the testing of boundaries

boundaries

Written by PatriciaHunter

I'm a wannabe psalmist with a camera.

November 12, 2013

boundaries

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16.11 (ESV)

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Five weeks after total knee replacement and my therapist thinks I’m doing great, but it’s hard work, and I sometimes get weary at the thought of starting all over again next month after surgery on the other knee. About the time I gain some independence back, I’ll be dependent on others again, and it bristles against the stubborn “I can do it myself” me.

I’ve been advised to wait six weeks before driving after right knee surgery, but I’m anxious for some of that temporary independence and decide to look for a loophole in the advice. Thanks to Google I find it. “A month after total knee replacement on the right knee, a patient can try driving if they feel confident, they are no longer taking narcotics for pain, and the car has an automatic transmission,” the well-known medical center website tells me. Five weeks is more than a month. I grab my purse, keys, phone and camera, and leap – or limp – out the door rejoicing at my new-found freedom.

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I’m clearly testing the boundaries – boundaries that were given for my good and protection, and for the good and protection of others, as well. As I test my ability to drive down these back country roads, I stop here and there to roll down the window and capture glimpses of our tropical fall blazing yellow behind barb-wire fences, and it occurs to me that the boundaries God places in my life are there for the very same reason – for my good and protection, and for the good and protection of others around me, as well.

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When I left the hospital after surgery, I wasn’t sent home to figure out for myself how to care for the incision, control pain, and learn how to walk with my new knee. The orthopedic surgeon, the hospital staff, and the physical therapists provide all the information I need – even when I don’t know what to ask for. Neither does God make it difficult for me to know the boundaries in my walk with Him. They are written in His Word and on my heart, and like the restrictions placed on my driving, they are boundaries I can choose to honor, ignore, or push through in defiance. I can even look for loopholes, but the joy and pleasure found in His presence comes from choosing to stay with Him on the “path of life” He makes known to me.

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9 Comments

  1. Sandra Heska King

    …decide to look for a loophole…

    Ha! We do that, don’t we? I’m glad you took a romp and found these lovelies. But there’s a barb in your loophole. It’s that right foot that accelerates and brakes (well, is supposed to.) I’m glad you tested your boundaries on the back roads. 😉

    Reply
    • Patricia W Hunter

      =) Too funny! I told the therapist yesterday what I did last week and she laughed and said she would do the same thing. Fortunately, because my 4Runner has automatic transmission, I only have to wait 2 weeks after the TKR surgery on my left knee to resume driving. The only problem I have with driving now is getting out of the car. If I’m on the passenger side, I can get my bad leg out first, but in the driver’s seat, it’s a bit awkward…especially getting out of my 4Runner that’s higher off the ground. Next Monday will be my biggest driving test when I’ll get on the highway, a busy interstate and through bumper-to-bumper city traffic to get to the doctor’s office. I think that practicing now in the country will make me more confident then.

      Reply
      • Sandra Heska King

        It’s always good to practice when we’re trying to stretch our boundaries… 😉

        Reply
  2. Sharon

    OK, Patricia – I had to chuckle at you stretching the boundaries. But what a great spiritual lesson you drew from your life. So many people think that God’s laws are arbitrary rules that are constricting and restrictive. They think that real freedom can be found in *doing their own thing*.

    Foolishness. This is nothing but slavery to sin. God’s rules (His boundaries) are set for us out of love. He alone knows what is best for the creatures He created – and we are wise to follow what He says.

    GOD BLESS, oh gimpy one!

    Reply
    • Patricia W Hunter

      Amen!!!! When we realize the truth that God loves us and wants the best for us, so his rules or guidelines are for our good. Thank you for the blessings, dear one.

      Reply
  3. lindalouise

    So very well said Patricia. What is it about us that makes us want to push against the boundaries. Somehow things always look better outside those limits, when all the while the real joy is found right where He places us. A wonderful reminder dear friend. I’m so happy you’re feeling so much better. You’ve done a great job!

    Reply
  4. David Rupert

    Yeah…looking for a loophole, like the man who asked Jesus about eternity. Wanted to make sure all the checkmarks were in the boxes and wanted to define, “who is my neighbor.”

    Reply
    • Patricia W Hunter

      You’re right – I’d forgotten about that. Thanks!

      Reply

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the testing of boundaries

by PatriciaHunter time to read: 2 min
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