The Sink in my hospital room baffled me. The keyboard at the nurse’s station silenced me, and then an elevator button pushed me back to reality. My friends, have you ever been jolted by an unwelcome revelation about yourself? This describes the day in the hospital when an elevator button pushed me to understand that I had been very sick and was now sitting totally blind and hearing impaired in a wheel chair. It was an unwelcome revelation that I was not ready for, and certainly would not have chosen.
The hand we are dealt in life is never the one we envisioned for ourselves, but with the grace of God and the help of others it is one we can learn to play with joy, peace, and love.
Tragedy, illness, injury, loss, sadness, and the list goes on. My friends, you can’t always choose the trajectory of your life, the things that happen, or what life throws your way. However, the manner in which you respond is something that you are in full control of.
When I woke up from a three-month coma totally blind, hearing impaired, and too weak to sit up on my own, I was terrified, crying myself to sleep night after night, confused and in pain, asking, why is this happening, why me? Morning after morning I awoke with tears dried on my face. I was still blind, hearing impaired, and too weak to sit up, but I had a smile on my face. Not because I knew everything would be fine, or that I would be able to see and hear again, but because a mysterious strength had filled my weak body.
This unnamed strength had convinced me to keep praying, to keep hoping, and to keep moving forward. It was not my own, but instead a combination of friends, family, community, and Almighty God telling me that it wasn’t my time yet. Life still held something special for me. Yes, I had so much to cry for, but also the support and strength to believe that the best was still yet to come.
What challenges have you faced in your own life? Have you ever thought or said, “why me”? I believe this is our human nature. Next time you feel this way, or have negative thoughts, think about all the things you are grateful for. Turn those tears of frustration or anguish into a smile of strength and perseverance. It isn’t easy, and can take time, but when we can authentically transform those tears into a beautiful smile, only the best is yet to come!!