I'm encoring this post to reinforce its pitch to myself because I need it again! Perhaps a few of my friends do too?
I don't want to bore you with “an organ recital” about all the unexpected unfixables going on in my “earth suit” body due to the blessing of longevity. However, that blessing package of long life does have a few hurdles to jump over.
Of course, at age 93 I don't really jump hurdles anymore, nor do I look at them as road blocks to stop me from carrying out God's call on my life. I label them what they are: “momentary light afflictions” which Scripture tells us “are not to be compared with the joy that is to come.” Sort of speed bumps or rumble strips to curtail our fast pace as we move on to mature.
I confess that I seem to be a little off balance. I have a problem walking steady because of the deterioration of nerves in my feet caused by gradual but now severe non-diabetic polyneuropathy—which in turn is caused by an age-related deteriorating disc at L5 in my spine. Enough details. The result? My numb feet are not so good at notifying my brain exactly where I'm stepping. I'm in greater danger of stumbling and falling.
Since nothing can be done to rejuvenate those nerves once they deteriorated, my compassionate neurologist instructed me/virtually threatened me not to go anywhere without my “walking stick” aka “sugar cane,” or as my physical therapist calls it, my “steady companion.” I need it for balance. Would you believe, I had to learn a PT routine how to walk to accommodate this “third leg” and work on strengthening muscles in my lower extremities.
Okay, so I do have some psychological/emotional hurdles ahead, specifically to change my habit of a lifetime in the fast lane. I've been cautioned repeatedly to start slowing my pace. I've been reluctant to, but now I must. “He [the Lord, my Shepherd] maketh me....” (Psalm 23:2). Whether I do it voluntarily or am made to do so is up to me. It's counterproductive to grumble or complain or resist what is inevitable. I need to understand that my new, unanticipated situation is meant by God to be “green pastures” and “quiet waters” for the purpose of “restoring my soul.” What is there about that, that I don't understand and appreciate?
I'll have to give up some things. I won't need to walk the dog. (I don't have a dog anyway!) I won't be able to run marathons. (That was never on my bucket list!) I will have to give up my dream of parachuting out of a plane. (Not in my wildest dreams did I have that nightmare!) But there are dozens of things I can certainly still do! Me and my "sugar cane" with God’s help.
I'm determined to look upon my cane not as a symbol of my weakness or inability but as a sweet “sugar cane” and “boast about my weakness that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” I want to cash in on all the rest of the goodies the apostle Paul discovered were the flip side of God not answering his prayer to remove the painful “thorn in the flesh” that he struggled with and pleaded with God to have removed.
My "sugar cane" doesn't hinder me from continuing to fulfill my life calling from God. Whatever the Lord permits or gives is always good. I'm going to meditate on Paul's experience in depth to squeeze every bit of power and balm for my new state of affairs in my “earth suit.” I have to adjust my attitude to accept what He gives me, and let Him do a new thing—to turn an arid desert experience into a place of refreshing springs. (Isaiah 43:18-21)
As we become older, we are also prone to get out of balance in our walk with the Lord. Each of us knows what that means in our own life. We must be ever so vigilant not to become gradually numb to the ways that we knew were displeasing to God in our earlier years but now we've become lax in our spiritual walk. We so easily stumble and fall. From time to time we may need to take a “selfie” photo of our spiritual walk and then sign up for some spiritual PT.
Oh, this new experience has its perks—I can celebrate that I now have a handicapped placard to enable me to park closer to my destination. When some folks notice that I'm using my “sugar cane,” they hurry and open a door for me! Thank you!
I've found many online sites instructing me how to walk properly with my “sugar cane.” Helpful, yes, but imagine this scenario: it's raining and I've opened my umbrella, I've slung my purse over my shoulder, my “sugar cane” is in my right hand, I have a package in my left, the railing to hold on to is on my right—and I have a couple of steps to climb before I try in vain to carry everything while opening the entrance door to the medical building where I go for PT. That's a dilemma for a juggler! They call a cane a “third leg” but I need several more arms!
As long as I must use a cane, I've chosen one with some pizzazz—pictured all over its light steel length very appropriately is a symphony of multi-colored butterflies. 
