“As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So my soul pants for you, O God. Psalm 42:1 NIV
I know we’re all familiar with this Psalm. I have read it in prayer and proclaimed it at church with my faith community. It’s a beautiful expression of desire for the Lord
Well, I know that intellectually anyway. In my most private moments with Jesus, I would repeat these words, but be at a loss. How does a deer feel when it pants for water? I live in a house with a very reliable water system. I am blessed to have enough money to buy a soda at the drive-thru if I get even the slightest bit thirsty when out shopping.
What is it like to truly have a desperate thirst for water?
The past weeks have been a revelation to me. Finally, I have a glimpse into the mechanics and spirituality of ‘panting’ for water.
After breaking my right fibula (in spectacular fashion, I am told) I had surgery on 1/7/15. My stay in the fabulous “Che Hinsdale Hospital” didn’t include taking advantage of their shower due to my 3/4 cast and pain level. After two days, I was discharged to home. No weight bearing on my right leg for six weeks.
My husband set up a blow-up mattress on our small pull-out couch on the first floor. It’s near the facilities and it’s a quiet space. Perfect. Just one problem. I am now deathly afraid to climb the stairs to the bathtub. My neighbor lent us their shower chair (thanks Kathy!!), and it was waiting for me in the tub on the second floor. Two more days came and went. My hair was so beaten down, and my head itched. It had been five days since I’d soaped up my scalp. Oh yes my friends, like David’s deer, the pant was on. How can I get to that running stream?
Enter the physical therapist. She came on Sunday and taught me how to scale the stairs backwards on my rear end. Then I practiced pulling myself up on the last stair; hopping a 1/2 turn to face the stairs, and jumping up to the landing with the help of my walker.
Not pretty. But very effective. I made it!
The effort of the exercises she gave me, and negotiating the stairs did me in, so I had one more day of imitating that deer. The next day dawned, and after my husband and I joined hands in prayer, I set out to climb the
Alps
stairs.
Not pretty. But very effective. I made it!
I spent a good long time in that warm water. I felt like a new person when I was done. Oh King David, how I understand your metaphor now. How I had ached for running water, the water that cleanses, freshens and renews.
I’ll never look at getting clean the same way again. I hope it will always remind me of my desire to be cleansed and renewed in my soul too. As the water rushes over me, may I always thank our God who created it, and placed in my heart and soul the pulsing need for it.
Surrounded by the Spirit on Facebook
PS. Thank you to Jean at Healthy Spirituality. Her post on 1/11/15 inspired this entry.
Hi my friend,
I’m so sorry for your pain and discomfort. I will keep you in my prayers. I can relate to some of the physical limitations, and is so hard to go through. Thankful our Comforter is by your side, holding your hand.
Hi Anita! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, you have no idea how much I appreciate them. I know you understand the frustration of limited mobility and pain, and I keep you in my prayers too.
May the Comforter come to us always!
Ceil
Oh Ceil, poor girl! How did you break your tibia in such a spectacular way, by the way? I imagine it was so scary to try those stairs. Glad you got a refreshing shower finally, and the striking new insight into that panting for something concept. Whew, may your bone heal quickly, Ceil.
Re your comment on my post “When Paris, America and Worlds Collide,” thank you. Yes, France, Africa, Syria, and dear loved ones can quickly come to mind for us, huh? Praying for them.
How is your family?
Jennifer Dougan
Hi Jennifer! I broke my little tibia in four pieces, and managed to really impress the trauma surgeon. Of course, I’d rather not impress him that well, but if you’re going to break something, might as well make it impressive, right?
Family is well, thank you for asking. My son and his wife are expecting baby #2 in May. Our first grandson! We hope to get out there to visit when I can get around again.
Blessings to you my friend 🙂
Ceil
Oh Ceil, as you shared your story I felt as if I was there with you, exhausted watching you climb the Alps, oh yes, the stairs. 🙂
That is a beautiful piece of Scripture, and you used it well in your situation.
During this time may your spirit be refreshed as you rest in God during your healing time.
It is times like these that He wants to draw us closer to Himself if we just relax and surrender ourselves up to Him.
