Graced with Grace

I should just say that if you’re squeamish, you probably shouldn’t read this!

On Thursday evening, whilst trying to do some washing up, I managed to practically split my little finger on my right hand in two when a glass broke in the washing up basin! It’s been the most impressive cut I think I’ve ever had – almost down to the bone, almost the whole length of my finger and literally pumping out blood! I wasn’t even squeamish when I saw this (and usually I am!) in fact, I was seriously impressed by the scale of it!

I didn’t realise at the time (by the grace of God, I had kicked straight into super-adrenaline action mode and knew straight away that I needed to get to a hospital as soon as possible) but blood was spraying out across the kitchen and the washing up water started turning red! My housemate Andrew had a big surprise when he walked in after Joel (other housemate who was an absolute legend in the whole situation, taking me to hospital and phoning up friends to figure out what to do!) and I legged it to get a taxi to the hospital.

Andrew and Christy were also absolute stars because they cleaned up all the blood before preparing for a Bible study that was due to happen in just under an hour after the incident! I’ve attached a few photos of drops of blood across our floor, and we keep on seeing more! It’s all quite exciting really!

So for the next two days or so, I’ve got to keep my little finger completely still – which means no writing, no shopping, no running, and certainly no Athenian public transport (which is always really packed – don’t want to bash it!) And for the next couple of weeks I’ve got to take it easy on the little finger…

Through this situation, I’ve learnt two things about God: he is good and he is in control.

God is really generous! Ever thought just how lucky it is that he is so generous? The healthcare system here is free for EU citizens, it’s also really quick, and the doctors did a great job in sewing me back up. I was back home just two hours after slashing my finger having been given five stitches, enough antibiotics for four days, a tetnus shot and an opportunity to learn some new Greek vocabulary!

Medicine is a wonderful gift that God’s given us! It’s the complete opposite of what we actually deserve for ignoring him – he not only postpones punishment for our rebellion against him, he also gives us wonderful gifts like medicine to make our lives easier and more comfortable.

God is really sovereign! This wasn’t some accident that fell outside of his control. He completely decided this should happen – and he did it that he might be glorified through it, and that it might be for my good. But how can being sliced in half do that?

I’m not going to try and second guess God’s reasons for doing this, but there are quite a few things I can’t do now, which means I can at the very least spend more time in prayer, Bible study and reading (something I had been praying earlier on in the week for motivation and space to do!) So for the next couple of days, I’ve decided to spend more time in prayer, Bible study, reading  and relaxing – things I’m reluctant to do because I’m such a busybody.

I’d really appreciate prayer that I’d use my freed up time wisely and that I make use of this extra opportunity for Bible reading and prayer, and obviously for my hand to heal up quickly! Please also join me in praising God for his generous gifts of medicine, doctors and hospitals and that he was really looking out for me through the whole situation.

And on a final note-please don’t worry about me being out here! My friends out here are taking good really good care of me: feeding me, making cups of tea, stocking me up on ibuprofen etc! They’re a great bunch – thanks guys!