What else? That's symbolic of my website and my calling to coach aspiring writers into published butterflies. 
The Rest of The Way
THIS PRESENT DARKNESS
1/12/2021 5:08:00 PM by: Leona Choy
“LET FREEDOM RING!”
1/11/2021 10:40:00 AM by: Leona Choy
CONCERNING CLIMATE CHANGE
1/8/2021 5:17:00 PM by: Leona choy
NEITHER ROBOTS OR PUPPETS!
1/4/2021 12:49:00 PM by: Leona Choy
STILL CLIMBING NEW HILLS
1/1/2021 12:04:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ARCHI AND THE FINISH LINE
12/29/2020 5:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
IT'S ALL ABOUT FOOTWEAR
12/26/2020 2:57:00 PM by: Leona choy
“STAR OF WONDER, STAR OF NIGHT...”
12/24/2020 9:26:00 PM by: Leona
UNSCRAMBLING SCRAMBLED EGGS
12/22/2020 3:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE REVEAL!
12/19/2020 3:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
[ in-foh-dem-ik ] INFODEMIC: WMD of 2020
12/14/2020 10:16:00 AM by: Leona Choy
RIP VAN WINKLE AND THE FIRST ELECTION
12/7/2020 5:18:00 PM by: Leona Choy
“BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!”
11/30/2020 3:37:00 PM by: Leona Choy
IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS
11/27/2020 6:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE GRINCH (VIRUS) THAT STOLE THANKSGIVING
11/23/2020 3:45:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A THANKSGIVING STORY
11/20/2020 12:27:00 PM by: Leona Choy
FIXING YOUR EYES
11/15/2020 5:00:00 PM by: Leona Choy
LIVING THROUGH THE “NOT YET”
11/12/2020 1:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CARPE DIEM IN LOCKDOWN
11/9/2020 10:12:00 AM by: Leona Choy
EXTRA FOR ELECTION WEEK
10/31/2020 3:30:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ATTENTION: ALL FRETTERS!
10/29/2020 1:16:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HANDS OFF!
10/26/2020 5:41:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SEASONAL SPECTACULARS
10/22/2020 3:12:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE LATE GREAT ELIMINATOR
10/19/2020 11:09:00 AM by: Leona Choy
RAINY DAY REMINDER
10/17/2020 5:26:00 PM by: Leona Choy
VIEW FROM THE HEAVENLIES
10/15/2020 6:55:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BEAUTIFUL DREAMER?
10/12/2020 6:18:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BUT IF HE DOESN'T?
10/8/2020 7:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
READY OR NOT—HERE I COME!
10/6/2020 5:41:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A TESTED HELP
10/5/2020 10:03:00 AM by: Leona Choy
ENCHANTED GROUND?
10/1/2020 11:54:00 AM by: Leona Choy
BEAUTIFUL TOGETHER
9/28/2020 6:16:00 PM by: Leona Choy
OUR PREOCCUPATION WITH “SETI”
9/24/2020 3:24:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SHINE THROUGH ME
9/21/2020 12:57:00 PM by: Leona Choy
“THINGS TO COME...”
9/17/2020 10:47:00 AM by: Leona Choy
RIDING THE SHOCK WAVES
9/14/2020 3:10:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SLEEP WITH OUR CLOTHES ON
9/10/2020 3:13:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HOW DO YOU SMELL BY NOW?
9/7/2020 3:05:00 PM by: Leona Choy
"I AM NOT A ROBOT!”
9/3/2020 10:59:00 AM by: Leona Choy
PROLIFERATION OF DROPOUTS
8/31/2020 12:18:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MESSAGE FROM 8TH CENTURY B.C.
8/27/2020 5:46:00 PM by: Leona choy
BRIDGES TO SOMEWHERE
8/24/2020 11:43:00 AM by: Leona Choy
GET UP OFF THE FLOOR
8/20/2020 9:39:00 AM by: Leona Choy
"Under" the Circumstances?
8/17/2020 7:51:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TOO MUCH STUFF
8/13/2020 7:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Pacemakers and Pacesetters
8/10/2020 7:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Bug Out Bags and More
8/6/2020 10:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GIVE ME THIS DAY FRESH BREAD
8/3/2020 2:16:00 PM by: Leona Choy
FAMILY TREE HUGGERS
7/30/2020 11:17:00 AM by: Leona Choy
“WHO WERE YOU?”
