The Blessing of Bursitis

Sadly, the pain in my elbow is not subsiding a whole lot, preventing normal activity like vacuuming and dusting (well.... normal for some people....). I am unable to wipe down counters, make beds, sweep the sidewalk, or even fold clothes. I can't clean pots or even unload the dishwasher without pain. Many have suggested I go to the doctor, but why ruin this good thing I have going? Besides that, I am pretty sure it is bursitis and one of the treatment choices is cortisone shots in the elbow. NO thankyou!!! That is almost as horrible sounding as the suggestion a couple of months back that they drill a hole in my toenail to relieve the pain.

Besides, I can surprisingly ride my bike without pain. So on this glorious weekend of low 70's and sunshine and returning bluebirds, I rode my bike to the mall to try to find clothes for Asherel who is growing out of everything she owns. You all may recall the posts about trying to find her a dress to wear to her cousin's wedding. Now you understand why I left her home and went alone to find her clothes.

I did bring her with me last week, envisioning a day of fun and bonding, lunch out excitedly chattering about the lovely new clothes we got all on sale. Instead, by the end of the trip we were not speaking to each other, had not bought a single thing despite 7 hours of shopping, and her list of things no one in their right mind would wear had now expanded far far beyond nothing pink and frilly. Now her list includes:
1. anything too fancy, 2. purple, pink, lime green, white, black, khaki, 3. no lace, no ties, no ornaments, no sparkles, no cutesy logos, 4. no waist high pants, no pants too low, 5. too many pockets, too few pockets, 6. no shiny material, no patterns, no stripes, 7. no short shorts, no long shorts, ewwww, not those shorts either.....

So I went alone, though she called after me as I pedaled away, "Remember, don't buy anything you like or old-persony!!"

And I bicycled in blissful peace, as the pollen collected in all my air passages. I tested my ability to brake using the bursitis arm and it seems to be the one thing I can do that doesn't hurt. This is the very best type of chronic disability to have. Housework all hurts, but bicycling not only doesn't hurt, but is probably therapeutic.

As I bought a pile of hopeful clothes for Asherel the cashier asked if I found everything I was looking for.
"Well no, I still have the feeling world peace is not attainable in our lifetime, and the poor we will always have with us, and I long for all my loved ones to know and love Jesus, and I still haven't cured diabetes, cancer, or heartbreak."
"I meant in your choice of clothes?"
"Oh, well, I hope so, but to tell you the truth, I sincerely doubt it. It is for a 12 year old."
"Oh that is a gruesome age!" she bemoaned. She added extra return stickers.

And then I biked home. I prayed that God would see fit to allow me to be able to bike til the day I drop dead. All the troubles of the world seem to be whipped away on the wind when I am on my bicycle, at least til I stop pedaling. Asherel did like one of the shirts, and one she refused to even try on.... but it is ok. It gives me an excuse to bike back tomorrow to return it all.

Isaiah 61:10
I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,