Uncomfortable Growth

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In my last post, when writing in reference to returning to running after my hand injury, I stated that "I'm looking forward to my legs burning in a good way and the challenge that running brings by doing something that's uncomfortable." The more I thought about that, the more I realized that is a lie! Haha! I need to be honest with you guys. I think, in general, as Americans especially, but I would even venture to say the entire human race, we have an instinct to make ourselves comfortable. We don't like to feel hunger, tiredness or pain.

For Christmas of 2024, I bought a Cricut Maker 3. We had the idea to make t-shirts with our business logo in order to save money by doing it ourselves rather than paying someone else. Great idea! However, the Cricut was taken out of its box for the first time last week. Yes, you read that correctly. It has been almost 1 year and 2 months since we even opened the box that it came in. I've watched several YouTube videos on how to get started, but the bottom line is that I don't want to go through the steps to learn how to use it. I simply want to be an expert without putting in the work. 

On Wednesday, I had my Ortho follow-up. My cast was sawed off, and my pins were pulled out. Ouch! I knew it was going to be a process to regain full use of my hand, but I did not realize how stiff my fingers would be. The ring finger and the pinky on my right hand barely move (see above picture). I have pain in the palm of my hand which extends into my wrist, limiting my ability to grasp objects. I am doing exercises throughout the day. I am being patient with the progress because I have no other choice, but in all transparency, I just want it to be back to normal, and I don't want to have to do the hard work or wait for the results.

On Thursday of this week, I did a trial run. I was out for a total of 1.6 miles with about 0.75 of that actually being considered a running pace. By the end of that day, my quads were stiff and I even had pain in my lower back. Again, I don't want to do the hard work of getting back into the mechanics of running. I just want it to feel good from the beginning.

Another truth is, though, at least that I have learned in life is that growth comes during our hardships. We learn things about ourselves that we didn't know before. John 12:24 (CSB) says, "Truly I tell you unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit." If we don't die, not literally but metaphorically of course, we may never experience our potential. We must die to the desire of only wanting to be comfortable and running from the things that seem hard. In your difficult times, I encourage you to lean into God and ask Him what you are supposed to get out of your particular circumstance.

You can bet I asked God to help me on Saturday during my run with "J" as my legs began to burn. I will definitely be talking to God through these next few weeks, as my hand continues to heal and I regain range of motion. He will be my strength on the days when I don't feel like putting in the work. It is only because of Him I can do the things that are uncomfortable. So, while I'm not necessarily looking forward to the feeling of being uncomfortable, I am looking forward to the growth that will come because of it. 

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