Sweet blessings to you,
Debbie
Hi Debbie! Thank you for your encouraging comments. I hope to become more relaxed in my days. I certainly am not going anywhere! I bought a few books, and am starting the habit of Night Prayer. May God come and sing his love songs to me as I heal.
Up the Alps again tomorrow. Pray for me!!
Ceil
Still praying for a quick and full recovery and that your suffering may reduce quickly.
Thank you for another wonderful and meaningful post, Ceil. I’m sure what you wrote here will help many readers, me included.
I have a lot of respect for nurses and doctors. Your post reminded me of my last stay in hospital.
God bless you and your family.
Hi Victor! Thank you for your continued prayers. I had a good night last night, phew! Seems like the nights are the worst 🙁
I remember when you wrote about your hospitalization. Such a shock! We really are at the mercy of nurses and doctors to help us cope.
Congrats on your newest book! I am still working on compiling and editing with a book in mind, due in no small part to your encouragement. Thank YOU for all your encouragement and support!
Blessings,
Ceil
Sorry to come back again, Ceil.
First; thanx for buying my latest book. I’d really like to know what you think of the plot but please don’t reveal the ending to readers.
Now that you’re at home recuperating, there’s a great opportunity to work on your book. I look forward to reading the final product in Kindle or paperback. I’m sure it will be a great work if it’s anything like your posts.
God bless.
Hi Victor! You are welcome back here anytime, you know that. I will keep mum on the plot, no worries!
The book I’m trying to compile is a collection of edited blog posts, so maybe you will have read a lot of them already. I’m aiming toward a devotional using the material I have written. We’ll see!
Have a restful night,
Ceil
I had meniscus surgery over a year ago but we live with no steps so I had absolutely no trouble getting around. Sorry. I’m not trying to rub it in. 🙂 I feel for you though. Some things happen which change our lives in a radical way. So glad you are able to see the “lesson” which can carry you into a deeper walk. Also praying for your quick healing Ceil. Rad your comment to Jennifer and know how important it is to get to that grandson!!
Hi Bill! Well, after three granddaughters, it will be fun to experience a boy 🙂
I don’t think you’re rubbing it in, your sharing your story, which I love. My sister was here for a few days and told me that she doesn’t think my house is good for us as we age. No first floor shower or bedroom. I understand that. I wish I had your set-up!
Thank you for your powerful prayers. I cherish them.
Happy Thursday!
Ceil
Glad you climbed that mountain, Ceil! LOL! So few of us can comprehend real thirst on a physical level. Thanks for the analogy!
Hi Group Leader! Man, was this a lesson in panting for water! I really learned a good lesson, and the Scripture really came alive for me too.
Climbed that mountain again. I’m getting to be a mountain goat!
Have a wonderful day 🙂
Ceil
Well Said, Ceil! As a long time runner, I am well acquainted with the thirst for water AND nothing satisfies that thirst but water! SO SORRY for your injury! Follow the doctors orders and heal well—God created us so that we would heal. He is a marvelous creator!
Healing Blessings, Friend!
Hi Lulu! I love that! That God created us to heal. I didn’t think about it that way, and I really appreciate the insight. Thank you!
I can’t run, so you have an experience of dryness that I never had. We all come to understand in differing ways, and it’s so beautiful to share the stories.
Thanks for your visit today my friend,
Ceil
Oh no, so sorry to hear about this. Hope you mend soon. Enjoy your down time!!
Hi Tori! Thank you, I hope I mend soon too! I’ll be off my right foot for six weeks, and then I assume I go to PT. It should be quite a ride. (I hope my husband is up to the nursing role!)
Have a great day 🙂
Ceil
I am heading to a shower right now and will appreciate it even more thanks to this blog. See a writer never wastes any experience even the tough ones, right? LOL hope you continue to heal and the time is useful for you, opening up new perspectives. love ya, Ceil!!
Hi Inspirer! (I am trying not to turn green with envy right now…) I’m sure I will learn a lot through a slower pace, pain and needing so much help. My poor husband! He’ll be happy when I’m up and bearing weight, both literally and figuratively.
Have a blessed afternoon 🙂
Ceil
Oh, friend … I’ve been MIA and missed your “spectacular” fall. I am so very sorry for it all and your description of your climb … I was right there with you. Stairs are such a pain as we get older and I’m grateful I don’t have a two-story home. Bless you!
