This week it has been two years since my back surgery. My back is feeling very good. Yesterday I went to a local recreation center and played full court basketball for 2.5 hours with guys who ranged from 16 to 19 years old. Considering I am 30 years older than most of the guys on the court I think things went very well. I was running the fast break the whole two hours and I was on a team that held the court for an hour and a half. My legs felt good and today I am able to walk upright. The surgery was a very good decision for me and the Lord blessed me with a very good outcome.
On this blog that I started following the back surgery I have learned of some who have faced some very difficult times and not had similar success stories with their surgeries. I have learned of others who have had wonderful results. While I am aware that everyone’s situation is different and that not everyone has a similar story in regard to their recovery, I know that one thing is always constant. If you place your faith in Him, God always has your back. The Apostle Paul spoke of a burden that he carried in 2 Corinthians chapter 12. He referred to it as a “thorn in the flesh.” Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:8 – 9
2 Cor 12:8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Perhaps your story is different than mine. Perhaps you have a thorn in the flesh and you have seen some doctors and your results have varied. I pray that you will have relief. I pray that you will be healed. But over and above that I pray that you will know that if you place your faith in the Lord, HIS GRACE WILL BE SUFFICIENT FOR YOU! He will sustain you. He will keep you. He will comfort you. He will hold you until the time that relief comes. Place your faith in Him and know that His grace is sufficient for you.
God has your back! 
Hi pastor Stephens, This is Chris, my wife Julie has been reading me your blog and different posts during my recovery. They have been very helpful. I just have a couple of questions for you and hope you wouldn’t mind? I was curious about your age when you had your surgury? Also, I read where you were lifting sheetrock as part of your job. Where you still doing this at the time of your surgery? I guess what I am getting at is that I am concerned that my profession contributed to me not only having back surgury 10 days ago but also neck surgery 10 months ago. Needless to say I am more than nervous about returning to work. Where you pastoring before your surgery or what was your job before surgery? And finally did your surgery bring about any changes in career choice? I have been praying for God to bless my with somthing I am passionate about and I can’t help but wonder if this is not part of it?
Hi Chris, I am grateful to hear from you. Feel free to email me directly at pastorpstephens@aol.com with any other questions you may have – whether they relate to back surgery, pulled hamstrings, kidney stones or my experiences in the ministry or anything else. I was 21 years old when I started carrying drywall and we carried two pieces at a time by ourselves whether they were 8 ft or 12 ft pieces. It was heavy, about 120-180 lbs and we carried it all day long. I think that served to wear down the disc a little bit in my back…didn’t help my shoulders too much either. My primary problem though was the spondilolythesis, the fact that my vertebrae were out of line. As the song says, “Baby I was born that way.” I have been out of line many times and in many places and being out of line at the L4 and L5 caused the disc there to easily become inflamed and the muscles to become tight. Thus, the back problems which gradually became worse over the years as the disc wore down.
I hauled drywall for 3.5 years, the majority of time I attended the University of Texas at Austin. After that I began to work in insurance as an underwriter. I spent a couple of years at a smaller company and then I got on with Farmers Insurance. I have been there for over 23 years now. Which brings me to the age of 49…for 5 more weeks!
I worked in a commercial underwriting department for a long time and oftentimes I would have to go speak to inform agents in the field about what was going on relative to polices like Farm and Ranch, Workers Comp, etc. I had finally started going back to church for a couple of years after being out for a LOT of years. I had two kids now and I felt the Lord impressing upon me the need to be a good steward of the family He had blessed me with. I was being blessed at church, my spirit was being fed, I was working on improving my walk of faith and things were heading in a good direction. One evening while on a road trip I was laying in my hotel room reading the Bible reflecting on what a good day it was. The subject had to do with Farm and Ranch policies and I just kept thinking how much better a day it would have been if I could have been sharing some of the things I had been learning in God’s word. I prayed for more guidance from Him on that matter.
The Lord kept impressing that same thought upon me and pretty soon He opened a door for me to lead a Sunday school class. He kept leading and guiding. Sometimes the path went directions I did not expect. Sometimes it seemed like the trip was taking too long but I know that my journey is not over. I still work at the same insurance company but now I also pastor a church. Just keep asking Him to lead you and guide you. Take advantage of opportunities that He provides. The Lord directs our path but it is up to us to move our feet.
Pastor Stephons, thanks for the reply. I know God is moving in my life. Sometimes its just scary to let go and be totally submissive. Julie and I have two fantastic young men. Clay -almost 18- and Will almost 14. We lead the youth group at our church and teach sunday school for the high school kids. I have also been the sunday school superientendant, as well as thought the adult sunday school class in a pinch. It seems that everything has been put on hold since my back problems started and then my surgery. It has given my some time to think about what I want the next phase of my life to be. One thing for sure, I know my purpose is to glorify God. I am just not sure how or what? I just have to have the courage to jump. Thanks again.
I am scheduled for surgery October 1, 2013. I have spondylolithesis, disc is gone at L5-S1 space so will have a spacer put in and L4-5 S1 fused together. Is surgery the right way to go? This web page has me thinking it is the right thing to do. Neurosurgeon I went to said it is my only option. Looking for input. Thank you
Hi Donna, I am sorry that I missed your comment amongst the midst of other comments. I apologize for my error and delay in responding to you. I hope that you are doing well. Did you decide to do the surgery? I have had very good results. My surgery was about 2.5 years ago and I feel very good. I have played basketball for 3 times in the last week for at least 2 hours each time. This is in addition to my other work outs. My knees are a little sore – but then again I am 50 years old. So that is to be expected. My back is doing well though.
Please feel free to email me directly at pastorpstephens@aol.com if you have any questions you may have. I do wish you well in whatever you decide. May God bless you and those you love.
In Christ,
Pastor Phillip
I just had my 10 week check. January 1 I can go back to doing all I did before. I will start with physical therapy in January. I have had complete success so far. I am so glad I was led to your blog and had the surgery. I am pain free. Merry Christmas and God bless You