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As one of television’s longest “stories,” go, As the World Turns, comes in at Number Four. I never watched it, but as I recover from the recent right-shoulder, rotator cuff repair, the world keeps on turning. I guess that’s better than the alternative title of Stop the World, I Want to Get Off.”

            Many have called and inquired about my recovery and I usually say something along the order of, “I’m doing well.” I guess it could be said that every life has its bumps in the road and, if this is the only speed bump I have in my life, I’ll have no complaints. Plus, as I greet people at church and ask them, “How are you?” they usually answer, “Pretty good.” Then we agree with each other, no one wants to hear the complaints, anyway.

            I have no complaints when it comes to the surgery. The medical staff sent me home to recover with what is known as a pain pump. It contained a three or four day supply of pain medicine and an automatic pump that kept it flowing into the area where the operation occurred. The after-surgery pain has been managed very well.

            When all is said and done, the major challenge has been sleep. I have a bulky harness or sling that I have to wear at all times and its purpose is to keep my shoulder immobile. I have to sleep with the shoulder resting on a Mount Everest of pillows and there is not one chance of tossing and turning. Essentially, I have been rendered a “sleep on my back” person with no moving around.

            You know how that goes. When someone tells you not to move, what is the first thing you want to do? Move! I try to stay up as late as I can, but at some point, the “rack” or bed, as some may call it, has to be endured.

            As I lay there, a line from an Emmie Lou Harris song pops into my mind, “Yes it’s alright. It’s midnight and I got two more bottles of wine.”

            That’s what my silly mind was thinking as I tossed and turned trying to find that comfortable spot in the hospital bed that I’ve called my nighttime home these past two weeks. I don’t know why I would think that way.

No, it’s not alright, but it is midnight and two bottles of wine would last me six months! Sleeping all night. I’ll never take that for granted again.

            Also, using my left hand. Since I am a predominantly right-handed person, I have found it challenging, to say the least, almost impossible, to eat with my left hand. The other night Donna Sue presented me with some niblet corn as a side dish. From a full fork of niblets, I might have gotten two kernels to my mouth.

            Then there is the simple task of brushing teeth. Up and down, all around, sounds fairly easy, doesn’t it? Yes, but try it with your left hand! I won’t begin to tell you about other daily tasks! As the character on Kung Fu was advised decades ago, “Patience, young grasshopper.”

            The Bible says in the Letter of James, that we are to be thankful, even glad, when it comes to the challenges of life. He continues to say that those challenges, when endured with an emphasis on faith, will lead toward maturity and it is good to let those challenges play themselves out.

            In other words, hang in there! And, if there is a need, don’t be reluctant to ask God, who is generous and willing, for His help. But, ask with faith and don’t doubt. So, here I go. Lord, how about a good night’s rest?