Jerri Phillips

This morning I stayed home to sleep while my family went to church because I spent the night battling this respiratory virus. I turned on the coffee and figured I would move two terracotta pots of Aspargus Ferns so they could get more light before the coffee was finished. I was wrong.

I picked up the first pot in the absolute perfect way that caused a crack to break free and a fourth of the pot to lose its grip. The weight of the pot pulled it from the fingers of the other hand. A fraction of a second later, the bottom edge of the pot landed on my big toe.

Seconds later excruciating pain left me nauseated and light headed.

My toe turned colors, and actions had to be taken to relieve the pressure under my toenail.

Even now, ten hours later, I cannot put a Band Aid on it but have to keep it loosely wrapped in gauze. If I walk to the kitchen, I feel queasy by the time I'm back on the couch. I was supposed to take the children to meet friends for lunch tomorrow, but I don't see me driving anywhere. Getting in a position to sleep is challenge enough.

No. Not what I would declare as my ideal day, and yet...

God is faithful, and because of that, I can be thankful for Cracked Pots. I'm thankful:

1. for the presence of mind to pick up a phone on the way to the couch to elevate my foot.
2. for cell phones so I could call Rob to come home.
3. that Rob had not dropped off the children to their classes at church but could immediately turn around instead of spending time waiting in line to get the children from their classes
4. for Brian picking up the phone although it was early and they went to church last night and could sleep in if he ignored the ringing.
5. for Debra who talked on the phone with me and helped me form a plan for relieving the pressure under my toenail untill Rob got home.
6. for Chris who returns phone calls
7. for small drill bits that easily make painless holes .
8. for having the sense NOT to put the bit in the drill to make the hole.
9. for alcohol to soak the drill bit.
10. for Janet who is a nurse with a heart of gold.
11. for two hours of conversation with a sweet friend while my toe bled, soaked, and healed.
12. for children who laid hands on me and prayed.
13. for a husband who hates the sight of blood but emptied bowl after bowl of bloody water and replaced it with hot water so my foot could soak.
14. for hot water from a tap that doesn't have to be heated over a fire.
15. for Epsom Salt.
16. for gauze.
17. for all the physical education teachers who drilled ICE into my head: Ice. Compress. Elevate.
18. for fluffy pillows for propping my foot up.
19. for a precious son who reads sweet books to me while I stare in awe at the glorious masterpiece God has set before my eyes.
20. for a husband who can cook.
21. for a family who can clean up after themselves.
22. for the luxury of being a stay-at-home mom so I can put my foot up tomorrow if I need to do so.
23. that God can take a cracked pot and make it a blessing.
24. that even in the purple of a smashed toe the Lord allows me to see the love of the King for His children.