Courage

"Courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with all its sorrow is good; that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond our understanding; and that there is always tomorrow." Dorothy Thompson

I have said before that surviving is a lot harder that dying. But in my core, I believe the quote above. There has to be more. There just has to be. I will NOT believe that we suffer in vain. I will NOT believe is some cosmic irony that has just let us run amok on this mudball called earth.

I believe that God IS good. That it was never His will that we should undergo such horrible atrocities. He created us to live in paradise. And when this life is over, we will indeed!

But in the meantime, it is so imperative that I keep my focus on God's purpose for my illness. I know of someone who has benefitted spiritually from how God has worked in my life through this illness. I cannot tell you how privileged I feel to be a part of that. I mean, if you KNEW that something you went through was used by God to bring someone to Him who otherwise may not have? That's worth anything, is it not?

So on the days when I am down, when my trach is driving me crazy, and hurts, and I can't get it just right, and I can't breathe so well, on the days when I don't have the energy to lift my arms, the days when my son looks into my eyes and says, "Why do you have to rest Mommy?" That the times when I can't meet that friend, go to that Bible study, attend church, when my vision is doubled and I am whining and complaining.... I MUST refocus on God. He is my ONLY Cure. I MUST remind myself as did Job, I KNOW that my Redeemer lives!

And I must add that I could not have gotten through all this without all of YOU praying for me. I know without a shadow of a doubt that God heard and answered the prayers of His faithful when I was in the hospital 9 years ago. There is NO physical reason I should be alive. God spared me, and I believe He did so for a reason.

So I ask that if God ever brings me to mind, please pray for me; for me to remember that God is my Hope and Salvation. That He is my Peace, my Comfort, and my Healer. And if you feel so moved, let me know you said a prayer...encouragement is something that spurs me on.

So when life throws you a curveball, say a little prayer and swing for the fence!