Two Years

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. ~ Joshua 1:9

Today I am thankful for God's healing. I know . . . I talk about my illness and surgery an awful lot. Somebody even gave me some unwanted advice. "Stop living in the past!" But as much as I try, I just can't stop marveling at God's rescue.

Two years ago today I underwent major surgery. The doctors didn't know what was wrong with me. They didn't know if I would make it out. Only God knew . . . and He held me as close as ever during that dark and chilly season.

The older I get, the more I can see that in order for us to really be thankful for something, it has to be taken away for a while. Does this ring true for anyone? Sometimes we start taking a person or a relationship for granted, and when it takes a turn for the worst, we long to have it back. Nostalgia can carry us back, leaving an ache of what once was. Health is a biggie. You just don't know how great it is to move through a regular day until you are too weak to move at all.

I do tend to look back quite often, I must admit. But I don't glance in the direction of yesterday so that I can mope around about all of the twists and turns, nor am I looking to sport any kind of "poor me" trophy. Through God's eyes, I am able to appreciate the triumph of that storm. There is something so wonderfully intimate about that season - it was just me and God fighting things through. His presence was so strong and unmistakable.

I want to apologize if I am boring you to death with my hospital stories. Amidst all of the details, I hope that you can discern the beauty . . . through the darkness there was the most incredible sparkle. It embodies a voice that whispered, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Wherever I go . . . He was even with me as I fought for my next breath - two terrible years ago.

A never-ending flow of thankfulness pours from my heart. I will never stop singing His praise.