Happy New Year From the Bottom of the Stairwell

My only resolution is to never again descend the stairwell wearing socks without grippy nubs. It happened yesterday. A split second I didn’t see coming, nor did I have any chance to stop the fall once it began. Boom, boom, boom … down the flight of stairs, banging my elbows, slamming my heel, and crashing my right thigh into something. I can’t imagine what it was, but I could not lift my right leg.

Once I landed, my husband called out from the kitchen, “Are you okay?” before turning the corner to find me sitting at the foot of the stairs conducting a mental scan of my body, searching for signs of broken bones. I was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis, a scary condition that threatens fractures at even the slightest of bumps. The medication is horrendous, and it wasn’t more than a week ago that I messaged my doctor telling her I would not be taking it anymore. I’d rather wear a cast than ache body-wide, hiccup every time I take a sip of water, and, excuse the crudeness, let out a shallow belch from the chest cavity after that same sip of water. Sleeplessness has also returned, which is not good for anyone. The overall feeling of un-wellness is not okay at this point in my life.

So, the sudden slip and tumble down the lower flight of stairs yesterday morning may have actually been a blessing in disguise! You see, I trust that everything that happens, even sudden slips and falls, are within the purview of God’s control. I am of the belief that either He allows or He engineers our circumstances, which covers everything (No, this is not pollyanna. Not all circumstances [trials] are good at the moment). Was yesterday’s quick float to the hardwood a meaningful incident? Yes, I think so. Why?

Because nothing is broken. Potential points of fractious impact—left forearm, both elbows, right femur, left heel, and lower backbone … are all intact. Yes, in that moment as I sat there on the hardwood running my mental scan, I asked God to fix me where necessary. My husband also sent out a prayer request to the church team. Yesterday there was pain. Last night, I slept well through nine hours and woke up this morning able to lift my right leg without assistance from my right arm. My left elbow is still tender but working fine. And as long as I don’t step with any pressure on my left heel, I’m good to go. Probably will wait on the elliptical until tomorrow.

Now, all of that to say this:

Happy New Year.

2025 has started out well for me. The way I look at it, the Almighty spoke through a momentous incident to reassure me that He knows my frame, He has knit me together, and He is committed to taking care of me. Even if that means saying no to a medication that is supposed to improve my life but was quickly turning me into a miserable complainer.

Being preoccupied with your own maladies really takes the zip out of living in the Kingdom of God. I say “no” to that. And "yes" to following after Christ into a new year of miraculous possibilities.