7/27/2020 11:12:00 AM by: Leona Choy
WALKING WITH JESUS
7/23/2020 3:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHAT DOES MY COVID JOURNEY LOOK LIKE?
7/20/2020 3:05:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HEARING VOICES
7/16/2020 10:20:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A TIME TO BE HELD
7/13/2020 11:23:00 AM by: Leona Choy
RUMBLE STRIPS AHEAD!
7/9/2020 10:50:00 AM by: Leona Choy
“WHATEVER IS LOVELY AND BRINGS PEACE...”
7/7/2020 10:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
TO PLAN OR NOT TO PLAN
7/5/2020 7:25:00 PM by: Leona choy
MY OWN INDEPENDENCE DAY
7/3/2020 6:50:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHAT'S OUT THERE?
7/1/2020 11:51:00 AM by: Leona Choy
“FULL OF SAP AND VERY GREEN”
6/28/2020 5:25:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SPIRITUAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS
6/25/2020 2:42:00 PM by: Leona Choy
JUST FOR FUN
6/23/2020 1:18:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHO'S COUNTING?
6/20/2020 3:49:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PRAYER IS NOT FOR SISSIES
6/18/2020 7:23:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MY KITCHEN TIMER SPEAKS
6/16/2020 7:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
SQUEAKING HINGES
6/14/2020 3:45:00 PM by: Leona Choy
“US WOMEN ON OUR OWN”
6/12/2020 5:46:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PREPARING AN ETERNAL “NEST”
6/10/2020 3:29:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TENDING TO MY CATERPILLARS AND COCOONS
6/8/2020 10:37:00 AM by: Leona Choy
STILL LEAPING UPSTREAM
6/6/2020 2:58:00 PM by: Leona Choy
POKING HOLES IN THE DARKNESS
6/3/2020 11:27:00 AM by: Leona Choy
ARE WE THERE YET?
5/31/2020 9:14:00 AM by: Leona Choy
NEW WINE-SKIN PEOPLE
5/30/2020 10:22:00 AM by: Leona Choy
EARTH SUIT vs SPACE SUIT: Increasing Tension
5/29/2020 3:50:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ONLY A CHAPTER
5/28/2020 6:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WOUNDED WARRIORS
5/26/2020 7:21:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WEARY OR JUST TIRED?
5/24/2020 3:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WEARING PAJAMAS IN COMBAT?
5/22/2020 3:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
RETHINKING THE PREPPER MINDSET
5/20/2020 5:44:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE INTRIGUE OF ISOLATION
5/18/2020 3:08:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CONTEST OF THE CONDIMENTS
5/15/2020 3:41:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THOUGHTS FOR US “VULNERABLES”
5/13/2020 6:05:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHO WANTS TO PLAY STATUE?
5/12/2020 10:42:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BALCONY CONCERTS
5/11/2020 9:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GIANTS IN OUR FAMILY TREE
5/8/2020 7:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHAT ABOUT THOSE GRASSHOPPERS?
5/6/2020 3:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
METATHESIOPHOBIA!
5/4/2020 6:23:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WITHERED HANDS
5/3/2020 6:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WRITE A TIME CAPSULE
5/1/2020 3:31:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CASTING PRACTICE
4/30/2020 3:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MASKS
4/29/2020 3:46:00 PM by: Leona Choy
LAST STRAW?
4/28/2020 2:37:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MY SURVIVOR ASSIGNMENT
4/25/2020 3:36:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SEGUE TIME
4/24/2020 3:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SURE, I'LL PRAY FOR YOU
4/23/2020 8:00:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MEANWHILE, WE GROAN
4/22/2020 3:50:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PARABLE OF THE DISORDERED EGG
4/20/2020 12:14:00 PM by: Leona choy
CHANTING THE PSALMS—A “JOYFUL NOISE”
4/19/2020 10:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
OUR GREEN ROOM/GREENHOUSE
4/16/2020 10:41:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PSALMS IN COLOR
4/15/2020 5:49:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TV WATCH AND PRAY
4/14/2020 5:26:00 PM by: Leona Choy
JUST PASSING BY?
