Thanking anyway......

It began by skirting around the edges, barely noticed as I ran through the whirlwind of my September and October. On occasion I felt a rawness in my throat, an unusual pressure in my sinuses. Another "bug" was sneaking around but I wanted to avoid it! God was so gracious to keep me healthy through my many responsibilities of those months. Sleep was not always my friend, avoiding me on nights when I needed it most. As my birthday approached, I began to feel the walls come crashing down once again. My immune system had failed to keep the walls secure from sickness.

For the past three weeks I've been once again battling a random virus. This time I've been coughing and had laryngitis. I led worship in the beginning stages of this because I did NOT want to give an inch to the enemy. However since that time, I've basically been on self imposed lock down. Once again I've cleared my calendar. In several cases I postponed an event for a week only to postpone it a week later. All the while trying to do the right things....rest, drink water, praise, rest some more and be grateful. And started taking an antibiotic to help things along. I think I'm seeing progress but.....

Today, my spirit is weary of this present battle. I'm tired of not being able to talk freely! I'm fed up with the pain that comes with each movement, each cough. I want to DO. I'm not liking the side effects of the antibiotic. I am so ready to feel well. And I know I will. The previous battle from March reminds me that I WILL recover, I WILL feel better soon. This skirmish will come to an end, quietly fading from view.

But even as I write these challenges, I'm very aware that I am abundantly blessed (thank you, Terri R.), have so much to be thankful for! Yes, I know that. So once again, on this new day, I'm given the responsibility of setting my mind on things that are good and lovely and good report. Even on this day that's not playing out the way I had hoped.

Here's what I am thankful for (in no particular order): precious family, devoted friends, ability to eat and sleep, no fever!, I can walk!, my sunroom view, grandchildren, gifts of food, God's Presence, I voted!, warm house, wonderful co-workers and job and hey, not thinking about cancer so much! I'm thankful for ginger ale, awesome children, sunshine, peace even in my tears.

Life doesn't always go as planned. We know this. But we also know that God is not surprised by anything that happens. Our candidate doesn't always win. We hope anyway. Our health isn't perfect. We trust anyway. Our relationships have struggles. We love anyway. Our path isn't always smooth. We hold His hand anyway because we know.....

"God is good.
God is good to me.
God is good at being God.
And today is another page in our
Great Love Story.

Nothing that happens to us will change that or even alter it in the slightest way!"
                    ~Lisa Terkheurst