Learn to Celebrate Even the Smallest of Victories

My life has been filled with struggles and so many of my posts relate my struggles –  with my struggles.

The past few days have been no exception. Early Friday morning I wrenched my lower back – doing nothing more strenuous that filling a bucket of water (to flush our toilet which hasn’t been working!) The pain was so bad that I dropped to my knees, began retching and almost passed out.

I managed to crawl to my recliner and haul myself up into it – and there is where I have basically stayed for the past 4 days. My husband had to help me get to the bathroom and back again.

The one small blessing (?) in that scenario was that at the time of my injury, I was wearing a little sundress as a nightie and was “sans undies”, or “going commando” as my hubby likes to say. This little fact made it sooooo much easier to go to the bathroom since I was unable to stand without holding on to something and had to use both of my hands to hold onto the bathroom counter to sit and to stand – thus leaving no hands for the pulling down and up of underpants.

The next day I was able to change into a long sundress because I didn’t have to bend down – just pull things over my head  – but still no undies. Not really a problem until an overly friendly blue mud dauber wasp decided to fly up my dress! A few tense moments!

My back pain slowly lessened each day and bound tightly with a back brace, I even managed to slowly shuffle into our van so that my hubby could take me for a couple of country drives – and a Wendy’s Frosty – but I was still “sans undies”.

Today, however, my hubby is in bed with a migraine and the Orkin man was coming to spray our house for spiders. I was not willing to greet the poor Orkin man in my “sans undies” state, so I finally dared to try to bend enough to get some undies on – and I was successful! For which, I and the Orkin man are eternally gratefully!

So today I write to tell you to remember to celebrate even the smallest of victories! (And it helps to have a sense of humour too).

Eph 5:20 Giving praise at all times for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father;

Blessings,

Sometimes You Just Wanna Cry

I can’t believe that it has been so very long since my last post!

The past two years have really been an emotional roller coaster ride with some pretty deep down slides.

We have grieved as we watched our retirement dreams die.

We have struggled to deal with new and alarming health issues as well as with the increase in existing health issues.

Chronic pain, fatigue and the loss of certain physical abilities have changed our lives.

Financial struggles have added to the stress.

And on top of our own struggles, we have also spent the past two years walking alongside a beloved child whose life literally fell apart at the seams.

I am exhausted – physically, emotionally and spiritually.

In the midst of all these trails and tribulations, I work at purposely looking for the blessings in each day. There are many days when doing that is also a real struggle, but it is a very good exercise in keeping my faith.

As each crisis passes, I have been able to look back and see where God has provided for me and my family. I also find peace in knowing that my heavenly Father understands my fears, frustrations, doubts and tears.

I don’t know how I would make it through all the trials and tribulations if I did not have the blessed assurance that God IS, that he loves me and that I can go to him with all my hurts and worries and that he cares and wants to help.

So I am doing my best to live quietly and peaceably, one day at a time, trusting in my heavenly Father’s love, grace, mercy and power.

Rom 5:1 For which reason, because we have righteousness through faith, let us be at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;
Rom 5:2 Through whom, in the same way, we have been able by faith to come to this grace in which we now are; and let us have joy in hope of the glory of God.
Rom 5:3 And not only so, but let us have joy in our troubles: in the knowledge that trouble gives us the power of waiting;
Rom 5:4 And waiting gives experience; and experience, hope:
Rom 5:5 And hope does not put to shame; because our hearts are full of the love of God through the Holy Spirit which is given to us.