The Lame Still Walk...and Play Basketball

You may or may not already know all that I'm about to write, but I sensed in my spirit the need to yet again give honor and glory to our most amazing God!

As you notice from the picture, that is B3 on the free throw line getting ready to shoot (and yes, it went in). This is from their most recent game, 01/20/15. That in itself is not worthy of blog attention, but everything that led up to that moment truly is.

On January 9th of this year, B3 went to the ground hard following a layup opportunity in a game for the DCA Lions. It was a pretty severe moment and the pain seemed incredible. As a dad, and one of the assistant coaches, I wasn't sure what my response was supposed to be, but I could tell my son was in agony. Half thinking about the injury he had just suffered and half thinking about how this might impact the game and the rest of the season, it was almost more than he could take. I so appreciate the great attention and care he received from our DCA staff who were there.

We finally made it to the ER several hours later and the pain was still severe. As you can see from the picture below, although we didn't know exactly what we were facing, we knew it was going to be major.

The preliminary report from the ER doctor (pre x-ray) was a broken fibula which meant he would be out of basketball for at least 6-8 weeks. In a season that was to be over in 5 weeks, you're beginning to understand the weight upon B3's heart. Following X-Ray examination, the prognosis was only slightly better - fractured growth plate - out at least 4-6 weeks. As we left that ER room Friday night our hearts were all a little heavy.

On the way home I asked B3 if he really believes what we're reading during our morning family devotional time. We've been spending these moments together dissecting Mark Batterson's "Grave Robber" and discovering more and more about our miracle-working God. We had recently (and are still there) been journeying through the miracle in John 5 where Jesus heals the lame man who hadn't walked in 38 years (probably his entire life). Not to oversimplify the miracle, but the man believed that Jesus could heal him and he walked all the way home (after jumping, hopping, and skipping I'm sure). Barry's response to me was, "Yes, I believe that Jesus can heal me." And so, as a family, we've held that belief from day #1. So let me tell you the rest of the story...

Step #1 - B3 got into the orthopedic doctor (one who works with Virginia Tech athletics even) on that Monday. He was then diagnosed with not a break, nor a fracture, but rather with a high ankle sprain. Prognosis was that he would be out at least 3 weeks.

Step #2 - Instead of the normal 7-10 day wait, B3 was able to be seen the very next day at the Physical Therapist (again, one who works closely with VT athletics). When he shared his goal to be back on the court in 2 weeks (since the doctor said at least 3), they told B3 that it would definitely take longer than 2. He was swollen still and it was still very tender.

Step #3 - While at the therapist's office, they took him out of the walking boot and put him in just an ankle brace. This was because with this injury he only needed his ankle stabilized, and not his whole leg. This would also help the blood flow to the ankle to help the injury heal.

Step #4 - It was six days before Barry's next physical therapy appointment (it was all they had and we were out of town for the pastor's conference). When Barry showed up on Monday, the therapist couldn't even believe he was looking at only a 10 day old high ankle sprain injury. Several times he asked us when the injury happened, with shock. The swelling was almost non-existent and the pain was present only during the workout. Barry left the visit being cleared to no longer have to wear the ankle brace (except during school for only this week).

Step #5 - In a limited capacity, we let B3 practice with his team on Monday. Coach took great care and B3 was able to do everything that was asked of him, all without re-aggravation or pain.

Everything I've just written has led to the miracle that is B3 playing in his first game, only 11 days removed from suffering a potentially season-ending ankle injury. If that's not something to shout about, I don't know what is!

Why Jesus chose to heal the lame man in John 5, I'll never fully know. Why he has chosen to heal my boy at this time, I may never know either. But I hope that we fully recognize it for what it is - a miracle. It's so easy to dismiss the mighty hand of God at work in our lives. We do it with the small things all the time. My hope and prayer is that this will become one of those bedrock moments that my boy can look back on down the road in life and that doing so will cause his faith to stand strong. My hope and prayer is that God would use this supernatural and divine moment to grow each of us more into his likeness.

Thanks for the part you played in this miracle; without your love, support and prayers, it may not be what it's truly become!

With love,
Barry

So long, good friend!

I usually try to distance my writing from my emotions, whether it's an email, a letter or even a blog, to prevent writing something I might not have written once the emotions settled. However, against better judgment (since Christy is fast asleep beside me), I find myself typing away in the still darkness of a house that is not our own.

This journey the Lord has our family on is one which has cost us dearly...from my profession, to our house, to our possessions, to now what is probably the most heart-wrenching, tear-spilling one of them all - saying goodbye to a 6-year-old member of the family. Just to make sure we're on the same page (since I know you're looking at the above picture), I'm talking about the dog and not the boy.

Cali danced her way right into our lives a little over six years ago - just in time for Christmas 2008. What once was a scrawny, little puppy grew into a 65 pound gentle giant. From frolicking in the snow, to catching balls and playing fetch; from eating dirty tissues, to interrupting morning devotions with a kiss on the chin (not right after the tissue eating, mind you) the Lord has used Cali's presence in our family to bring many treasured and wonderful memories into our life. Perhaps that is why we spent the final hour of the day all huddled upon the bed with Cali in the middle - sharing stories, giving pets, and crying profusely.

One would think that our knowing for over six months that this day was coming would make it easier, however I'm here to tell you that tomorrow's looming K9 departure is lurking down on us like a massive freight train without any brakes. The more we've tried to lasso in the clock these past few days, the quicker she's seemed to tick away. In just a mere seven hours from this writing Cali will be on her way to her new forever home with a new forever family.

Despite the sadness and heart-break, tomorrow is yet another answer to prayer along this journey. We've prayed all along that God would provide a loving home for our pets and that's exactly what Cali will be receiving. To you, Cali's new family, thanks for allowing God to use you as an answer to our prayers.

And so, not being one who likes to say "goodbye," I simply say, "So long, good friend!"