Hi, everyone.  Here in my post-surgery, “resting-up” time (which should cover much of June), I’m finding myself a bit stunted for substantial creative thought.  As such, I pass along a Phil update, along with other miscellaneous tidbits that survived the operating table, and have grown into little interesting nuggets of thought:

1) Update:  I wanted to let you know that I’m recovering quite quickly and (for the most part…I’ll spare you the biological specifics), quite smoothly from my recent surgery.  Here’s an eye opening little timeline of events: about 1.5 weeks ago, I was being wheeled in for my 4th brain surgery in 2 yrs; exactly one week ago today, I was released from the hospital into the more-than-capable supervision of my Mom & Dad; just about 6 days ago, I was feeling able to be home by myself (allowing me to perform such ordinary tasks as getting out of chairs, showering, and cooking brerakfast without much fear that I’d injure myself.  By Friday, I had relearned how to give a “thumbs-up;” by Saturday, I could tie my shoes.  Nothing like a little major surgery to knock one off their pedestal…

2)  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, but…there’s just nothing like being completely helpless to find out who’s really got your back in life; I’ve been blessed with amazing family, church friends; coworkers, friends, and probably a stranger or two through this (and all previous) ordeals.  Don’t ever forget: even the smallest act of thoughtfulness, kind word, moment of grace, might seem like nothing to you, but it might be changing someone else’s whole day.

3)  I’ve realized this before, and have tried to impress this simple truth on others, but it really is an honor and a responsibility, when being cared for by so many, to “brainstorm” as many ways to help as you can think of (even if you don’t think of those things as urgent needs).  The chance to serve others by allowing them a way to serve others might come across to some as selfish, but is really just making the most of your circumstances by allowing the most good to come out of it.  If you ever find yourself in a similar place of need, don’t be shy!  Just ask for help!   Others are asking you to let them do something; why spoil the party over a little pride?

4)  Before surgery, I had decided to mull over the Scripture of I John during my horizontal time; just one of those books I hadn’t read in awhile, and always get something out of.   Problem was, I didn’t realize how sick I’d be during the hospital portion of that time.  Reading was not on the agenda.  However, I remember a very clear visual show God put on in my head at some point: looking at chpt 1, verse 5, which states: 

“God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”

 The visual went as such; the words were laid out in big type, alone, just like above, accompanied by a narration of the text.  Then, a spotlight shone on some area of the text, with a narration of, “There…see any darkness there?  No?  OK.”  Then repeat verse text narration.  Then shine on a different area, repeating the same question, and verse narration.  This went on multiple times (definitely enough to constitute overkill), but all really drove home a point:  a life of truly pursuing God does not afford one the opportunity to say we can “handle” a little darkness now and then; if the holiness of God is our objective, why would revelling in (or even tolerating the presence of)  clearly unholy things even occur to us? 

5) Also before surgery, I had it pointed out to me by several wise people (some of whom had been trying to impress this point upon me for years), that I have a tendency to overanalyze things.  Of course, my only recourse was to overanalyze these remarks, which I then churned into a recent piece about risk.  Now, I’m trying to proceed in my healing process w/o too much caution, remembering that I tend to linger in that place too long.

6)  OK, Junk drawer’s closed.  Some real, complete thoughts next time; I promise…