places, because that’s where God’s grace pierces through and reminds us – we are not alone.

So to my sweet friends who texted and called and prayed and showed up this last week, thank you so much. You’ve embodied the beauty of a God who is near.

My heart is full.