When desire is met by grace. Coming home.
Thursday, February 21, 2008 at 8:44AM Yesterday I posted about my frustration and disappointment at having to remain in hospital for a while longer due to an infection. Well God heard my prayers and understood my heart's desire to be home with Megie, Courtney, and Liam! When the orthopedic surgeon and the physician conferred on my blood tests they were happy to say that the antibiotics had taken their intended effect and so I was cleared to come HOME!
Some may say that it was science that made this possible, others may say that it was God's healing grace. I think they're spot on! It is a mistake of dualism to think that science and faith are mutually exclusive! In its most extreme forms one finds religious deformities such as those the Christian Scientologists (Tom Cruise's lot) or the Jehovah's Witnesses. On the science side aberrations include the treatment of illnesses instead of people (as if a leg can be made whole without caring for the person who's leg one is treating). In all instances of such dualism the mistake is to think that 'cure' is the same as 'wholeness' (healing). One can be physically well and still not be whole! I encounter many such people! Conversely one could be quite sick, or have a severe handicap, and be 'whole' - at peace, filled with joy, blessing, and true life.
Well, coming home for me is an integrated experience. It takes BOTH science and faith to bring wholeness, and I experienced both in hospital - there my body and its needs were acutely understood and cared for, yet at the same time I encountered many persons who encouraged my spirit and uplifted my heart (both from the patient and loving care from the staff for me as a person, and among patients in the ward who faced far greater challenges with courage, grace, understanding).
At home I will also experience physical care and loving support - at this point it is the latter that I long for! I feel a sense of wholeness when I am with my wife and children. Their love lifts me out of my selfish pity, they offer me a perspective that is far beyond my current situation and my physical state.
It is great t be among people that I love surrounded by familiar things. My recovery progressed by a further step the instant I arrived home.
This is not only a meeting of faith and science, it is also a meeting of desire and grace! Oh boy, I can't tell you how hard I prayed t b able to come home, and I can hardly express how grateful I am for the God who created both science and faith! God has blessed me even more than I could imagine (Eph 3v20).
Now that I am home I need to start sorting out my insurance claims... I haven't had the courage to look at my Vespa yet. Paul Ooshuizen who got it home for me tells me it is not too bad (but also not too good... We'll see!) My laptop, however, is completely wrecked! The screen is smashed, the casing is bent (I mean BENT!), the optical drive no longer works... BUT in true Apple form it surprised me. I plugged in an external monitor, a keyboard and mouse, and viola, she booted up and ran! So I have saved all my personal data and will take it in to Apple today to start the insurance claim process.
Well, thanks once again for all the prayers and messages of love and support - it means so much! I will be on sick leave for a few weeks as I figure out new ways of being mobile.
Technorati tags: broken leg, pain, motorcycle accident, Vespa, home
Reader Comments (6)
Oh man i didn't realise you went down.
My sincere condolences for your bike, and wishes for a speedy recovery!!!!!!!
I also *blush* did not realise you were a BIKER! Although having vespa under your profile should have been a clue.
I have a couple of cool bike related links on my blog, and i'm part of think bike, please shout if we can help in ANY way at all.
Peace
Enjoy being ast home - and do not give in to the work-ethic that is imbedded in your theological bones.
Glad to hear you are home!!
Hi Abraxas,
Thanks so much for your care and the offer of help. In fact other than the Vespa I also own a BMW 650 GS (which I have had for a year and bit). It is a very stable, comfortable, and economical. I use it (used to use it) for longer trips and traffic between JHB and PTA. I have checked out your page many times! In fact I saw some pictures of a guy taking a serious wipeout just last week...
Petie,
Indeed, I agree. I do need some time to rest and recover. However, I am filled with such guilt.... I only have 5 weeks left before the big move (38 days to be exact), and I am booked off work for 6 weeks... I shall have to go back in about two weeks or so. There is a lot that needs doing.
John and Charlene,
Thanks guys! I am so pleased to be home (where I belong!!!) See you guys on Saturday!
Blessings and thanks to all,
Dion
So glad that you are home! I hope you take things S-L-O-W-L-Y Dion, so that you can heal even quicker. I'm also delighted to hear that your beloved Vespa might be able to "hit" the road again. Here's hoping....
May this be the start of your Best week-end yet!
Love & blessings Janet
Great to be home is it not? Just an update on my daughter - She waas taken up in hospital with depression and is doing better. She could not slep at all at home and need some separation from Riley(the baby of 8 weeks) just to get over the worst. Healing has come in several forms for her amd I am thankful to God for answered prayers. Get well soon buddy. He that made us strengthens us.