I am finding that one of the side effects of turning forty is that things on your body start needing more maintenance and attention. Case in point, I have somehow developed lateral epicondylitis or “tennis elbow” in my right forearm this year even though I haven’t played tennis in years. Apparently it’s just a chronic overuse injury. I will blame it on years of toting heavy carseats, playing driveway badminton, and walking a wild, squirrel-chasing dog.
Tennis elbow is only a minor ailment, and I can follow the doctor’s orders to wear a little brace on my arm to alleviate some strain. But, I’m having a hard time not using my right arm to give the affected muscles time to heal. I have new appreciation for the term “right-hand man.” I’m totally dependent on that right arm: to drive, to drink coffee, to do laundry, to dry my hair, to carry groceries, and to do life in general.
In an act of impatient rebellion I decided to trim the bushes on the back side of our porch with a hedge trimmer earlier this week. I’m not great with power tools, but the hedge trimmer is fun and makes me feel like I’m really accomplishing something in the yard. So, I spent thirty minutes or so wielding it like a ninja with a sword the other day. It wasn’t until I cleaned everything up and came back in the house that I noticed my right arm felt like Jello. It turns out, a vibrating hedge trimmer is not good therapy for an ailing tendon.
It’s been a few days now, and my arm is still shaky when I try to use it. It’s half funny, half sad, and wholly ridiculous. But my shaky right forearm is something of a metaphor for the way I feel at this time of year. I can think of several reasons to be a little anxious as we buckle up for May and a rapid acceleration to the finish line of another school year. Between all the emails, special events, changes, and expectations, it’s basically a recipe for a meltdown.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how important it is for us as Christians to be forthcoming about our weaknesses. I’m starting to really believe the world needs to see more honesty from us about our battles. I don’t mean we need to broadcast our dirty laundry, but I do mean we need to extend our shaky hands and our weak arms more often. Our transparency and empathy might go further to encourage someone than a clever meme or a well-scripted response ever will. Instead of pointing those who are struggling with their weaknesses to our platforms and our solutions, maybe we would do better to show them something of our own desperation for something or someOne who is unshakable.
The hand of God is often described in the Bible is as a “mighty hand.” No unsteadiness, no weakness. Mighty. But just this week I discovered two new verses I love about God’s right hand since that’s the side of my body that is particularly weak right now.
You have given me your shield of victory.
Your right hand supports me;
Your help has made me great.
~ Psalm 18:35
For I hold you by your right hand—
I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you,
‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.
~ Isaiah 41:13
I had to do some research to understand the significance of God’s right hand. Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology says: “The hand of God, and especially the right hand, is understood as a place of salvation, refuge, and protection.”
I love my left-handed 7-year-old and my left-handed friends. But in the spiritual realm, in or around God’s right hand is where you want to be.
I don’t know what the month of May looks like for you. Maybe it’s insanity. It might be four long weeks with too much activity and too little margin. Maybe it’s fun. Full of graduations, showers, beach trips, and celebrations. Or maybe it’s a month of transitions you dread. A month of grieving. A month of new normals you didn’t see coming. Maybe it’s lonely. Maybe it’s lovely. Maybe it’s ordinary.
Whatever the case, it can still be a month that we hand over to God. A month where we lean more into His strength than our own. A month where we take our own eager hands off the hedge trimmer and say, “I’m a little shaky, weak, and worn out, but I know it to be true…
Your right hand supports me. Your help has made me great.
May it be so in May.
God is right there with you. H will see you through this bump in the road, and i’m praying it will be history soon. i know I take a lot for granted. i know He cares, and you will feel that love and concern. I have a 334 page book entitled “God’s Promises For Your Every Need.” And there’s nothing in the index, about Suffering, so, years ago, I wrote a whole page on SUFFERING, that I researched. ” Suffering does not mean that God has abandoned you! At times believers may actually suffer more than unbelievers because those who follow God sometimes become Satan’s targets. Believers, therefore may have to endure hardship, persecution or testing. (Job in case) We must be prepared for Satan’s attacks. When we suffer we must not conclude that God has abandoned us. He did not abandon Job, and “consistent faith” is the way to defeat Satan.
“Praise is based on our acceptance of the present as part of God’s perfect, loving will for us! The prayer of Praise releases more of God’s power than any other form of petition.” (This quote from Merlin Carothers). I have his book, if you want to read it! I Thess. 5:16-18 . check out that verse!
Love, Reba