The Pressing Before The Pouring: A Final Reflection from this Recovery Season

The idea for this post came to me a few days ago as I struggled to transition from my post-surgical binder to a compression garment that I can wear long-term. Compression is key for recovery. Day 15 and I've finally settled into one that I'll be in for the next 8 weeks! Yes. I don't know how I'll do it, but probably like I've approached the last two--one day at a time.

But there's a message in this, isn't it? Compression is necessary for healing. It's necessary for allowing your body to heal from the inside out, for your nerves and blood vessels to stitch themselves back together, to reduce swelling and discomfort. And yet, compression itself is uncomfortable.

I think our spiritual healing is no different. We are pressed, like olives. We are squeezed, like lemons. Sometimes it's a test of faith to see how far we've already come--the pouring out that wouldn't have been possible without the prior pressing. And, other times, the pressing is to see what's left to heal. Either way, the pressing, the process of healing is uncomfortable but it bears good fruit.

My first 10 days of recovery I had drains--an abdominal binder that squeezed me and drains that drew the fluid out of my body. This was a necessary step of healing, to get the unnecessary, harmful-if-it-lingered, fluid out of me. Now, I've entered a different stage of healing--the one that lasts the longest. No more drains. My body is strong enough to filter any remaining inflammation out on its own. I've proven myself strong enough, but I'm still being pressed. I'm still healing. And even when I'm cleared to exit this period of isolation and return to an active life, I will still be in compression for another month.

Healing comes in stages. And while there is pressing we endure in isolation. There's also pressing we endure in public. And it's all for a purpose. But one day, not too far off, the compression garment will go in the closet and I'll be free to live my life again. I'll be free to pour out again.

What I look forward to most after this surgery is getting back to serving at church, attending YA, being a present and supportive friend, going to the gym and being involved in community. I'm excited for normalcy. I'm excited for community. I'm excited for serving. I'm excited to pour out, and in a way, I'm doing that now through this blog.

How are you being pressed right now?

Are you in a season of solitary healing or public pressing?

How can you begin pouring out even while you're still recovering?

I hope that you've enjoyed this reflections from my recovery season. This was a journey I wanted to keep mostly private until I felt well enough to share. But I've found comfort and purpose in sharing through this blog in real-time.

Going into this procedure, I couldn't imagine the perspective the Lord would offer me. Nor could I have imagined the rapid healing that's allowed me to be mostly self-sufficient throughout this process. The past two weeks have not exactly been fun but I have been blessed to heal well with minimal pain. Yesterday, I got a good report from my surgeon and now the long-game begins.

Compression. Scar treatment. A slow return to daily showers and eventually sleeping in my bed again. But every game reaches its end, just like every season. Just like when I began my fitness journey, I will put my head down, do what I have to do, avoid the mirrors if I have to until I'm ready to bloom.