My doctor said these words to me today:
"Susana, it is amazing that after six years, you are not in a wheelchair. And you have absolutely no deformities. It's just amazing."
Oh yeah. Praise God.
(Whaaa?)
Let me explain:
I have aggressive Rheumatoid Arthritis.
I've had it for six and a half years. I really have a bad case of the stuff, actually. And there have been times where I couldn't step out of bed because the floor felt like broken glass, and I couldn't brush my hair because my elbows wouldn't bend far enough, and I couldn't lift my kids because my knee caps felt like they were separating from my legs. By all accounts, I should have the unsightly arthritic hands by now, and I should be using a walker for the deformed knees and ankles I should have by now.
The truth: I could probably do a cartwheel. (Please don't ask me to do a cartwheel. I said I could, not would. Although I probably should while I still can.) By God's grace and the gift of modern medicine (and the help of really good insurance) I have defied the odds of this debilitating disease. I can play my guitar. I can dance. I can pick up my kids. I have not had bad inflammation in nearly two and a half years. I recently ran a freakin' 5k, for goodness sake.
Praise God.
I totally forgot -- until my rheumatologist pointed it out -- that I have so much reason to thank God. It's easy to overlook stuff when the cards are good.
But it reminded me of some other things, too. Things that are gifts.
Healthy Kids
Loving Husband
Food
House
Breath
Life
Jesus
For all the things I usually take for granted, thank you, Lord.
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Messiah Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Awesome post, Sus. Although posted awhile back, I just read it along with you other one from today. To "give thanks in all circumstances," doesn't seem to come naturally, does it? In some circumstances, yes..but in all? That's the distinction for the true Believer in Messiah..when it can be in all and not in some times in our lives. I've found it to be true that if God leaves us with the imperfections in either mind, body, or even our spirit, it leaves us dependent on Him as well. I believe that if the Apostle Paul had had his "thorn in the flesh" removed from him that he might've been tempted to walk in independence rather than in constant dependence on the Father. He learned the value of reveling in and giving thanks for his circumstances rather than despising them. That's my hope for all believers as well..that we choose all times to give thanks, not just some.
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