If you have not read JRap's blog, Swaddling Clothes, please read it first. It (and God) inspired this blog.

I'm in two walking casts these days, you can see them in my picture. They have a stiff heel so they allow me to walk a little within their tight support. Made with a steel frame, they have thick layers of soft fleecelike nylon, a mile or so of velcro, and built-in air chambers I can can expand. The grey round area is the pump. When fastened and inflated, they restrict all movement that could further damage me and provide a safe cocoon for my swollen, tender ankles. They swaddle my feet and legs.

On one hand, they are bad Ugg boot wannabes. they weigh about 8 pounds a piece, and since I started to wear them, my dog no longer sleeps at the foot of my bed. (makes me wonder if I've kicked her while asleep or something)

On the other hand, they are the very tool the doctor uses to protect my feet and make them better.

I came to a painful understanding of this concept last night. I took a shower. Now, that might not seem so monumental to most, but with two broken ankles, it is a great task and sometimes the highlight of my day. This is the ONLY time the boots come off. Once I slip my feet out of them the clock is ticking. It only takes about five minutes for the ache to set in. I know I should be quick and get them back into their cocoons as soon as possible. But last night the hot water felt so good on my neck and shoulders. After two weeks, my legs were peeling and needed to be exfoliated. yuck. I gave into the temptation to stay longer. My feet didn't hurt so much.

Then I had to get out. Once I moved my feet the pain flames shot up my legs. I held back the tears as my husband tried to dry them as gently as he could. Once they were back cradled in the safe warm walking casts, the pain subsided. I could breathe easier and relax a little. Still, my ankles throbbed far into the night. I had fallen to temptation and paid the consequences. While my casts held me close and took away much of the pain, they could not erase the after-effects of my transgression. I had learned my lesson.

I used to have trouble with this verse. When I heard the word YOKE, I thought of an oxen team pulling a heavy wagon. I pictured a slave.

Dictionary.com's definition #7 for yoke is something that couples or binds together; a bond or tie. Maybe Jesus meant that his yoke is a tool that swaddles us and binds us together, with each other and under the gentle guidence of Abba, God our Father. A tool that makes carrying the heavy burdens much easier. A swaddle that attempts to restrict action that would damage us. A protective cocoon-like layer that would cast us and shape us into his perfect image.

My walking casts could be defined as such a tool.

And why do I wear these casts? because my ankles are BROKEN and need to be HEALED.

Peace and Agape, my friends;

Aunt Klutzie