The Elliptical

Before surgery, I was told that exercise during treatment would be critical. We live 30 minutes from the nearest gym, and with winter setting in and considering the roads we live on, walking really wasn’t going to be an option. This news was very discouraging. The only option I could see was a piece of equipment we had no chance of affording, especially since I wouldn’t be able to work all winter.

The same day I got this information about exercise, a close friend texted me. “Let me know what I can do to help. You know you can ask me for literally ANYTHING, right?” I hadn’t told her about my appointment. “Got a thousand dollars sitting around?” I shot back, totally kidding. She took me seriously and asked what I needed.

There is one particular elliptical that I had only ever used at the gym and it was the only piece of equipment that worked well without stressing my joints. I looked on Craigslist and found one. One thousand dollars. My friend was serious about helping me so, stunned, I sent her the link. She got back to me the next day and said it had already sold. I thanked her and let it go. I really just let it go out of my mind completely. I appreciated the gesture and figured if I were supposed to have the FreeStride, God would figure it out.

A few days later, she sent me the link to another ad. “Is this the same one?” No, it wasn’t. It was the same machine, but two quality grades higher. It was even better than the first one–and priced accordingly. She contacted the seller, and given the situation, he knocked several hundred dollars off the price. She accepted and said she’d pick it up.

Before long, he contacted her back and told her he’d had another offer, this one higher than his original asking price. He would rather her friend (me) have it, but had to be sure that she would actually show up to get it. My friend assured him she would be there, and he waited til the weekend for her to get the machine.

About 10 days after my original request, a machine that I needed and couldn’t afford was delivered to my door and assembled in my home. It ended up that two friends went together to pay for and haul it, and I am so grateful. Their generosity and kindness humbles and blesses me.

To see the way God showed compassion through the guy that could have made quite a bit more money on his machine is pretty amazing. Craigslist can be a cutthroat place, but this guy was kind and accommodating.

Now that I am on the downward slope of my chemo regimen, I am so incredibly blessed to have the elliptical. I really don’t see any other way to be getting the exercise I need, and it’s nearly miraculous to me that I can simply walk to the other room and make use of it. It is a blessing to my family, as well, since many of them use it routinely.

Thank you so much, dear friends. Your part in my journey has been a huge one, and will continue to be for years to come. Bless you for your generosity and love.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19