The day after writing about breaking out of my circle of ease and saying no more playing it safe, my husband had an accident while skiing. We have skiied several winters with only minor injury – if by injury you count a broken fingernail, a scraped chin and a bruised toe.

One Fine Man and Skate~Boy were skiing and snowboarding a slope on New Year’s Day when, for some reason, my husband lost control skiing moguls (hills in succession), went airborn and landed on one leg. This resulted in a compound fracture (tib-fib). Our youngest son was with him when it happened and came down the mountain alone to the condo. He called on the way and let my oldest son and me know what had happened. I didn’t believe what I was hearing. After waiting for Skate~Boy to make it safely back, I left for the medical clinic.

The medical staff removed my husband’s ski boot and I wish I had not seen what I saw but I am glad neither he nor our kids saw it.

I made phone calls and friends and family began to pray. After surgery at a hospital in Frisco, the surgeon talked with me and I was overwhelmed to learn that my husband had a serious open wound (bone protruded through the skin) and would need a tissue graft requiring a stay in the hospital for 7 – 10 days.

Once again I made phone calls. One family member stayed on the phone and listened to me cry. She helped me begin to think clearly and make plans. I called our daughter who had stayed home and she prayed a beautiful prayer for me and I physically felt anxiety fall away from my shoulders. In its place the peace of God rested. My wonderful friend, Alisa, and her husband, Doug, assured me they would continue to pray and offered spiritual insight that strengthened my inner man. I sent text messages and emails and calls came in from people who prayed for us over the phone. I won’t mention names but thank you to our pastor and his wife who called to pray and emailed offers of help and prayer!

Yesterday I flew home with my boys and my parents traveled several hours to come stay with them. My neighbors brought food and offers of help.

After taking care of some details here at home, I will fly back and stay with my husband until he is released to travel home.

The Psalmist writes, Strength and Beauty are in His sanctuary (Psalm 96:6). These past few days I have found Strength in Beauty…the beauty of God’s Word, the beauty of the body of Christ, the beauty of faith overcoming fear and the beauty of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. I have been strengthened physically, emotionally and spiritually. I have entered His sanctuary while making logistical plans, in a hospital waiting room, driving through snow on icy roads, and lying alone in the dark with tears in my eyes.

My Monday Magnificat? In all of those places I have found that strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. For this I utter my praise!