Falling Down and Getting Up Again

I hate that question that every doctor’s office asks now, “Have you had any falls in the past twelve months?”

I always say, “no” even though that’s rarely true.  

Because I know what they are looking for is evidence of disease that might be impacting balance and I’m perfectly free of that so I don’t want to place a red flag in my medical chart.

But I fall down pretty regularly.  Mostly because I trip over something as I’m walking from one animal enclosure to another, hands full of buckets and mind somewhere else.

The other day was one of those moments.  

I was done feeding our beagles, headed back to the house when my feet found a random piece of looped wire on the ground.  (I still have no idea where it came from!)

There’s that split second when you know a fall is coming and your mind tries to figure out how to stop it even as your body is giving in to gravity.

Down I went!  Hard!  On my left knee and right wrist but sparing my head.  

It really, really hurt.  In fact, it hurt so badly that I simply rolled over and rocked back and forth for a second or two.

helpless turtle

Then I realized there was no help for it but to put weight on those knees and wrists and get up.  So I took a deep breath, counted to ten and pushed myself up.  I hobbled back into the house to survey the damage and put ice on my knee.

And I reminded myself once again that I can do things that are hard, that are painful and that seem impossible.  

strengh grows when you go on anyway

Life is full of falls-real ones that bang up body parts and figurative ones that wreak havoc with hearts.

They all hurt.  

When I find myself down and out I have a choice. 

I can sit in the pain and lie helpless and hopeless. 

Or I can take a deep breath, gather my courage and get up.  

Every time I choose courage, I build up my reserve and strengthen my resolve and make it more likely I’ll get up every time.  

fear is a reaction courage is a decision

 

Author: Melanie

I am a shepherd, wife and mother of four amazing children, three that walk the earth with me and one who lives with Jesus. This is a record of my grief journey and a look into the life I didn't choose. If you are interested in joining a community of bereaved parents leaning on the promises of God in Christ, please like the public Facebook page, "Heartache and Hope: Life After Losing a Child" and join the conversation.

7 thoughts on “Falling Down and Getting Up Again”

  1. Pingback: Courage to Get Up Again – thelifeididntchoose

  2. im so tired that sometimes I think its too hard just let me go back to bed . Praying has begun to feel too hard .I had one that said sis let us help we are prayer warriors interceding just rest.

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    2. Oh my, yes! There are days I long to go back to bed. They don’t come as frequently anymore but at first it was a struggle nearly every single day. I often tell people that my small farm saved me from just rolling up into a ball and staying there. I HAD to get up because the animals depended on me. It has been good therapy.

      I pray that you feel the Father’s loving arms around you right now and that you hear Him whisper, “Courage, My child” to your broken heart. May He grant you strength for each day and give you the will and grip to hold onto hope. ❤

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  3. I had a moment earlier this week that just destroyed my last shreds of faith in people. I got in bed and stayed there. I’m still in bed. I don’t want to get up and interact with people anymore. I am afraid. I don’t think I could take another hit. I have no courage to draw from.

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    2. Praying for you in this valley that you find yourself in. I’ve been going through some rough storms and I’ve found myself reminding “me” that I’ve survived the death of my son and God will walk with me through these current disasters as well…… it’s a battle.

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