Make It Your Ambition...

A few days ago at work, I slipped down a bank and fell straight backwards. Standing up, I wondered what had just happened - it all happened so fast! My glasses still lay at the top of the bank so vision was fuzzy. I gathered my wits about me, brushed off the pine needles, and headed back in to work, feeling embarrassed, amused, but fine.

I woke the next morning and showered for work, drove there, and began the day's tasks. As the morning wore on, stiffness set in, which didn't surprise me. Then the sluggishness, then exhaustion. I drove home for lunch but didn't feel like eating once here. As my hour dwindled away, I sat in front of the computer, where I had come to check email, still not looking at email but still sitting.

As quickly as the words on the screen began to sway, so did the nausea arrive. I stood, grabbed the chair for support, and the world stilled for a minute. I went into the den and sat down, closed my eyes, and the world spun again. I called for my sister and told her, "I think I have a concussion" and she sprang into action, calling my manager to tell him I wouldn't be back and that we were heading to the Emergency Room.

I felt 'stilled' or 'steeled'; silent, uncaring, completely non-afraid and for once, not commenting on my sister's driving at all. I was aware that this was unusual, this feeling, yet wasn't alarmed and didn't care.

The hospital wait was minimal and everyone was kind. I felt foolish for taking up space in the ER when others appeared much sicker around me but realized I wasn't foolish for coming when two nurses held out their arms, told me to close my eyes, and walk toward them. The world spun again and thankfully, I felt strong arms support me instantly.

A CAT scan showed no fracture and no brain damage and the verbal diagnosis was 'Simple Concussion' yet when I looked at the discharge papers, they read, 'No Concussion'.

"What caused the sickness and dizziness, then?" I asked.

"You have a concussion!" replied the nurse.

I pointed to the papers and she smiled. "Oh that. It's just a printout for non-descript head injuries."

I hope this explanation is accepted as easily with my manager, but I have my doubts.

Back at home my sister ordered me on bedrest, same as the hospital's orders, only with more authority. I happily climbed into a recliner and pulled a lap blanket over me, remote control nearby. (Dizzy) queen of the world.

The next morning my sister had to go to work, but being a Saturday I was off, thank goodness. My orders were to ignore the dog and NOT MOVE unless absolutely necessary. Apparently the dog had gotten the same orders because she was unusually obedient, rarely asked to go outside, and spent the rest of her time spread across my lap - all 75 pounds of her - napping and preventing me from getting up.

This unexpected time-out caused me to think about things other than ordering supplies, what's for dinner, and whether or not I clocked in (or out). I should slow down, in many ways, and think about the direction my life is headed. Is this where I meant to be going? Is this God's direction for my life?

Thank you, Roxie-girl for being a good sick-companion and restraining officer. Good girl.

1 Thessalonians 4:12 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anyone.