Here’s praying for your speedy recovery and the very best outcome.
Hi Dayle! Oh that’s okay, I was off-line for about three weeks at Christmas time.
Thank you for your good wishes and prayers, I really appreciate them. How wonderful to have a ranch stye home! That would come in handy for the next few weeks.
Thank you for your visit, it’s nice to see you again!
Ceil
Perfect post. Thank you for setting things in perspective…heal fast…sending you prayers. Blessings
Hi Linda! I hope to heal fast, believe me. Doing my best to get the exercises done, and to take it easy.
I’m keeping your family in my prayers. Thank you for yours too. It’s so nice to have prayer buddies.
May God bless your afternoon,
Ceil
Sometimes I think we miss out when we don’t have more times of those desperation. Not that I wish for them! ha.
I’m so sorry about your leg, Ceil! Praying for quick healing and for refreshment in the waters, however they come.
Hi Lisa! I know what you mean. I think hard times can be an opportunity to grow in leaning on the Lord. It’s hard when you’re stressed, but I’m very fortunate to have family who love me and want to help as they are able.
Thank you for your prayers, I really appreciate them. I hope they will lead to healing on schedule 🙂
Nice to see you again!
Ceil
Oh Ceil, you have been and continue to be in my prayers! You bless my heart, dear friend, for your praise and thank our Lord during ALL times in your life. You are a beautiful testimony.
Sending love and hugs your way!
Hi Stephanie! Thank you for your prayers, I can use every one of them. I had a much better night last night, and I know it’s all the prayers. Don’t stop 🙂
I climbed the Alps today, and it seems more like Mt. Rushmore, so I’m getting there!
Blessings,
Ceil
Ceil: When I had my gall bladder surgery, I was told not to bend over to reach anything. Everything in our home was at the wrong height.Even our couch. A bout five days after I came hpme,the three of us went to a ‘cut-a-thon’ a friend had at her shop. It was a charity effort for a girl we knew. I came home and slept for twelve hours without moving a muscle.
Please be careful as you make your way up those stairs. You might not be as strong as you think.
Hi Cecelia! Thank you for your loving cautions to me my friend. I am still very afraid of the stairs, so it makes me very careful. I was given a gait belt to take home, so my husband can haul me up when I am bent down and struggling to get up. It’s very humbling isn’t it? I most certainly am NOT as strong as I think.
Thank you for sharing your experience with me. I’m glad you were able to sleep so long after all that activity!
Peace,
Ceil
Ceil, you describe this challenging circumstance so well, with humour and grace. How easily we can take the supply of fresh water for granted, never mind the ability to satiate our thirst, to get clean etc. What a poignant reminder of God’s living water and our desperate need for it!
And I can relate to feeling too incapacitated by weakness, deep-bone weariness or pain, to make a trip to the bathroom anything but achievable or pleasurable sometimes. Temporarily accepting a lower standard of cleanliness or finding creative ways around the physical problems is hard but makes us so thankful when we can achieve these things again. Keeping you in my prayers as you recover your mobility and strength. 🙂 x
Hi Joy! You speak so clearly with experience yourself my friend. It is definitely a new journey for me. It’s so true that you just don’t know what you have until it’s gone. In my head I was always grateful, but now it’s traveled to my heart.
Thank you for your prayers and thoughts. I really do feel that I am getting better because of them. Let me encourage you to keep praying? I would really appreciate it.
I am so grateful for your empathy,
Ceil
What a beautiful post, Ceil. It brought back a lot of memories for me…the Scripture I learned (not in my head, but in my heart) at that time was Proverbs 3:5-6. Oh…I’d known the words in my head for many years, but now I know them in my heart.
You are a blessing! I was so grateful in my time of need in 2011 that we have everything we need all on one floor! You are a trooper! Hugs to you.
Hi Dianna! So I had to look up your reference, and of course I loved it… “lean not on your own understanding”. Why do I keep wanting to do that? But God has a way of teaching through everyday movements, and those seem to be the ones that stick.
Well, I made it up the stairs and lived to tell it, so all is well. I can definitely see the benefit of ranch style homes though.
