Sep
1
2020
Farther To Fall
Posted in Repentance 6 Comments
I know the steps I take in my house.
I can see in the dark because I know where everything is placed.
I know that there are fourteen steps until I reach the top or the bottom.
I know how to walk in my bedroom at night without turning on a light.
My husband says I have cat eyes.
Cats have an incredible ability to see in the dark.
They have a high number or rods in their retina that are sensitive to dim light.
I learned that cats need only one-sixth the amount of light that we need.
My son, daughter-in-love, and my granddaughter were home for the weekend.
It is good for us because we get to see our granddaughter for an extended time.
It is good for them because they can have some time alone.
It is nice to go out on a date and know that their sweet daughter is taken care of.
The weather changed this past weekend.
The air conditioner, that has been on for most of the summer, was turned off.
The windows were opened.
The smell of fresh air permeated every room.
I walked into the bedroom above our garage where my son and daughter-in-love were staying.
Those windows had not been opened yet.
Since they were outside, I thought I would open them.
I could see that all three of them were on the driveway.
As I opened the window, my son looked up.
I called to my granddaughter.
She heard my voice and was so excited.
She couldn’t figure out from which direction my voice was coming.
Look up at Grandma, my son said pointing towards the window.
She just could not seem to find me.
After calling her name a few times, I turned to leave the window.
I know this room; I know where everything is placed.
Except not this time.
There was an extra cord from the small fan that was on the old table that serves as a desk.
I know that they both like white noise when they sleep.
I forgot about the placement of the fan.
My foot got tangled in the cord as I turned around.
I fell hard on my right knee.
It was the silliest thing to have done.
But it happened.
I could feel my knee swelling.
It was so tender.
This room is one step down from the upstairs hallway.
That one step up was not fun to take.
Each of the fourteen steps to go downstairs were taken very slow.
No one knew that this happened.
I got downstairs and put ice on my knee right away.
My husband was concerned and annoyed at himself for not hearing me fall.
The three of them came inside.
My daughter-in-love, who is a nurse, looked at my knee.
Oh, Mom, she said as she touched it in different places, It’s just badly bruised.
My son was looking over her shoulder with a concerned look.
Elevate it, Mama, he said.
And my daughter-in-love agreed.
I was already in my favorite leather recliner.
That was an easy suggestion to follow.
After hearing how it happened, they both said they were sorry about the cord.
It’s not your fault, I said, It wasn’t anybody’s fault.
It just happened, I said.
I will be fine.
And I will be.
Already, one day later, the swelling is going down.
Now in its place, my knee is turning a lovely shade of purple.
My summer dresses will look so fashionable with the purple hue on my knee.
I watch my granddaughter walk around the house.
She is now fifteen months old.
She walks and runs quite well.
However, like any toddler, falls are to be expected.
I watch her fall in the kitchen.
She picks herself up and starts walking again.
She is no worse for wear.
I thought of the old song, I sang to my children when they had a little fall.
Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.
I pondered when a fall becomes something to consider more seriously.
Toddler falls are bound to happen.
Falls when children play sports are expected.
However, the older we get, the more care we must take when and if we fall.
Perhaps height is a factor.
Children are closer to the ground.
Taller people are farther away from the ground.
The taller you are, the farther you fall.
…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
We all stumble and fall.
However, one type of fall does not depend on our height.
We fall short concerning what God expects of us.
We fall short when we sin; when we want our will over God’s will.
Height has nothing to do with it.
Sin’s consequences bruise us and hurt us in so many ways.
Our sin can only be dealt with by coming to our sinless Savior for forgiveness.
Trusting in Jesus alone, saves us from our sin.
I fall short every day.
You fall short every day.
Our sin batters and bruises us and those around us.
But we have a Healer, a Savior, a Lord who is God’s Son, Jesus.
I thought about falling short.
I thought about the promise we have in Christ.
God provides a Way.
That Way is a Person.
…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:23,24)
Justified.
There is a simple, child’s definition of that word.
Just as if I never sinned.
Just as if I had never fallen.
I fell.
I have the bruise and swollen knee to prove it.
In Jesus, my fallen-ness, is healed when I come to Him in repentance.
My sins are forgiven.
Come to Him, with your sinful bruises today.
Everyone falls short of the glory of God.
Everyone.
Everyone except Jesus.
Praying nothing serious with the knee. Love how you take everyday happenings and make a story praising God.Prayer for Roger Pritchett in Chester County Hospital. A praise I got to see and visit with Simone yesterday. She looks great but she still needs prayers for her hip.
Barb,
I’m fine; it is just a bad bruise.
Minimal swelling but still such a lovely shade of greenish purple!
I have prayed and will pray for our friends.
Miss you.
Gina
Love your word pictures and how clearly you describe the gospel. We can never hear it enough
Thank you, Paula.
How right you are!
We need to preach the Gospel to ourselves everyday.
And share the Gospel with others, too!
Gina
Amen!
And Amen!
Thank you, Janna!
Gina