We went different ways, my dog Chester and I, and so did my elbow. He charged, I fell, the elbow dislocated, and I could feel a hollow space at the joint where something was missing.
And so the real dislocation this past week (yes, it has been a week ago that I was in the ER) has been the disruption to the ordinary routine. I have been forced to stay home most of the time, and have missed much: worship, Bible study, meetings, hospital visits, home visits, etc. My whole work has been dislocated. My body has been here in my upper room instead of in the office and traveling in the car to places I’m expected to be.
Friends picked me and my relocated elbow up for coffee conversation a few days after the accident. They teasingly reminded me that I had been longing for some time to get some reading done. They were right.
I’ve read “The Solace of Fierce Landscape” by Belden. I’ve started a slow, meditative journey through “Unbinding the Gospel” by Reese. I’ve delighted in the first chapters of “The Manger Is Empty” by Wangarin. I’ve written a poem, then discovered its meaning. I found a few new blogger friends, ate breakfast with Missouri friends, ate lunch with a best friend and ate dinner with dear former colleagues in a job we loved.
But mostly, being dislocated from the routine, I’ve had some quiet, listening time with my best Friend. And I think that he has been trying to communicate much about the congregation where I serve, much about what he is calling me to do. I just haven’t had time to listen. Thus, the hollow space in my elbow has made an open space in my listening, and the dislocation has given space for possibly one of the most productive weeks of the year.
I am grateful, and I am healing, but does God have to be quite so dramatic?
Daisy says
🙂 He’s gotta do what He’s gotta do to get our attention I guess. But that must have hurt. Ouch! (Didn’t Jacob end up with a dislocated hip?)
Hope you’re feeling better.
Mich
Elaine Dent says
You are so right, Mich. Wait until I tell my bible discussion group what you just pointed out. We studied Jacob a month ago…the dislocation thing went right by me.
VenDr says
You write very well. A little bit like Annie Dillard. And I particularly like the dogwoods poem. Thanks.
Elaine Dent says
Annie Dillard? Now that’s inspiration! But so are your posts that challenge me to prayerful, spiritual leadership. Thanks.
Tera Dent says
I’m continually amazed at how God works in our lives. I feel like my life is so busy that I am more often than not, unable to hear the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. Thanks for the reminder to make room to listen.