Oops!

It's one of my favorite bags!  I don't have many reasons to carry it, but last Sunday it seemed the ideal way to tote extra objects to keep our two grandchildren occupied during church.  I sat in my usual seat - front row, beside my pastor husband; bag deposited underneath the pew.

When it was time for the "children's sermon" and the children were called to the front, I began to unobtrusively move to a side pew to make room for the children.  It was then that my foot became entangled with the straps on my beautiful bag!  I fell headlong into the aisle.  I remember a congregational gasp and the anxious faces of several men hovering over me inquiring about my well-being.

As you may imagine, my embarrassment matched my pain at the moment.  I WAS able to get to the side pew where I examined the rug burns on one knee and elbow.  A well-prepared young mother passed a bandage up to me for my bloody elbow.  There was no way to cover up the hole in my black hosiery  when I stood later to sing in a ladies' ensemble.

In the days to follow, I've nursed several stiff limbs and am still trying to find a comfortable sleep position!

That such an innocent and beautiful bag could become the source of such pain and humiliation reminds me of the Bible verse:  ""Make up your mind not to put ANY stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way"  (Romans 14:13), a warning Paul repeated in I Corinthians 8:9 and 2 Corinthians 6:3.  Even beautiful and seemingly innocent words or actions can result in harm if not properly placed!  You can be sure I'll be more careful the next time I carry this bag - and hopefully even more thoughtful about my words and actions!

13 comments:

  1. I'm sorry to hear that Rebecca. I hope that you are feeling better soon.
    I think the last paragraph is very thought provoking. Sometimes, strangely enough, words are what we are least careful with and they they are the things that wound the soul and they are the things that we will be judged for as much as for our actions. It's such a sobering thought to think of all the things we say that we will never be able to retrieve. And I talk a lot so I've said many things I regret and many careless words!
    God bless you and yours during this poignant Easter celebration.
    Love Colleen

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  2. Oh Rebecca, what a wonderful reminder your last paragraph is.

    Have a blessed Resurection Sunday. He's alive!

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  3. And to think I was going to say what a cute bag, did you make it? I am sorry you took a tumble Rebecca. It is embarrassing.I remember one time going the wrong way for communion, that was pretty embarrassing! The whole congregation was behind me watching! I just chalked it up to being an idiot at times and thought that God must have gotten a good laugh that Sunday! Anyway I hope your soreness wears off soon! Have a Blessed weekend! Love Di ♥

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  4. So glad you didn't break any bones! May God bless you and give you a swift recovery.

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  5. I hope you're back up and "climbing" soon!

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  6. The sleeping position is what I relate too so much Rebecca. After breaking an ankle from a 6ft. high fall, it was the resulting back pain that made it even worse, sleeping comfortably was a problem for 3 months and I had a cast up past my knee. It was a bad time! I do hope it's just muscle soreness and nothing more serious. The purse is still beautiful!
    ♥...Wanda

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  7. Hope the pain is just from muscle soreness and nothing more serious, Rebecca and that it clears up quickly. I had trouble sleeping for 3 months after breaking an ankle, with the resulting back pain, from the 6 ft. fall.
    ♥...Wanda

    The purse is still beautiful!

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  8. Oh I am sorry you fell, hope all is well now Rebecca. Happy Easter my dear friend...:-) Hugs

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  9. Sorry about your fall...did you have the instinct to jump up real quick like nothing happened or hopefully no one saw the fall? I always have that response. With my bum leg I stumble all the time. I chuckled at the way you wrote a "congregational gasp." I am sure this will be remembered long after you have tried to forget it. The bag is pretty. Hope your stiffness and soreness goes away soon.

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  10. Praise God you did not break any bones, praying for.

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  11. I've got two Sunday bags that I sometimes carry in addition to my purse (one from Bolivia, one from the Cove); seems I've always got extra stuff with four children and my Bible. I've yet to make such a graceful entrance in the aisle as you did this past Sunday, but as far as my heart is concerned? Always tripping up, sister.

    You fall in good company.

    Blessed Resurrection morning to you and yours.

    peace~elaine

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  12. You are one of the few folks who can take something hurtful and find the opportunity for grace within it.

    Hugs, Jean

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  13. Oh no, Rebecca! So sorry this happened and I'm sure the embarassment was as bad as the painful fall. I'm visualizing the look on your hubby's face...Hope you get all healed up soon, inside and out! Thanks for the reminder about our words...so true!

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Writing a Song a Week #3

Writing a Song a Week #3
♪ I wait for the Lord; my soul waits and in his word I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning ♪ (Psalm 130:5-6)