Britta Lafont

Britta Lafont

  • Home
  • Hi! I’m Britta
  • Read the Blog
  • Contact Me
  • My Books
  • Speaking

January 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Five Lovely Lessons from a Stress Fracture: Lesson 2

Slider Posts· Wholeness

Wrong way

One injury can cause another

In 2016, from March till December, I nursed a hurt foot that interfered with my life on a daily basis. Injury to my left foot and my big toe (a.k.a. “The Great Toe”, thankyouverymuch) left me hobbling around for months. Then, my fourth doctor diagnosed a stress fracture—to the other side of my foot. Apparently one injury had caused the other, so I wore a medical boot for about three months.

All that time, I had a great opportunity to think about what God was teaching me. The most obvious lesson for me was that God designed our bodies to work a certain way. He knows us best and understands what is good for us and what isn’t. When we step outside of the boundaries He has created for us, it results in pain. And when we ignore pain for long enough, injury is inevitable.

They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result. That was lesson #2 for me in this process. I call it:

Doing things the wrong way,
over and over,
will hurt you

I have been in pain lately for a different reason. I have been lonely. Yes, I know. First-world problem. We moved to a new city (we love it), a new neighborhood (we love it), and a new church (we love it), but new friendships? They don’t come overnight.

I know about the old adage: You have to be a friend to have a friend—and one way to do this is by making yourself available.  I have joined a Bible study, the choir, the women’s prayer team, a life group, a Sunday school class, and signed up to be a greeter.  I’ve tried to DO all the right things, but friendships take something else that I haven’t done yet: time. We have only been here, physically, for six months, less if you count moving in.

It’s not important who does the planting,
or who does the watering.
What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.
1 Corinthians 3:7, NLT

God will make the friendship seed grow. I know He will, in time. I just have to be faithful to continue to do my part and wait.

Some days, I feel energized to get out there and work the ground, planting the seeds of friendship. Sometimes, I make plans or send a text, watering seeds that I have already planted. But other times, like today, I want to crawl into a hole in the ground instead of planting seeds in it. In fact, some days, like today, I go to Bible study and bawl for no apparent reason, but really it comes down the fact that it’s just too painful to feel like a stranger. Again.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.
For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls
and has not another to lift him up!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV

Here’s where my injury could become a stress fracture, if I ignore the pain:

Today, I was feeling invisible and needy and wanted to stay home, but I couldn’t justify it. So I went to that small, intimate gathering of women, and I couldn’t break out of my shell. If you know me, you might have trouble imagining this!

But the minute I opened my mouth, a dam burst, and a tear was shed for every word I spoke. Awkwardly, I brushed aside the salt water and all their concern, slowed my breathing, and stared hard into my lap for a year-long minute. I outlasted them in the quiet game and waited myself out of that painful spotlight.

Everyone moved on, except me. I still had the same pain I’d had when I arrived, except now it was worse because I had missed an opportunity to be real with God’s girls. The thing is, at this moment, I would do it all the same way, all over again. Or maybe I’d change this: I wouldn’t say a word and just keep a low profile?

Here’s the deal. I need to get over myself. Yes, I feel alone a lot here. This too shall pass. Decades in a military family—birth to college plus the last fifteen years—have shown me how to settle into a new place. And digging out of my hidey-hole is easier than it seems. Practicing gratitude is a great place to start. I have lots of delightful people in my life, even if they are hundreds or thousands of mile away from me. I’ve met a few wonderful women here already and I need to reach out to them. Most of all, I need to spend some time with the Lord and seek the comfort of His warmth.

One thing I know for sure: if I ignore the pain too long, it’s liable to break me. Because I learned something from having a stress fracture in my foot—doing things the wrong way, repeatedly, will hurt you.

Image Copyright: ezoom / 123RF Stock Photo

Share this:

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Print

Related

Don’t miss out!

Previous Post: « Five Lovely Lessons from a Stress Fracture: Lesson 1
Next Post: Five Lovely Lessons from a Stress Fracture: Lesson 3 »

Reader Interactions

Tell me what's on your heart: Cancel reply

Footer

Curate: collect and display evidence of God's goodness.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Want to come with?

In my typical social media introvert fashion, I re In my typical social media introvert fashion, I realize I didn’t share Gracie’s post on my feed at the time. 🤦🏻‍♀️
We are so thankful for this young man. ❤️ We are so thankful for this young man. ❤️
When the first day of school is also the day your When the first day of school is also the day your firstborn drives herself to college, it’s a lot. We moved her stuff into her dorm last week. Today she got up early to say goodbye to Dad (too early! Not pictured 😂), her brother, her doggo, her piano, and her momma. Before she left, she made blueberry scones to share with her little bro @sjoshlafont —they homeschool and relocated together, went to @westminsteroakmtn together, and have shared a love of music, Legos, superheroes (and villains), Transformers, and so much more. She played my favorite song. She even made banana bread to bring to her new roomie. @graciethenerd You are my little nut brown hare, and I love you to the moon and back. Auburn University is a better place because you are there! ❤️
Josh just started working in the bakery at Publix. Josh just started working in the bakery at Publix. Today he got his braces off. I just can’t believe it—where did the time go? @sjoshlafont
I’m a social media introvert mostly, but I’m r I’m a social media introvert mostly, but I’m reflecting today and feeling grateful for my sweet girl, my baby, my first-born. 🥰 She sure is a blessing to our family and her friends. Also, so grateful for the wonderful school where she spent the last four years—the perfect place to land after years of homeschooling on the move. “For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Ps 100:5) #curatingthegood #graduated🎓 #wisebeyondheryears @graciethenerd @lafonte04 @westminsteroakmtn
Best Thanksgiving that I can remember. I am so gra Best Thanksgiving that I can remember. I am so grateful for my people!! 🤗 ❤️@graciethenerd @thecardboardqueen @lafonte04 
#Psalm8 #highlandlakes #birminghamalabama
My friend @amy_young1234 is so generous! She has f My friend @amy_young1234 is so generous! She has found a way to share her birthday with friends all year long. This past week, I had to privilege to be her #FOTW You can read about her plan to celebrate her birthday by celebrating others in the link to her blog at the end of this post. That’s SO like Amy. 🤗 https://www.messymiddle.com/52-cards-52-weeks-52-years/ #curatingthegood
  • Got Enough?
  • You Need THIS
  • Got Joy?
  • You’re Called to THIS
  • Got Good?
  • You Were Made for THIS

Copyright © 2025 · beloved theme by Restored 316

 

Loading Comments...
 

    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.