“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” That’s kind of what happened to me, only the foundation wasn’t destroyed, it was just gone. I fell down an entire flight of marble steps (10 of them) in May, without remembering how it happened. I guess my mind decided to block it out.
Hubby kept asking me what had happened. And all I can say is that it is not advisable to walk aroun in a dark room with your eyes closed and half asleep! But I finally realized that’s what I had done. Until, disoriented, I stepped off the top landing, thinking I was still in the bedroom. And stepped into nothingness (if that’s even a word).
When your foundation disappears
1. 🏰 Every stronghold crumbles
All I remember is spinning through the air, trying to grab on to something, but there nothing was there. I’m not sure when I hit the stairs, only that it was from a height. But I don’t remember it.
I found myself lying in a crumpled heap on the bottom landing. My first thought after I realized how badly I’d fallen was: “Oh my God, I’m still alive! Jesus helped me!” And I realized that I was seriously injured.
My first thought after realizing what a fall I’d taken was: “Oh my, I’m still alive! Jesus helped me!” And I realized I was seriously injured.
After 15 hours of tests and waiting in the emergency room, I finally got to see an orthopedic doctor. (Emergency rooms, it seems to me, are experts at taking forever to attend to patients.) By that time, I was confused, exhausted, and in immense pain, despite of the morphine they eventually gave me.
2. ❓ All that’s left is confusion
The doctor I saw advised against surgery, saying my fracture should heal on its own with a month of bed rest. I was all alone because family members without a green pass were denied entrance because of the pandemic restrictions. But that’s when I needed my husband’s support and advice the most.
I was alone, because with virus restrictions family members are not allowed in the ER. Even though that’s when I most needed Hubby’s support and counsel.
I chose bed rest because I was too confused to ask questions. And when the doctor said, “That’s what I would do too, if I were you,” so I thought I had made the best decision.
3. 😰 Faith wavers, discouragement and fear rule
As you can imagine, it was a tough time. Lying flat on your back for 40 days is hard. So is inactivity, at least for me. On top of that, I kept dreaming that I was falling again.
I also felt terrible that Hubby had to do everything. Including getting me out of bed and helping me to the bathroom. We were both exhausted. And I was afraid that I would remain a burden to him if for some reason I couldn’t ever get up and go back to a to normal life.
But Christ is a sure foundation
Well, to make a long story short, I finally saw a surgeon at my first checkup after 40 days. Thankfully, my scapula had healed. But he scheduled an emergency surgery because my crushed vertebra wasn’t healing.
Two days later I was able to get up and walk to the bathroom by myself. And after a few weeks, I could even walk up the stairs!
The kyphoplasty surgery I had is miraculous, done with only local anesthesia and minimally invasive. I’m grateful for it and wish I had known about it sooner!
Three weeks later, I’m happy to report that I continue to improve. The pain is decreasing, my mobility is increasing, and I should be back to normal soon. We even celebrated at our favorite pizzeria!
But God. He was there the whole time. The foundation wasn’t, but He was. And I’m convinced He caught me as I fell. Later we heard about a woman in our area who had fallen down the stairs and died of a broken neck.
And with him everything changes
1. ❤️ Our heart becomes grateful
So I lay in bed and thanked Him that I was still alive. I thanked Him that it wasn’t worse, that Hubby was could be home take care of me. I thanked him for the wonderful, selfless care he gave me. And for everyone who wrote, called, and visited bringing plants, flowers, food, and so much more.
2. 🙏 Trust and faith are restored
I was in pain. A lot of pain at first. But I knew the Lord had kept me. Why He didn’t stop it all, I’ll never know. And I became grateful for the school He had me in, because I still have so much to learn.
I a lot of books while listening to my Youtube playlist of hymnal instrumentals. I read or listened to the Word. I called on God. I basked in His presence, which became sweeter and sweeter as the days went by.
For me, the floor had disappeared – but not my foundation. Jesus, our Rock, was always there. He is a foundation that never fails. He answers our cries and carries our burdens.
3. ✝️ Fear and discouragement flee
With his help, I worked through my fears and discouragement. For I knew that even if I remained bedridden or paralyzed everything would be OK. Sure, it would have been a challenge.
But no matter what, God would always be with me – in bed or walking, sick or well. And I would be resting on the firmest foundation any of us could ever have. Jesus, the solid rock.
4. 🎶 Rejoicing becomes a continual song
This became my song, my continual rejoicing:
He brought me out of the miry clay,
Henry J Zelley, 1898
He set my feet on the Rock to stay;
He puts a song in my soul today,
A song of praise, hallelujah!
And that will be my song forever. My prayer for you today is that it will be your song as well. We have a solid rock. No matter what happens or what we have to endure, He will keep us safe in His care.