4/9/2020 3:08:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A SAFE PLACE ON THE ROCK
4/8/2020 5:09:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GETTING A GOOD SHAKING
4/7/2020 11:36:00 AM by: Leona Choy
THE UPSIDE OF DOWNTIME
4/6/2020 5:34:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ANNOUNCING! PANDEMIC READ-A-THON!
4/4/2020 8:14:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GOD'S OBSESSION WITH FRUIT
4/3/2020 5:09:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BLOOMING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
4/2/2020 6:04:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GRAY CLOUD FOLKS
4/1/2020 9:15:00 PM by: Leona Choy
END OF THE STORY
3/31/2020 8:46:00 PM by: Leona Choy
RAVENS DELIVERY SERVICE
3/30/2020 9:45:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CALAMITY COMFORT
3/29/2020 9:58:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A DESERT FABLE
3/28/2020 11:06:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A PERSONAL MESSAGE
3/27/2020 11:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
SURFING THE PANDEMIC WAVES
3/25/2020 3:54:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HOW ARE YOUR “WITS” DOING?
3/24/2020 3:38:00 PM by: Leona Choy
FALLEN ROCKS
3/23/2020 10:32:00 AM by: Leona Choy
HUNKERING AT EAGLE SUMMIT
3/21/2020 6:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TENT DWELLING
3/21/2020 12:14:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE
3/20/2020 2:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HANDS ON THE PLOW
3/19/2020 3:27:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SUBMARINE LIVING
3/18/2020 11:59:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A NEW HAPPY DANCE
3/17/2020 10:20:00 AM by: Leona Choy
SOCIAL DISTANCING
3/13/2020 12:36:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE RELUCTANT PILGRIM
3/11/2020 6:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE MYSTERIOUS "SELAH" WORD
3/9/2020 10:58:00 AM by: Leona Choy
MY CLAP OFFERING
3/8/2020 3:04:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ONE DOLLAR DAFFODIL
3/7/2020 1:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BOUND BY AN INVISIBLE THREAD
3/4/2020 9:43:00 PM by: Leona Choy
NOT SILENCED
2/26/2020 12:15:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BEING OWLISH ABOUT WISDOM
2/24/2020 3:31:00 PM by: Leona Choy
"In the beginning..." before GOOGLE
2/22/2020 11:13:00 AM by: Leona Choy
PULLED FROM THE BRINK
2/20/2020 3:55:00 PM by: Leona Choy
APPLE OF HIS EYE
2/9/2020 12:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SINGING HER WAY HOME
1/31/2020 3:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
EATIN' SHORTBREAD
1/24/2020 9:31:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PLATFORM, PODIUM, PULPIT OR PEDESTAL?
1/17/2020 1:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BUCKET LIST AGAIN?
1/12/2020 5:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
IN SEARCH OF A MAKEOVER
12/31/2019 12:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SEASONAL SAG
12/30/2019 1:32:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE MYSTERY OF TIME
12/28/2019 9:21:00 AM by: Leona Choy
2020 MY RENEWED EAGLE YEAR
12/26/2019 11:02:00 AM by: Leona Choy
Post Surgery Report
12/3/2019 3:30:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SURGERY ENCORE
11/23/2019 8:49:00 PM by: Leona Choy
“You Have the Right to Remain Silent”
10/31/2019 2:38:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHO IS SHAKING MY TREE?
10/30/2019 5:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHO IS THE BOSS OF ME?
10/15/2019 10:37:00 AM by: Leona Choy
LORD, MOVE MY MOUNTAIN!
10/13/2019 3:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ANOTHER WAITING ROOM
10/11/2019 9:36:00 AM by: Leona Choy
DON'T BE SHEEPISH
10/10/2019 12:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE VALUE OF SELF-TALK
9/28/2019 3:59:00 PM by: Leona Choy
LASER PRAYER
9/27/2019 12:35:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THANKS FOR THE MEMORY
9/12/2019 1:39:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CARRY ME, FATHER
9/5/2019 3:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MY PERSONAL SPIRITUAL WORKOUT
9/4/2019 10:55:00 AM by: Leona Choy
PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS?
