I have completed two weeks of rehabilitation since my hip replacement surgery. I went in for my two-week follow-up exam yesterday, and they took the bandage off and said everything looked good. I have graduated from a walker to a cane, and my goal is to throw away the cane in one week. This last week, I have walked 3000 steps daily plus 30 minutes on the stationary bike and 30 minutes of doing exercises assigned to me by my physical therapist. This week, I aim to walk 5000 steps daily, spend 45 minutes on the bike, and exercise for 30 minutes.

I like goals; they motivate me to press on and do more. I especially like goals that I can measure. Goals with numbers are my favorite. I asked the doctor yesterday about my physical therapy. While I am in there twice a week for an hour, they show me exercises and watch me as I do them. I have them all down now and do the assigned number and more at home every day. I asked the doctor if there was any reason I needed to keep going twice a week. He commented that most people don’t exercise at home after surgery; they only do what gets done during the hour-long sessions at physical therapy.  I assured him I was being faithful in doing them every day. So, I go once this week and once next week, and then I am done with physical therapy, and my final doctor’s exam is on July 10th. Then, on July 14th, I head to Alaska for one month of salmon and halibut fishing, hallelujah!

I also have spiritual goals for every day. I read my Bible every day for a specific amount of time and number of chapters, I spend a particular amount of time in private prayer, I pray with Patty, I have a weekly goal for corporate prayer, I read a certain number of pages in a good book, I spend time every day memorizing Bible verses, I write daily in my journal, I write on this blog, and I write notes, emails, and text messages to different people every day to encourage and motivate them in their Christian walk. I keep track of my work and send weekly email reports to several people I am accountable to for my disciplines.

I wasn’t surprised when I heard that most people who have had surgery like mine don’t exercise much. That is the way we are as people, but if we want to get better faster, exercise is essential. But the most important thing is that we spend time with God every day in daily spiritual disciplines. It is just like brushing our teeth or walking on the treadmill: do it every day, every day, with a few breaks.