📷 Image credits: man falling; hand catching man
Signora Sheila 
24 responses to “When Your Foundation Falls Away”
Sorry to hear about your difficulty. Thrilled to hear God is your sure foundation. I will be praying for your continued strength and improvement.
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Thank you so much Karen. God has been my help and strength through it all. What ever would we do without him?
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Happy to hear you are much better! God is good!
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Thank you so much, Deborah Marie. Yes, God is so good!!
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Sheila, I am glad that you are getting better and that you took the opportunity to press into the Lord. Your hubby is amazing. Please thank him for me for his wonderful care of you. God truly had you in His hand. May our Jehovah-Rapha, God our Healer, continue to heal you completely and fill you with great joy. Karen
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Thank you so much, Karen. And I will thank him again!!
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What a beautiful testimony of God’s faithfulness as your firm foundation during your very difficult time. And a beautiful testimony of your faithfulness to God. I read something recently that your experience made me think of: God’s providence does not cushion His people from trials. We trust His providence and goodness even in the trials. I’m very thankful that you did just that, and also happy that you had the needed surgery and are much better. Take care, Sheila, and God’s continued blessings be yours.
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Oh, I love that quote Patty! It’s so true. We are not spared from having trials, but we can trust him in the midst of them. And that is what makes all the difference! Thank you so much for your well wishes, my friend!
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I’m so grateful the Lord held you at that moment, giving you what you needed to not sustain anything fatal. I also value your honesty in sharing the story–it’s a true miracle to see how He protected you, but the process was challenging. Thank you for your faith and faithfulness in sharing about God’s glory in and through your life. You have seen the hope of the Lord and live it. It’s an encouragement to all of us.
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Thank you, Dayle! It is so wonderful the way God worked through it all. His beyond amazing!!
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It is so good to hear from you, Sheila! It is very hard, sometimes, to let others do for us, but think of the reward that they receive for their selfless service. I think God brings so much more out of our circumstances than we can ever see this side of heaven. Praise God for your loving husband. Sounds like he is a gem.
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So true, Linda. It is hard to let others do for us, and so hard to be so dependent. I think it was a preparation course for my oldest years – a lesson in remaining agreeable in spite of pain, and all the rest. May God grant his grace if that should come. I know I’m still gleaning lessons from it all. But one thing I know for sure even more than I already did. My hubby is indeed a gem. He is the most loving and Christlike person I know. I am so blessed to walk by his side – emphasis on walk!!
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Wonderful testimony. God is good. So glad you’re doing better!
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God is good, and the way he works is indeed wonderful. Thanks for your well wishes, Nancy!
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Awesome testimony! Thank you for the great reminder to see how God can work all things out. Praying for continued healing, provision and strength
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You’re so right, Tom. God brought an awesome testimony out of a horrible situation. It’s such a blessing that he is right there with us going through even the tough things of life. Thanks for your prayers. The prayers of God’s people brought me through!!
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Hi Sheila, glad you are okay! What a fiasco 😳. You are very brave and God was so good to you. I’m isolating at home for 5 days due to an exposure to covid and I’m pouting because I want to get out and live my life. The Lord is showing me the opportunity I have to spend more time with him during these days. Blessings to you💕
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Thank you so much! You’re right – it was a fiasco. But a fiasco that I know was totally in God’s hands!! But I am not brave – I was often scared, discouraged, and impatient. My only hope was to cling to God’s hand. His strength brought me through. His hope turned my mourning into dancing (at least on the inside)!! But I know what you mean about chafing at the bit. I remember our first super strict lockdown here in Italy. (When the only other country crazy enough to do it was communist China.) How we longed to go out and about!! But I’m grateful if my post reminded you of your great opportunity to spend more time with him. How we need that. And what a good reminder it is that all works for good in him!
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Thank God you made it through! You have an amazing story. Thank you for sharing your lessons. I will need to reread this tomorrow.
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Thanks Pastor Pete. And yes, all the thanks and praise goes to God. It was tough, but God is greater than any trial we go through. I’m so grateful for all that he has done!
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Praying for you during this very difficult time. God is with you!
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Thank you so much, David. Yes, God is with me! He is ever faithful!!
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So VERY glad to hear that you are on the mend, Sheila–almost back to normal! And I love the positive approach you took toward your healing, with praise and worship, mediation and just abiding in God’s presence. You are a role model for us of saintly suffering!
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Thank you so much, Nancy. But no, I am not a model for saintly suffering. I was often afraid, discouraged, frustrated, and impatient. The only thing I was (and am) a model for is his strength made perfect in weakness, and his grace abounding more where sin abounds much. It wasn’t so much that I was able to maintain a positive approach, as it was a drowning person clinging to a life rope. I knew I wouldn’t make it on my own!! But yes, praise the Lord – I’m improving daily!!
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