way back

There’s nothing like a blow to the head to cure a case of writer’s block. Sunday a simple bike ride along the path of the Harpeth River turned into a near death experience. 

As I napped in and out on the couch, Joshua interrupted me and asked if I would like to go on a bike ride with he and his daddy. Ok, I sleepily agreed. 

Forty minutes later (the bikes needed some repair), we zipped in and out of trees and roots along the river near our neighborhood. I fell once as I underestimated a steep incline. My feet touched down just in time to be overpowered by the bike in backward motion. My confidence dipped just a notch. 

Later I heard Joshua holler, “Look out for this curve!” 

I saw the curve. I prepared for the curve. I underestimated the curve. In a nanosecond I went over the handle bars as my front wheel left the path for a steep riverbank covered in weeds. Joshua called out: “Are you ok?”

“No, I think I’ve broken my neck.” I assessed the damages mentally. I may have broken my wrist. I think I heard my neck pop. I hit the fool out of my head. 

Then behind me I heard a loud rustling of weeds. A snake! With lightening speed, I climbed the vertical river bank. Matt and Joshua helped me over the edge gasping with laughter. 

I sat down on the dirt path only to realize my skin was on fire. The weeds had peppered me with toxins and my arms and legs bubbled up with red splotches. 

“I’m going for the river!” I shouted. 

Matt yelled, “Are you crazy?” 

“I’m on fire!” I answered. I waded out like I expected to be baptized. The waters of salvation quieted my burning skin a little. All along my arms and legs rivers of bubbles continued to form by the second. 

Matt left in a blur headed to get the car. Finally, I waded out delivered from the deadly weeds. At home I took two Benedryl and through a haze I lead our youngest boys in a celebration of Father’s Day.

Believe it or not, my body shows hardly any repercussions of the accident. I do, however, have something to write about. For six weeks, I have been quiet. Frankly, May ate my lunch. Anybody? I have been wanting to dive back in the blog but haven’t had words. I’m thankful that this little forray on Sunday provided me a way back.

I haven’t felt like myself. I have been struggling. I have felt unmoored. Friends, prayer, help from others, a blow to the head: these things have helped me find my way back. As I have floundered around, I have found it difficult to trust. This morning this verse reminds me why I trust.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11.

I am held. I am wanted. I am loved. I am a child of the King.

Comments

[gigi]

By the way, Matt's medical advise needs to be published. "If you think you have a concussion, you don't."