One of the downsides of turning 50 years old is the mysterious
aches and pains in my body. I am getting
them more often. I was out on my usual
11km desert run on Monday afternoon.
About midway through, there is a small hill that I have to struggle
up. Every time I hit the top, I touch a
large rock that I use as a landmark, then lift my arms and give a victory
yell. Hey, it’s a tough run, and it’s my
way of celebrating.
Monday, I ran up the troublesome hill, panted for air, lifted
my arms and, before I gave my victory yell I felt a sudden, sharp pain in my
left shoulder. My victory yell was more
of a surprised grunt. I injured my arm
by just lifting it? You gotta be kidding
me! Most runners get injured in the
knees and hips. Not the shoulders!
The pain was too intense for me to get much sleep that
night. I went for another shorter run on
Tuesday night, just because I am a creature of habit. Big mistake.
That night, the pain went up the left side of my neck, down my left
shoulder blade and all the way down to my left elbow. Finding a comfortable sleeping position that
night was impossible.
I hesitated going to the doctor because the pain was not
severe enough to incapacitate me.
Besides, I knew what the doctor would say. Just rest the arm, do not strain it, and here
is something to ease the pain. Rosemary
convinced me to at least get it X-rayed to see if something was torn. I went to a doctor that specialized in sports
medicine. I was right. He told me, “Nothing is torn. Just rest the arm, do not strain it, and here
is some good stuff for the pain.” Not a
big deal. The biggest hindrance for me
is getting comfortable sleep. The layoff
from my usual exercise routine is difficult for me, but I was not able to
run. Running hurts.
Well, it did until this morning. I woke up with the same nagging pain in my
shoulder. I took a hot shower. Then, in an instant, the pain vanished. It simply vanished as quickly and
mysteriously as it appeared. I rotated
my arm and turned my shoulder around its full range of motion. Amazing – the pain is gone! Now 10 hours later, the pain has still not
returned. I plan on running again
tomorrow if I remain free from pain.
Back when I was a believing Christian, how many times did I
pray for relief from my headaches, sore backs and common colds? How many times did I take aspirin,
antihistamine and pain killers, and attribute any sign of the drug’s power to
my all-mighty Great Physician? How many
times did I thank God for His miraculous power and healing touch? I did these more times than I can remember.
If I were still a Christian, I know I would have prayed just
as fervently for relief from my strained shoulder. I would have taken any mild relief as
assurance of answered prayer. But a
sudden cessation of all pain as I have experienced just this morning? I would have believed that to have been a
miracle. No doubt about it. I admit that I have no explanation for why my
shoulder is suddenly pain free, just as I have no explanation for why it got
hurt in the first place. But to the
Christian, no explanation is the same as a miraculous explanation. There is no explanation for why this
happened! So Jesus is the only
explanation! Miracles do exist, and I
can prove it! One happened to me just
this morning! I will stand up in church
and testify when the pastor asks for a Praise Report.
Now what do I think as a non-believer? I have no idea, but I called my mom this
morning for Mother’s Day, and I think she had the best answer. “Sudden aches and pains that come and
go? Well, you are 50 years old
now…”
Who needs miracles when you have mom?
2 comments:
:)
So this is what I have to look forward to, eh? I guess it's better than the alternative; I'll take it! All praise be to pain meds. Or maybe Rosemary secretly prayed for your healing? ;)
I've heard growing old(er) isn't for sissies!
No it's not!
Oh, pardon me, responding to the growing old comment by Ruth. LOL!
Had my physical yesterday. As you both know chronic pain is the name of the game for me. It discussing the aging thing I was saying to Doc, one can't really complain about pain now as all my peers are my age or older and they just go "oh I had a headache the other day too." For me, the issue is, I was old in my 20's. Most people just start feeling old around 50. Not me. Started a long time ago. Lucky me.
A pinched nerve perhaps HIS?
Oh and do you run with aspirin in your pouch? Do you know where I'm going with this question?
:-)
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