Stiffnecked

There's nothing like a stiff neck to tempt you to become stiffnecked!

A couple of weeks ago, I hurt my neck while helping a friend move a piano.  I thought I'd save my back so I laid on my side and put my shoulder against the piano and pushed with my legs against a wall. 
Apparently that was a bad idea.
For a couple of days, I just had monster headaches. 
Then, my neck just felt stiff and out of whack for a few days.  I thought it would eventually work itself out.
It was getting worse and worse, and by day 10 I was thinking I might need some professional help.
Overnight, all of the pain and tension switched from one side to the other and got much worse. 

I went to the chiropractor.  It felt great to have all of those kinks worked out. 
He told me I need to take it easy for a few days so the adjustment could settle in. 
I had no idea I was in for 3 days of excruciating pain. 
This is not as bad as a spinal headache or childbirth, but it is the next worst thing I've felt.

If I take some ibuprophen and sleep for a couple of hours, I can get up and feel normal for a few hours.
I am thankful for that. 
It made it possible for us to go to Jumpin Jacks with the home schoolers yesterday. 
It made the long-awaited trip to the mall to get the boys new shoes doable.
It made the Pinewood Derby go okay. 
The temple was pretty rough, but we made it!

For the most part, I haven't let it get me down too much.  It has been fun to read A Girl of the Limberlost.  It has been nice to rest. 
But I'm finding my temper is getting shorter and my desire to do any work is completely gone. 

How do I not feel discouraged by that?
How do I not feel like I'm losing precious ground so recently obtained?
What do I even pray for? 

I have been praying every day that I am thankful for this trial, but I haven't actually felt like that is true.  It is more of an experiment.
 I actually really, really want it to go away.  I pray for that, too.
I wish I could welcome it and face it with courage and gratitude. 
I want to use it for spiritual growth, become a better person for it. 
I wish I could endure without complaint.

I guess I have to be satisfied that I think I've endured it a little better than I would have a year ago. 
I've at least thought about being thankful.  I've desired the spiritual growth.  I've complained a little less and pressed forward a little more.  I've enjoyed and embraced the chance for quiet and rest.  I've apologized and mended feelings when my temper got the best of me.
I made dinner and changed diapers and drove kids to their end of year party for dance class and prepared a spotlight for Brandon to earn his Arrow of Light. 

And for one full hour, I chose to enjoy the two little people who hopped on my bed while I was resting. 
My legs were a boat.  They rowed and rowed and then fell out onto the pillows. 
My fingers were pickles.  "Cut the pickle, tickle tickle!"
My lips were blessed with several magical kisses.
And it didn't hurt my neck a bit!