Hope you are having a restful evening,
Ceil
Oh, bless your precious heart. I follow another lady who is having similar issues with her leg and climbing stairs and she, too, is finding God speaking to her thru her hopefully temporary health concerns. Isn’t it awesome that He can teach us lessons even in the “bad”? Prayers for speedy healing, Ms. Ceil.
Hi Deb! I absolutely agree. Yes! It is wonderful that not one minute or experience is ever wasted with God. He uses them all to point us to him. I should see this time as a point in my life to observe and learn.
Thank you for your wonderful prayers. I do treasure them!
Ceil
Oh my sweet friend, this is truly a beautiful post. No matter what situation we find ourselves in, isn’t it amazing how God can use whatever it is to renew and refresh us? By doing that for you and you sharing it with us, He is speaking to us all. Ah…the Water of Life…and like the deer, I never want to stop seeking and “panting” for that refreshing Water. Thank you for this and I pray for your continued healing!
Hi Debby! You are so right. I know that God is using everything to teach me about myself and life in him. Even this crazy stuff!
I’m so glad that you could see some good in what I wrote here. It really did remind me of the deer and the water. I got cleaned up again today, and it still feels like a miracle 🙂
Have a peaceful evening my friend, and thank you for your prayers,
Ceil
I guess we all tend to take things for granted, like running water and baths, showers, etc., when they are always in our reach…but oh how quickly we start panting for that fresh water when it is just beyond our reach. This is such a beautiful picture for us today…certainly causing me to pause and give thanks for what I have…and praying for you to be strengthened and healed soon so that you can get back to your normal, “clean and refreshing” waters…May God continue to give you comfort and peace in the midst of your storm of life. May His healing waters wash over you and give you JOY in the journey. God bless you my friend.
Hi Pam! I love that image you prayed for me…for healing waters to wash over me. So beautiful! Thank you so much.
Your comment reminds me of the song that goes “don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone?” Believe me, I learned plenty from pining for a shower!
Thank you for your visit. I hope you had a good day today,
Ceil
I am so sorry to hear about your accident! Glad you are home and on the mend. Will pray for a speedy recovery.
Thank you for sharing this verse. It speaks so many things, doesn’t it? The song version of it was one of my Mom’s favorites. It always make me think of her.
Sending blessings and hugs your way! 🙂
Hi Karen! How lovely that this Scripture reminded you of your Mom. It really does speak to many things. The word of God is both simple and deep. The more you study, the deeper it goes.
Thank you for your blessings, hugs and prayers. I cherish each one! Today was a good day 🙂
Ceil
We forget what a blessing it is to be able to get up, move around, shower, go to work–all the things people complain about every day–until one day something happens and we can’t. Hopefully you feel better soon.
Hi Stephanie! I know I sure did. Being able to care for myself, I lost the wonder in being able to do that! But it’s slowly coming back as I am in awe of all the Lord gives us the abiity to do.
Thank you for your good wishes. I hope so too 🙂
Ceil
Oh, Ceil, I’m so glad you’re healing. And you’ve conquered the stairs! When I had our first baby, I had a C-section and was told not to go up and down the stairs, except that I had to. So it occurred to me to up backwards. Helps, doesn’t it? So glad you’re getting around. 😀
Hi Lynn! You sure do know how it feels, don’t you. Major abdominal surgery is limiting, and then you are caring for a newborn too. Phew!
I just came in from rolling on my scooter down the sidewalk outside. There is some snow, but it’s in the 40’s today, so it’s mushy. It was great to grab some fresh air.
Thank you for your visit! Hope you are having a fun weekend 🙂
Ceil
Bravo on your accomplishments dear Ceil.
When I broke my legs (first the left one in ’08 and then the right one about a year later)
I was very much in your situation as we too had stairs in our house and I needed help to get up those stairs.
When I first had that wonderful shower, it was truly heavenly!
You are in my prayers
Take good care.
Thanks for sharing this!
Bless you …
Hi Margie! You broke BOTH OF YOUR LEGS?? Oh my gosh, that sounds horrid. It’s bad enough dealing with this one, I really hope another isn’t in my future. But if it is, at least I know I’ll have a friend who has been in the same boat.
Thank you for your prayers and empathy. I need them both, and you are so kind to offer them.
Bless you too!
