This week I started physical therapy.  I had my first session today and the therapist took some measurements while she made me touch my toes and do some other stretches.  She also used a measuring device to test the strength of my knees and feet while she pushed on them.  (I hope the scale went high enough…just sayin’.)  These activities were designed to get some baseline data in regard to my strength and range of motion following my back surgery which took place 6 months ago.  I am a little bit stiff following the surgery.  This is natural due to the invasiveness of the procedure, a little bit of scar tissue, lack of movement and I suppose from wearing the brace for last 6 months.  The measurements taken today will help the therapist to track my progress and help me to know how well I am doing.  I was told that I will probably only have to come back one time per week for 4 weeks.  This week I was given a modified hamstring stretching routine called the “Sciatic Nerve Glide” and a stretching exercise for my back that can be done standing up, called the “Standing back extension” or lying on my stomach, called “Press ups”.   I can tell you that I did not feel any pain when I went to the therapy session but I did have a little bit after I walked out!

I have enjoyed my first week of “NO RESTRICTIONS”.  It still sounds good to say it, “NO RESTRICTIONS”.  Hah!  I like that.  When I asked my doctor about that last week and what it meant, specifically if I could begin to lift weights again, he interrupted me and said, “No restrictions”.  I asked him about running and he said, “No restrictions”.  Then I asked him about basketball.  He said, “Wellllllll.  Even though I have released you to all activities, you ought to wait until you get a better range of motion and more of you usual strength back.”  It seems like “No restrictions” doesn’t necessarily mean no restrictions.  It reminds me of what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:23

All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable.  1 Cor 10:23

Paul was talking about the fact that the Christians in his day were free to eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols – if they were okay with it fine, but they needed to remember, it might be a stumbling block for their neighbor.  It might be “lawful” and not restricted for them to do but in some ways it might not be profitable.  For instances they might invite a neighbor over for dinner and place one of those steaks on their plate and it could cause a problem.  The neighbor might not understand that the idol had no sway over them and that person might be offended in such a way that it shakes their faith.  Paul says, eating that meat might not be a big deal to you, but because it is a big deal to someone else, be wise and use some discretion.  Sure it’s lawful but not profitable.  Paul talked about the same thing in Romans 14 and even expanded it to whether or not one should worship on Saturday or Sunday.  “Each person must be persuaded in his own mind” (Romans 14:5) and “we should never cause our brother to stumble” Romans 14:21.

As for me, I do not want to cause myself to stumble as I begin to get back into my exercise routine.  I have been told that I have the freedom to exercise with no restrictions – BUT I should do it sensibly.  All things are lawful but not all things are profitable.  I need to use discretion.  As always, pray for me that I will have patience.

If you would like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can send me an email directly at pastorpstephens@aol.com