Slowing Down

This weekend did not go as I had planned.Yesterday as I was getting my stuff out of my car after work, I twisted my back wrong, which spiraled me into a night of pain and tears. At first I thought I just needed to stretch it out - when that wasn't working, I took some Tylenol and got some ice, only to ultimately end up bawling on the kitchen floor after my dad asked me what was wrong. I hate being in pain. That's probably a silly thing to say, because NO ONE likes being in pain, but I feel like I especially do not handle pain well. I really had no idea what exactly was wrong or what had happened. But I couldn't (and still can't) bend at the hips at all without being in excruciating pain, and I hobble around like an old lady. I spent the rest of the night alternating between an ice pack and a heating pad, hoping that it would provide some relief. No such luck. I woke up this morning thinking I would feel better after a night's rest, but if anything, it was worse. I had to call into work, which I absolutely hate doing, and I waited around all morning until my chiropractor appointment.

Praise God I was able to get into see him, because it turns out that two of the vertebrae in my lower back were out of alignment. (Side note: I usually love driving stick shift, but let me tell you, I hated every minute of driving stick down to the chiropractor's office.) Sometimes I wonder if I really am in as much pain as I think I am, or if I'm just being a baby about it, so it was a relief to know that I wasn't just imagining things, and there was something he could do to fix it. He cracked my back into alignment, and then told me I really needed to come in for a follow up. Which means I'll be missing a class for the first time in my college career on Monday. Rebel student that I am... But I am really happy to know that there's something that can be done to make my back better. And my dad got me an early Valentine's Day present (love him!!) to cheer me up.

I wasn't able to get as much done today as I had planned to. Funny how that works. But in reality, even though it's never convenient to get injured or sick, I think sometimes God allows it to happen so we can take some time to slow down and relax. I feel like I've just been running, running, running for the past 4 weeks, and today I was forced to lay down and rest because I literally couldn't get up and do anything else. I can't say I'm thrilled with being in pain, but at least I was able to get something out of it. Also, I now can empathize much better with anyone who suffers from chronic back pain, like my mom. To all you valiant souls, I don't know how you do it. So, I got to end my day with cookies, white mocha, and Chariots of Fire with my dad. Though I can't say this has been the best day ever, I do think it's one that I'm not going to forget anytime soon.


I'm not telling you this to make you feel sorry for me. I don't want your pity - this could have happened to anyone. If you'd like to say a prayer for me, awesome, I'd really appreciate it. But I just wanted to share a bit of what's going on in my life, in truth. My life is far from perfect, but still, it's the only one I've got.