My youngest son, Aidan, loves basketball. This love probably began in the womb because his father loves it, but we saw it come to life on his first team in the 3^rd grade. Each subsequent year brought a deeper love for the sport and by the time he reached the 7^th grade, when he wasn’t at school or on a field of some sort, he was in the driveway shooting hoops. He’d take on anyone who would play with him – his dad, a neighbor, even this mom! So, you can imagine the disappointment that set in when at the beginning of his basketball season last year, he went up for a block during a game and as he came down, landed on his outside ankle (snap!), sprung up, and then landed on his inside ankle (snap again!). Yes, it was as bad as it reads. The season was over in a matter of moments. Devastation, emergency surgery, and a long recovery faced us on the road ahead.

One thing to know about Aidan is he does not like sitting still for too long. He loves being active. So, words like “immobile” and “non-weight bearing” were incredibly foreign and quite horrifying to him. Add to that phrases like “for 12-16 weeks” and “intensive rehab” and you have an invitation for some depression to set in. And understandably so. 

It seemed he had a lot to learn and cope with in the months to come. But little did I know how much I would learn watching my son over those next several months. 

“Settling In”

Well, to begin, the settling-in was delayed because, on the way home from the hospital after the surgery, Aidan needed to make a pit stop at that night’s basketball game. It was supposed to be one of the biggest games of the season and he wasn’t going to miss it. So instead of getting him home and settled in (which was my vote, but I was outvoted!), I was pulling the wheelchair out of the car and wheeling him into the big game. He wasn’t going to miss it for anything. Not only did he get to see the big game, but a couple of dads came around him and breathed life into him – they encouraged him in his strength, built him up, and let him know he was loved and prayed for. An unexpected dose of healing no medicine could provide.  A reminder, that we do not overcome alone. We need community; as God uses His people to help lift us. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

“Settling In” Take Two

We made our way home and finally got him settled in, but within a matter of a couple of hours, he went missing. Our “immobile” boy was nowhere to be found. After scouring the house, I opened the front door to find Aidan sitting outside on a stool in the driveway shooting baskets. His buddy down the street came over and helped him prop his foot up so he could safely shoot baskets with him. Now I guess this really shouldn’t have surprised me, knowing that it is impossible to keep him still. He was smiling and it was joy to see him with a basketball in his hand. Months followed, and he got very good at his free throws from a stool in the driveway! A reminder, that we do not overcome by being idle. We need to take the next step, even if it’s not the step we thought we would be taking. Even if it’s with a crutch. We can’t get to the place God has prepared for us by not moving forward. (Psalm 37:23)

It’s Not Always Easy but God Always Has It

Don’t get me wrong, there were some really hard moments. The nights He couldn’t get comfortable and sleep. The simple daily activities that became really hard challenges. Missing out on fun activities with friends. But these moments were fleeting. Instead of choosing to marinate in how miserable he was and what he couldn’t do, he chose to focus on what he could do. He accepted his reality. Instead of letting it define him and get the best of him, he made the best of it. A reminder, that we do not overcome by being victims of our hardship. We take captive thoughts and make them obedient to God (2 Corinthians 10:5), Who has better plans for us than to just sit in our hardship. 

Back in the Game… Or Were We?

After a long winter, Aidan stuck with his rehab and started a countdown to the date the screws would be removed from his foot. Unfortunately, it would not be in time to get in the last games of the basketball season, but it was in time to head out on a family mission trip. And as God would have it, the place we served had a basketball court. He played basketball every single day and it was pure joy to see him get back into the game. And to get even more fully “back in the game,” he played in a summer league. It did start a bit rusty for him, but as the summer went on, he quickly improved and seemed to be pretty much back to his old self by the end of the season. He jumped into Cross Country season and that broken ankle became stronger than ever, and he was ready for the long-awaited basketball season. We praised God he made the team. But the season didn’t start as we expected. He wasn’t starting. Heck, there were games in which he wasn’t even playing. An anticipated season became a dreaded one. He was down and out and at an all-time low on this game he loved so much. Frustration set in. He was already forced to sit out a season to injury. He’s a good player. This wasn’t fair. A reminder, that we do not overcome in our timing. Because God’s plans for us and His timing are perfect, and while we may want to give up and quit, God calls us to persevere. (Jeremiah 29:11, Hebrews 12:1)

Back in the Game. For Real This Time.

There were a few paths Aidan could have taken here; after all, he was pretty discouraged. For one, he could have just given up. That would have been the easy thing to do. He also could have complained incessantly to others (which was the path I’m embarrassed to say I chose.) Or he could have adopted a holier-than-thou attitude and waited for the coaches to finally take notice.  It would take a better part of a season for Aidan to learn that prayer, patience, and perseverance were going to be the important tools to get him through the season. And only through those things, would he see some long-awaited fruit. Fruit that looked like not only starting in the game but leading the team in scoring the last ten games of the season.  A reminder, that we do not overcome without God. He gives us patience and perseverance if we ask and abide. (James 1:12)

Aidan’s faith has grown a lot over this past year. He has been a witness to God’s faithfulness and peace when the world would have told him to retreat and be bothered. I’ve learned so much watching my son walk through all of this and have seen firsthand His faithfulness. I would never have wished injury or hardship on him, but I am so grateful he had these experiences to add to his testimony. A reminder, that our testimonies are powerful because we powerfully overcame. (1 John 5:4)

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

1 Peter 5:10

Dear Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness when we are weak. Thank You that You are sovereign, and with You, we can overcome because You overcame the world. Thank you for healing Aidan and showing Your love and favor to him, even in really hard times. Forgive me when I forget to lean into You for strength and patience when I need to persevere. I pray for Your continued guidance and wisdom on this side of Heaven. You are so faithful. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.