Pain in the Neck

Toula Portokalos: Ma, Dad is so stubborn. What he says goes. "Ah, the man is the head of the house!"
Maria Portokalos: Let me tell you something, Toula. The man is the head, but the woman is the neck.

...and the neck... turns the head!

Earlier today, Larry and I were discussing how crucial the neck area is. He's been exercising and strenghtening this area for 10 years! Someone should give that man a present.

Ever think what else the neck is responsible for? Here's a brief list:

* holds up our 10 or 12 pound heads! (That's the size of a cat. Meow!)
* rotates our head.
* a strong neck keeps us balanced, headache and dizzy-free.
* major channel for nerve impulses and blood supply to and from the brain, shoulders, arms, trunk of the body, and even its organs & glands.
* relaxation, alertness, mental sharpness, the feeling of being "in control" and a desired level of well-being

Imagine my surprise when I woke up on Saturday to find I couldn't move my neck or lift my head. For the entire day, even the slightest motion caused extreme pain. I couldn't turn my head left OR right! I wore a neck brace and every time I had to get up out of a chair I had to have help. Even the motion of getting up out of a chair could not be taken for granted, let alone getting up out of bed to go to the bathroom in the night!

And so, this "acute wry neck," got me wondering about what else we take for granted.

Today, although I can get out of a chair on my own, I still cannot go to work. I don't need a neck brace, but the act of jarring my neck with each step is rather painful. Slowly but surely, I can get up out of my bed, but I can't stir the chili I was trying to make for supper.

What else do we do in our lives that we take for granted?

" The hand of the Lord is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind." Job 12:10

While I struggle with dizziness, tingling arms and hands, and an upset stomach, and while I sit for an afternoon of Star Trek, I can't help but think about all that God controls in this universe, from the number of the stars, to the number of hairs on my head.

Can you imagine a love so great?

A couple of Sundays ago in church I could barely sing this song without tears:

How Deep the Fathers Love,
written by Stuart Townend

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen one
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no powers, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom