The one God designed and gave me for my time on earth lasted over 78 years. I just hope the man-made one I’ll be getting on October 8th will last until I get the new eternal body God has promised me. Yes, it’s time for a total knee replacement.
I assume you’ve noticed the handrail on the platform, and have watched me carefully make my way to the pulpit with a cane. Hopefully, those days will soon be over. How soon, I’m not sure.
I met with the doctor last week and he outlined what I should expect during recovery. He said when I get home, I’ll feel great. But once the spinal wears off, I’ll really need the meds he’s prescribed. After a couple of weeks of agony and PT, I should start feeling better. After four weeks I should be doing pretty well, and after six I might actually think this was a good idea.
So, I guess it’s time for a vacation, or what I’ve heard preachers refer to as a sabbatical. I must confess I’m not really sure what’s supposed to be done on a sabbatical, but I doubt it’s laying around the house in a recliner with ice water circulating around a swollen knee.
Whatever you want to call it, I’m planning to be out of the pulpit for four weeks. Mark will be preaching for the last three weeks of October, and Levi will be preaching on the first of November. And yes, you heard that right.
As you may have guessed, we will be having a youth Sunday on November 1st. Teens will be leading in all aspects of the morning worship service, and my grandson, Levi Hunley, will be preaching.
I’m really looking forward to Levi’s sermon, but I’m also looking forward to Mark’s planned series on discipleship. I hope to be back in a pew for at least some of Mark’s sermons, but can pretty much guarantee I’ll be back in church for youth Sunday. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to lead Wednesday and Sunday night studies, but am confident they will be well led when I’m not there.
I’ve learned to adjust to the limitations I’ve had for eight months, but I’m really looking forward to once again going on walks with Marilyn.
God Bless, Rick
