This past year has been a roller coaster of emotions and happenings. My wife as many of you know, has been struggling with Trigeminal Neuralgia, Vestibular Neuralgia, and Ramsey Hunt Syndrome. She has had a battle to fight. It has been a long hard one. These conditions have extremely limited her mobility as well as energy levels. Through this, we could have chosen to be mad and upset at life and God, however, we have learned to be Grateful, Thankful and realize we are blessed!
My wife and I have definitely learned the art of "Doing things on the Fly!" We go when we can and make things happen because we just never know what the next day will bring. We take it one day at a time. In addition to my wife's conditions, my health has been an issue as well.
This is something that I have not shared with many people, however, I am putting it out there now. About a year and half ago, I went in for a CT Scan for my Diverticulitis. That very same day I get a call from the Doctors office. You know right off the bat, that getting a call from your Dr. on the same day that you get a test run, 9 out of 10 times is generally not good news. Well, it was not. They told me that they saw a "Spot" on my bladder and I needed to get it checked out ASAP. WOW! talking about a blow to the gut! I still remember the sinking feeling that I got when they told me. Now what? Well, we proceeded to get a follow up with a urologist who would run a series of tests on me. The test came back with what no one wants to hear, "Cancer" Well thank the Lord that through a series of procedures, the Dr. was able to cut out all of the cancerous cells from my bladder. I thought I was in the clear, but the Dr. "found" some more suspicious cells in my kidney area. So the verdict is still out. So now what? Well, I could be mad, I could be upset but thankfully I have a huge sense of peace. What else can I do? This is something that is totally out of my control. I now have to have faith and trust more than ever. Now I would be lying if I said that I was NEVER scared, upset, worried. That is far from the truth. I have experienced all of those emotions and then some. However, what is difference? After allowing myself to just be, and experience those emotions, I now must say that I have that huge sense of peace. I know that as I continue to place my life in the hands of my creator, and trust in Him and know that he holds my hand as well as my future, I have NOTHING to fear! I am Grateful, Thankful and Blessed!
Proverbs 3:5-6 says this "Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your path straight." (NIV)
Here is a little something to leave you with. It is a little funny description of life that I found on the net. I hope it will give you a chuckle but also make you think as well.
I AM THANKFUL: FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.
FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.
FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.
FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .
FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.
FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.
FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE
FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME
FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH. ..
FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .
FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.
FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.
FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.
FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.
FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.
AND I AM THANKFUL: FOR THE crazy people I work with
BECAUSE they make work interesting and fun!
AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL
BECAUSE? IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME
So for me and I hope for you as well, that you take a look at your life and as you examine it, you will find out that this is not only a month of thankfulness but a LIFETIME. Be Grateful, Thankful and Blessed!
