by Ruth
Life often has a way of surprising us when we least expect it. For me, one such moment came in the form of a minor accident that transformed my daily existence into a series of slow, deliberate movements.
It all began with a misstep—a simple moment of imbalance that resulted in a painful fall. My right hand took the brunt of the impact. On the same afternoon, I entered the local urgent care to see a doctor. When the X-ray results came back, the doctor said I likely had a hairline fracture.
The challenges of my new reality became apparent quickly. As a right-handed person, I grappled with the inability to perform even the simplest tasks. Using chopsticks was out of the question, a skill I took for granted and one that now seemed as unattainable as climbing Mount Everest. A fork was manageable, though it still required immense concentration.
But eating was just the start. Every aspect of my routine was disrupted. I was surprised that I couldn’t use scissors with my left hand. Dental flossing, a ritual after every meal, became an impossible feat.
Dressing myself presented another set of challenges. Gone were the days of fitted jeans and button-down shirts. Instead, I opted for a loose dress that I could slip over my head with my good arm.
Each movement was slow and took twice the time it normally would. The routine I once breezed through became a lesson in resilience. In frustration, a verse from the Bible kept coming to mind: “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). I’ve memorized this verse previously. Yet, forced into a period of physical stillness, I reflected more on those words. This injury was an unanticipated invitation to slow down and depend on others and God.
Amid my struggle, my husband became an unexpected hero. Always supportive, he stepped up in ways I hadn’t anticipated. He took over preparing meals for us—an act of love that touched me. His willingness to help reminded me of the strength inherent in our relationship, something often overlooked in the busyness of life.
Throughout this time, the words, “Be still, and know that I am God,” became my daily reminder. The slow pace allowed me to appreciate the small victories in everyday moments that I used to rush past. The slowness, once a source of frustration, became a path to finding grace in the simple and the mundane.
Sometimes life forces us to stop for a reason. Being still provides room for a deeper appreciation of what truly matters.
