One thing I am learning to like about homeschooling is the flexibility. I do need to cover certain topics and complete a certain number of hours of school, but I am permitted to choose how to accomplish these things.
I have never before appreciated this flexibility as much as I have this week. Last weekend, I performed in a Christmas play at church. Due to my crazy schedule, we completed a lighter load of school work, and I figured that I could put in some extra hours this week instead, before beginning Christmas break on Monday. Well, my "break" came a little earlier (and a little differently) than I had planned.
On Sunday afternoon, after my final performance, we prepared to open Christmas presents with my family, since they had decided to visit for the weekend of the play. As I stepped off of the bottom step in my house, I felt my weak right ankle - the one I sprained this summer - roll under, and I knew instantly that I had sprained it pretty badly again. I stepped down with my left foot to catch myself, and I felt that ankle roll underneath me as well, with a little pop. I fell to the ground, and I reached down to grab my left ankle, realizing immediately that the bones were not all where they belonged and that I had definitely broken it. After my instant panic and yelling, I calmed down enough to make a rational decision about heading to the ER, feeling very grateful that my parents were able to stay with the kids.
I will spare the gory details, but my leg definitely broke, in two different places, and that ankle has enough instability that I need surgery on Monday to repair it. I will be off my feet for many weeks, especially since my "good ankle" is badly sprained as well. Needless to say, this is not the kind of "break" I had been anticipating. However, instead of feeling angry and depressed and sad, I have been overwhelmed with God's blessings.
First, I have been forced to rest and allow other people to serve me, particularly my husband. This has not been easy, but it has allowed me to see the incredible love that he has for me. Instead of whining and complaining, he has taken care of me with compassion and kindness, even though that means taking care of everything I need, including helping me bathe and getting up in the middle of the night to help me to the bathroom.
I have also seen the amazing, selfless love poured out by my church family. People bring meals to eat and meals to freeze for later. They return library books, pick up groceries, and play with my kids. One person found me a wheelchair to use for a while. Another person is bringing movies and paper plates. Someone I didn't even know by name wrote down my phone number and plans to come over and do laundry after my surgery! God is showing me how the body of Christ is supposed to function and is inspiring me to pour out the same blessings on others.
Finally, I have confidence that my accident, my "unexpected break," did not surprise God at all. He knew about it and even worked circumstances together to make it as smooth as possible - my parents were visiting for a few days, the play was over, I had already decorated the house completely... Even small details have worked out in ways I never expected. Because of this, I have quite a bit of peace about my upcoming surgery and recovery, even though I know it will not be easy. If God planned everything else so well, then surely I can trust him with those details too.
So, Christmas break in our house has begun a little early, and I don't think the kids feel too disappointed about that. I am actually looking forward to picking back up in January, too, when I am still off my feet and we all have cabin fever. I will be thankful then, as well, for the flexibility of schooling that allows me to teach from the comfort of my sofa, with my leg propped up on pillows, cuddling with my kids as we continue to learn and study. Most of all, though, I am thankful for a God who knows exactly what I need - even if that is an "unexpected break."
