gratitude – Page 9 – Jesus is for the Wounded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzrXc68gNjQ

I had the chance to “sit by the dock of the bay” or river/reservoir/lake/ocean many times this past year and was unable to take it.

I had the chance to work part time as an occupational therapist in home care and have been unable to do it since March.

I had the chance to garden and fell short of the project “To Do” list.

I had the chance to live as others do and was not selected to live as they do.

Like the song says, “I can’t do what ten people tell me to do. So I guess I’ll remain the sa-me.”

What have I been able to do? Learn how much Jesus loves me just as I am. Feel His love directly through the love of my life, Steve. Give back here and there out of my weakness alone. Take time to pray. Learn to breathe more deeply. Meet people I never knew before. Witness the Lord’s majesty and grace in ways I’d never experienced before. Let go, let God beyond what I ever learned in 12-step circles. Seek and find the face of Jesus. Do it sick. Apply the talents He has given me in new ventures as a Master Gardener Intern and Principal Designer/Owner. Live in humility and gratitude (and continue to grow in both). Meet you, gentle reader.

Now that I’m up off of the couch, I think I can take the dog out and get ready for the day. Golly gee, my tummy hurts and I don’t know why. And here come the sweats and oh do I feel sick. Wonder if I’ll make it to my second craft show this Saturday? If I do, it’s gonna take a miracle for sure! Alas, I am reminded:

⁶So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. Zech 4

Yes, by His Spirit alone. Unlike the words of Otis Redding who sang, “sitting on the dock of the bay, wasting ti-me,” I know that nothing is wasted in God’s economy. As a believer in Jesus Christ, my eternal life has already begun. This time is not measured by tasks or the stuff of this life on earth. This time, today, is measured by grace. I’m layin’ in the morning sun on the couch, typing at the computer with the sun at my back through the window, and breathing in deeply, the subtle richness of knowing that I can do all things through Him that strengthens me (Phil 4:13). So glad I got that straight today. Elle! Let’s gooooooooooooooooo!

DSCF7245 — Yellow roses and purple irises for our anniversary!

Today is the five year anniversary for my husband, Steve and me. I struggled to try to figure out how to “celebrate” since I am still battling Lyme Disease and don’t feel well most of the time. Let’s see, a little creative flexibility would be in order:

Dinner at Biaggi’s: we checked local restaurant menus online, made a couple of calls then decided on Biaggi’s as there’s enough on my allergy-free list to comprise a dinner. Once there, the host seated us in a quieter section of the restaurant (without even asking!) and the waiter was able to turn the music below my sensitivity level. And yes, the waiter was able to have a salad made for me, picking and choosing from all the acceptable ingredients on the salad menu. The coconut yogurt dressing came with me, packed in my purse. Result: a romantic anniversary dinner with my beloved Steve.

Movie date: started having a headache (the pre-seizure attack kind) on the way to the theater so we stopped at Walgreens for some OTC meds. Then we sat in the parking lot until the headache subsided but the seizure attacks came anyways. I cried and Stevers drove us to two Red Box DVD dispenser machines. Only problem was that most of the movies were either obscure or rated R. Next, we came home with mixed emotions and Steve’s daughter, Christina mentioned that you can rent and download DVDs at Amazon.com for $.99. Seemed like workable alternative then the seizure attacks returned. (Guess the other unknown ingredients in the dinner got to me? Hard to say . . .) The attacks ended and we relaxed for awhile before staging a movie theater in the office with a ton of pillows and comforters. Result: Pixar flick “UP” made for a sweet movie date.

So you can see how grateful I am for so many things this evening. Steve takes even the weirdest, ugliest, most stressful things in stride; these qualities make a HUGE difference in this time of illness. Oh how I am blessed to be his wife and partner in this life. I hope that when I am called to serve him that I will be as gracious! Just finally figuring out what to do to celebrate our anniversary was a huge gift since I wasn’t sure we could do anything at all. Thank you Lord for guiding us and providing a sweet evening together.

Flexibility is key in celebrating an anniversary in a time of illness or trials. Flexibility is key in living everyday with gratitude and hope. There is sweetness not to be missed, we just gotta look for it and go for it! If it don’t work one way, try another. We can celebrate so much more than the special dates and events. And if we have faith in the Lord and we let Him guide our paths and bunny trails, well, the outcome is Providential indeed. Let’s see, what can we celebrate today? :J

Habakkuk 3:17-19

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
¹⁸yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

¹⁹The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.