Sep 7

Written by:
9/7/2011 5:58 AM 

God sometimes puts us in places unexpectedly.  We’re going along in life, totally focused on the usual, the normal, the everyday, and then suddenly the world as we know it experiences a shift in the cosmic force.  In those times, we can find the beauty or focus on the beast. 

I am writing this blog today from a hospital bed.  Critical care, to be exact.  My persistent headache turned out to be a blood clot in my brain.  The beast has reared its ugly head. 

Aside from the initial doctor in the ER, everyone has been exceptionally friendly, caring, and helpful.  There’s the beauty. 

I had one of the most painful tests I’ve ever experienced.  It actually made me cry from the pain.  There’s the beast. 

The tests were necessary to help the healthcare staff to keep me safe and get me healthy again.  Without it, my life would be at risk.  That’s definitely the beauty. 

My family all came to see me at the same time yesterday.  At times, they were irritating to me  and I felt very uncomfortable.  I don’t like to be babied, and I felt like I had to somehow entertain them as they all sat around in a circle around my bed.  BEAST!!! 

My family dropped everything to come and see me yesterday.  They care about me and wanted me to know they were right there for me, in spite of our differences.  That’s the beauty. 

My kids are so far away this week.  Erin and Sean are at their dad’s house, Ben is in Grand Rapids, and Chelsea is in Budapest, Hungary for the semester.  I miss my kids and wish they were here with me.   

Yet, with my kids gone to other places, I do not have to worry about their care.  They are being taken care of.  Erin came and visited yesterday, I’ve been keeping in touch with Chelsea online, and I know Ben and Sean are being kept informed of everything. They don’t have to worry from the unknown.  That’s a comfort to me…and the beauty. 

I guess what I’m trying to say is that there are few things in life that don’t contain a good side and a bad side.  Believe me, I’m no Pollyanna that looks at the world through rose colored glasses.  But, there is something to be said about CHOOSING how to look at your stumbling blocks.  What can I learn from this?  How is this ultimately going to change me?  How can I rely more on God through this?  How can I use this experience to help someone else in a similar situation? These are all lessons that make the challenges worthwhile.

Its all in how I choose to look at things.