“See, I am doing a new thing! 
       Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? 
       I am making a way in the desert 
       and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)

As many of you know, in 1998 I suffered a stress fracture in my L-5/S-1, which later was diagnosed as a congenital disorder called Spondylolythesis. This diagnosis forced a dramatic life change and a huge identity crisis. The doctors told me I would have to learn to move through life in a new way. No more bending over backwards. No more living-life-n-the-fast-lane. No more overachieving. And, so, after years and years of finding my way on this new path, I think I have settled down a bit. At least internally!  So often, when a chapter in our life comes to a close, we can’t fathom how God will bring any good out of it. When I received that dreaded diagnosis, life was hard. Really, really hard. But, God did a very deep work in my life. 

Last night, a friend asked me if I would be interested in choreographing or dancing in a future church service. Without a minute’s hesitation, I said, “No.” She was a bit bewildered because she knew me then. She knew what dance meant to me. But, God, in His infinite wisdom, brought new things into my life. Things I could never have imagined. 

Our God is in the business of doing new things. This past September, my husband urged me—pressed me, actually—to come to a “hot yoga” class with him at the gym. Begrudgingly, I succumbed to his persistence. Stretching in 80-90 degree heat? Are you kidding me? Well, 7 months later, I am hooked! The intense heat warms my muscles. The intense atmosphere of silence warms my heart. After my injury, I became an avid student of the spiritual disciplines of silence, solitude and meditation. They countered my Type-A, driven personality. I conclude that God’s deepest work has been to teach me the fine art of balance. The beauty of living in the moment. The deep joy of contentment. 

This past week, while in my yoga class, I suddenly found myself actually doing a headstand. I haven’t done a headstand in almost 30 years! OH, it felt so good. All I could do was laugh out loud! “Well,”  I said to my teacher. “I have to share this with everyone! I am almost 50 years old and I did a headstand! And, that wasn’t even on my NU NEST LIST OF THINGS TO DO (see my “THREE TUESDAYS IN AUGUST blogs), but I did it!” 

So, here’s to NEW THINGS! I pray this encourages you today. Perhaps you have something difficult in your life that is very hard to understand. Perhaps God is closing a door that you never thought would close. I thought I would be a dance teacher/worship dance leader for the rest of my life. But God had another plan. A very good plan. Trust him today. Hold his hand and let him guide your every step. Who knows, maybe you will do something so extraordinary, like a headstand (smile)! 

(Big thanks to my yoga teacher extraordinaire, Cheryl!)