I come from a long line of people with powerful hands. My mom and dad could open anything, turn anything, hold anything. In turn, we were expected to be the same. We were taught how to grip jars, hold and turn a screwdriver without stripping the head. We even had contests to compare the strength of our hands. I’m embarrassed to confess that although I had very strong hands, I always lost to my mom in these contests.
Anyway, I could always open any jar, turn any screw with a screwdriver, turn any bolt. But after carpal tunnel surgery, I’ve lost a good bit of my strength. Don’t get me wrong, I’m so thankful for the completely successful surgery that has eliminated the excruciating pain in both my wrists. But now, I struggle like never before to open jars, tighten or loosen screws or bolts.
It makes me feel week, inadequate, less of a man. I know in my head that I shouldn’t feel or think this way, but it’s the reality I experience. What am I to do? How do I move forward in hope?
Hope doesn’t stop at the current reality; hope chooses to look forward in eager anticipation. Hope doesn’t look down where we’re at, hope chooses to look forward to where we are going.
In my case, I need to choose to be thankful and hopeful. Yes, my strength might not be the same, but I can choose to look forward to each and every day without pain.
Hope is a choice. What will you choose?