Ceil
Sorry it took a fall and broken bone to teach you this lesson but what a good one it is. We do pant for water and when we reach it, we hope we are refreshed. It is only in Jesus though that we are truly refreshed. Thanks for the lesson! Hugs and prayers for a quick recovery.
Hi Mary! Believe me, no one is sorrier than me! It just shows me how the Lord can teach me in every event of my life. Nothing goes to waste.
How good it is to have blog friends like you who have such wisdom. Thank you so much for your good thoughts and powerful prayers.
Have a blessed Sunday,
Ceil
Happy dance that your PT saved the day my friend!! I can only imagine how you rejoiced and felt invigorated after climbing those stairs and refreshing yourself! 🙂 All my love and prayers that He restores your body quickly, and keeps your spirits and soul refreshed during the weeks of healing ahead. ♥
Hugs!!! ♥
Hi Denise! Gotta love those PT’s that’s for sure! And thank you so much for your powerful prayers and love. I really cherish them. I do feel much better in the last few days. Sleep really helps!
Thank you for your visit today 🙂 Hope you have a blessed Sunday,
Ceil
Awww Ceil, I’m so sorry for your discomfort and pain. I’ll pray for you my friend.
I know what you mean about the cleansing– I felt this way days into having my girls. I felt like I would never shower again. When I did… WOW!
Thanks for sharing. Sending you love, encouragement, healing, and prayers.
xoxo
Hi Jennifer! I know you are praying for me my friend. I so appreciate your thoughts too. What would I do without my good blog-friends?
So glad you can relate! Climbing those stairs can seem like such a hard task. The reward though…it’s great!
Happy Sunday!
Ceil
May streams of healing wash over your body, His grace pour through your soul, dear Ceil. God keeps you front and center on my heart and I pray often for you …
Trusting that each day you’ll find the pain less, the trek upstairs a bit easier, some kind of new mercy at your doorstep.
Hugs.
Hi Linda! Oh my, what a beautiful comment. Thank you so much! You really take my breath away sometimes, you know that?
Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers. They are definitely being answered. I have had a great sleep the last few days, and it really makes a difference.
Today, a neighbor I don’t see anymore came to the door with goodies for us, she heard I broke my leg. I was so surprised! Yes friend, prayers are powerful things.
Cherishing you,
Ceil
Happy Sunday, Ceil. What another great practical lesson from you. And please know you have been in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. I am thankful for the ways He’s encouraging you and providing during your time of healing. Much love to you, friend. xoxo
Hi Beth! Happy Sunday to you too! Plenty of football going on here. It’s fun to have some entertaining background noise.
Thank you again for your powerful prayers and thoughts. I do see improvement. I get my cast off on Tuesday and graduate to a boot. Still no weight bearing, but at least I can get it wet and get all the way in the shower. Progress 🙂
I’ll contact you in a week or so, and we can chat. Sound good?
Night blessings my friend,
Ceil
Oh Ceil!!! You know I know all too well, this desperate need for water and the panting that ensues… oh do I KNOW IT!!
My surgery- Dec 16th. Cast for six weeks…living on one leg is HARD. Then who knows when or how I will walk with both… PT starts the 30th. Cast off the 29th. I am counting the days… you and me both girl.
Isn’t that something? Us two gimps… struggling to get to the water together. It gives me comfort to know a dear sister-friend of mine is in this same dry place. I will be praying for you, every time I pull my butt up my stairs, and do a 180 toward the bath, roll over and crawl to the door of the bathroom, then crawl back over to back scoot into the bathroom….. and you know how hard it is to get undressed, don’t you? Hoisting ourselves into the bathtub? Hard. But ahhhh….
The water is warm and soothing, yes? I wait until the grease slips off my hair before I venture yet again up that mountain to bathe.
Lets stay clean together, girl. 🙂
Hi Chris! Oh yes, we are in the same boat for sure. I just had a bath today, so there I was, hauling myself up that stairs again. Jumping with my walker to clear the last step. Scary!!
It is a strange kind of wonderful to know that we are going through the same thing right now. We’ll ‘walk’ through this the best way we can. My cast, which I call the ‘pink parasite’ is coming off tomorrow. Still no weight bearing, but at least I can get the area wet in the shower, right?
On to another day, another victory 🙂
Ceil