Rise and Shine

As the sun begins to rise, casting a warm golden hue across the sky, I wake up with an infectious excitement bubbling within me, eagerly anticipating my first day of teaching summer Bible school. As I quietly enter the bathroom to get ready, Ericka heads downstairs to look after our dog, Sampson. By the time I make my way down, a nutritious breakfast awaits me. I settle at our modest table, relishing a steaming bowl of oatmeal adorned with fresh bananas and a touch of honey, while I contemplate the lessons for the day, and the lively stories I’m eager to share with the curious young students. Once I finish my meal, I lace up my tennis shoes so we can take Sampson on a leisurely walk before the day's demands take over.

As we stroll through the tranquil parking lot of the apartment, we navigate between parked cars until we reach the street. The moment we step onto the sidewalk, the sweet sounds of chirping birds and the soft rustling leaves surround us. Anticipating the laughter, learning, and connections that lie ahead, each step pulls me nearer to sharing the joyful lessons that have influenced my faith. Overcome with excitement, I begin to sing, “Rise and shine and give God your glory, glory. Rise and shine…” I skip ahead of Ericka and Sampson while singing, my spirit as bright as the morning sun. Lost in the rhythm and melody, I miscalculate the edge of the sidewalk, and before I know it, my foot twists awkwardly against the unforgiving concrete. A sharp jolt of pain shoots through my ankle, as if the universe pauses for a moment, allowing the chorus to echo in my mind while reality crashes around me. I collapse onto the newly laid sod, clutching my ankle in agony. 

With wide eyes, Ericka, who had been watching my merry spectacle, hurried to my side. Despite the significant pain I was experiencing, we struggled to contain our laughter at the absurdity of the situation. Yet, when I tried to get up, I groaned in pain, causing our laughter to fade quickly. Realizing I couldn't walk home, Ericka quickly went to fetch the car. Upon her return, I managed to get on my feet and hobbled toward the vehicle. She removed my shoe to examine my ankle and claimed it was just a sprain. I stubbornly maintained that it was broken, leading her to agree to take me to the emergency room. Her witty remarks and humorous banter made our journey to the hospital more bearable. Once we arrived and the nurse guided us to the waiting room, I couldn't help but reflect on the irony of needing an X-ray following my impromptu performance. Would I come away with a funny story to tell, or would a broken ankle derail my summer plans?

Seated in the lively emergency room, I found myself anxiously waiting for an X-ray while sharp pain shot through my ankle. Despite Ericka's insistence that the swelling and discomfort were merely due to a sprain, I was determined to get the necessary imaging. As I nervously occupied my chair in the crowded waiting area, characterized by the faint scent of antiseptic and a backdrop of anxious chatter, Ericka sat next to me. Her cheerful smile was a stark contrast to my worried expression. The overhead fluorescent lights flickered occasionally, adding to my discomfort as the ominous throb from my ankle persisted. Leaning closer, Ericka teased with a raised eyebrow, saying, “Oh, come on; it’s just a sprain! You’re being so dramatic!” Shooting her a sideways glance, my mind was flooded with memories of the comical fall that left me sprawled on the ground, clutching my injured ankle. “A sprain?” I shot back, pretending to be offended while discreetly assessing the pain. “No way! It’s definitely broken; I might need a full cast!” Ericka burst out laughing, her eyes shining with mischief, and I couldn't help but join in our playful exchange, even as the dull ache in my ankle reminded me of my situation. Amid the anxiety that filled the waiting room, this moment of camaraderie offered a peculiar sense of comfort while we waited for an X-ray.

As the technician placed the x-ray film into the viewer, the bright white illumination exposed the actual condition of my ankle, validating Ericka's doubts: it was, without a doubt, just a sprain. The evidence lay bare, a tangle of shadows and lighter hues framing the joint where I had insisted to myself it was broken. In that stark environment, I felt a twinge of embarrassment as I revisited the comical dance leading up to this moment. Back in the emergency room, a nurse wrapped my ankle before I was transported to our car in a wheelchair. During the journey home, my pride weighed more heavily than the pain in my ankle; I had led myself to believe it was broken, disregarding Ericka's assertion that it was merely a simple twist. While Ericka celebrated her accurate assessment, I found myself chuckling, acknowledging that I might have been slightly overdramatic.

Once home, I settled onto the couch, my foot propped up on a pile of pillows, a makeshift throne for my temporarily incapacitated self. Ericka threw a blanket over my legs, her kind eyes sparkling with compassion as she busied herself in the kitchen, all while recalling our misadventure with a delightful flair. “You’ll be alright, my dramatic queen,” she quipped, tossing a playful wink my way. “Just consider this a divine intervention—now you have a story to share at Bible school tomorrow!”

As golden rays of the afternoon sun streamed through the window, bathing our comfortable living room in warmth, I couldn’t contain my smile. The atmosphere felt unusually serene, despite the morning's unexpected turn. I grabbed my journal and began to jot down the day's events, reflecting on how laughter and camaraderie had lightened my mood, even amidst the pain. The simple act of sharing this moment with Ericka transformed my initial frustration into gratitude.

The following day at Bible school, I rested with my foot elevated, grinning as I led the children in singing "Rise and Shine." When their youthful voices harmonized in song, it dawned on me that even after my literal stumble, the melody brought me immense happiness. Still today, the playful song and dance from that morning linger in my memory, serving as a testament to how joy and connection can emerge from the most surprising situations. In that unexpected moment, Ericka and I strengthened our bond, and the adventure enriched our relationship significantly.