It's not easy. Some may think it easy to walk the "lazy river" at the waterpark. Bless their hearts and ability. To me it is a feat. It is a marathon. It is an accomplishment. Yesterday, I was able to walk around it several times. Oddly, it is easier for me to walk with the resistance of water than to walk the mall with no resistance. Less pain. Though I walk each slowly, the water-walk doesn't hurt my hips as much as the concrete walk does. Afterwards, I get out of the water and it feels like tons of pressure on my legs.
My granddaughters are patient with me. I am so grateful. My joy is watching them float in front of me. It's counting seconds to see how long they can hold their breath. It's watching them turn somersaults in the water. They know that we go to the waterpark to have fun in the sun and water. But they also know that Grama can only walk in the water. I cannot get in and out of the huge oversized tubes and float like other people. I can't go on the slides and giggle gleefully as we slither down slides and slip into the water. I have to be careful how I bend and move to avoid back injury. I can't get into the wave-pool because the waves cause me to struggle to stand. The struggle knocks my back out of whack. They understand. Kids are like that.
However, because I can walk, and can get into the water, sometimes they forget how hard it is for me. I can't pick them up or let them ride on my back like last year. I can't move as quickly. I am constantly thinking about how I move as I focus on how far they are from me in the water. Sometimes they have to stop playing and wait for me to catch up so they are not out of my reach should need help in the water. They don't complain.
It makes me think how fortunate I am to have a heavenly Father who is always able. He is not only able to move quickly, but instantly. He knows which way I am going before I go there. Unlike me, He is not limited by physical constraints or weakness. Just as my grandchildren depend upon me to protect them, I depend upon my Father to protect me and aid me in making choices that guide me in physical caution. My limitations keep me glued to the limitless power and spiritual sufficiency I have in Christ. I am grateful for the grace to write...to laugh...to see my grandchildren enjoy life. I am grateful for the grace to simply walk the lazy-river. It is enough. His grace is sufficient.
Lord, today, I pray for those who struggle with limitations--be they physical, emotional, mental or spiritual. I pray you meet their needs and help them recognize it is You Who gives them the strength, the perseverance, the faith, and grace to conquer the river currents of life. selahV