9/1/2019 12:08:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Lessons from My Cup
8/20/2019 3:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
STRAW & THE CAMEL'S BACK
8/7/2019 12:38:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BECOMING MORE "FRUITY"
7/10/2019 5:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CREATIVE ENCOUNTERS
7/3/2019 2:27:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PITCHING IT RIGHT
6/30/2019 11:46:00 AM by: Leona Choy
“WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU GROW UP?”
6/25/2019 3:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
34580 and COUNTING
6/18/2019 2:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MOUNTAINS AND MOLEHILLS
6/14/2019 9:54:00 AM by: Leona Choy
CHEERLEADING
6/6/2019 9:52:00 AM by: Leona Choy
HANDS ON THE PLOW
5/22/2019 11:38:00 AM by: Leona Choy
WAITING FOR GRADUATION DAY
5/17/2019 3:46:00 PM by: Leona Choy
I THINK BOOKS
5/13/2019 12:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ONLY TALK WITH YOUR MOUTH FULL!
5/4/2019 8:35:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HO-HUM FAITH
4/18/2019 12:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BREATHTAKING THOUGHTS
4/7/2019 1:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TOO MUCH ON MY PLATE?
3/31/2019 5:23:00 PM by: Leona Choy
EARTH SUIT vs SPACE SUIT: Increasing Tension
3/4/2019 3:37:00 PM by: Leona Choy
AVOIDING A SPIRITUAL "OOPS!"
3/1/2019 12:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PURSUING WISDOM
2/19/2019 1:29:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A THORNY MATTER
2/15/2019 10:42:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A SOMEWHAT GRUMPY CHAT WITH GOD
2/12/2019 9:54:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A FISH STORY
2/8/2019 3:40:00 PM by: Leona Choy
LET'S EAT NOODLES TOGETHER!
1/21/2019 3:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SATISFIED--A SECRET TO SHARE
1/11/2019 7:22:00 PM by: Leona Choy
STILL RUNNING
12/29/2018 7:22:00 PM by: Leona Choy
RESISTANCE TO ASSISTANCE
12/6/2018 5:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CHALLENGE OF THE FOURTH QUARTER
11/26/2018 3:19:00 PM by: Leona Choy
KEEPING A TRADITION
11/15/2018 9:14:00 AM by: Leona Choy
PUBLISHING FUND PROGRESS
11/5/2018 8:58:00 AM by: Leona Choy
"GOING STEADY" WITH MY "SUGAR CANE"
11/3/2018 2:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A SHOUT-OUT FOR A NEW BUTTERFLY
10/31/2018 3:24:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THANKSGIVING IN OCTOBER
10/7/2018 5:53:00 PM by: Leona Choy
REPEAT OFFENDERS
9/30/2018 3:16:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SHINING WHEN YOUR BATTERY IS LOW
9/21/2018 5:32:00 PM by: Leona Choy
I DESERVE IT...DESERVE IT NOT....
9/13/2018 7:54:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
9/10/2018 12:35:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WAITING FOR GOD'S DUE TIME
9/3/2018 7:29:00 PM by: Leona Choy
STONES AND COVERUPS AND HOLY EARS
8/31/2018 10:44:00 AM by: Leona Choy
IT'S ALL ABOUT SHOES
8/29/2018 9:30:00 AM by: Leona Choy
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MY CELL TOWER
8/27/2018 3:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
REJUVENATION GOD'S WAY
8/17/2018 8:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
STUCK IN THE MUD?
8/13/2018 7:22:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR
8/8/2018 2:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHEN'S A GOOD TIME TO "EXULT"?
7/30/2018 3:00:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Survey For the Calendar-Challenged
7/25/2018 2:42:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Destiny Decisions
7/19/2018 10:25:00 AM by: Leona Choy
BEDROOM SLIPPERS OR HIKING BOOTS?
7/18/2018 10:44:00 AM by: Leona Choy
Hurrah for the Prepper Bridesmaids!
7/13/2018 6:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS?
7/10/2018 5:35:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BARNACLES
6/5/2018 2:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
