“I want my old life back,” I sobbed to my husband. “Yesterday, I felt good and went on a brief walk. My fifteen-minute walk caused over two hours of muscle weakness and paralysis. Today, my entire body hurts. This disease sucks.”
My beloved of nearly nineteen years, inched closer to me. He knows I needed a compassionate listening ear. “I wish I could have my old self back just for one day.”
Sipping his own mug of liquid mercy, my husband asked, “What would you do?”
“I would run. I miss the feeling of my heart pounding in my chest, breath synchronized to rhythm of my pace, and sweat on my face.”
He laughed and said, “I guess I’m lazy because running does not sound fun to me.”
“After running,” I said, wiping my eyes, “I would play soccer with Andrew and softball with Rachel.”
“Now, that sounds fun,” my beloved said and offered a hug.
An hour later, I sat alone in my red chair reading Scripture and praying. Peace replaced the sadness I felt earlier. It is amazing what time with the Lord can do. “Thank you Lord for the peace, Amen.”
Placing my coffee mug in the sink, I studied the kitchen chalkboard sign. The chalked verse and mini pumpkins have been in place for seven months. It is now spring. These pumpkins are leftovers from two seasons ago. I examined each pumpkin for signs of decay, but the pumpkins are just a firm as the day I received them.
Pushing back the darkness that lingers with chronic illness, I read the verse: “In everything, give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
The mini-pumpkins decorating my kitchen counter are out-of-season along with the candy cane Christmas kitchen towel, but gratitude is always in season.
Friend, are you stuck in one season hoping for another? Me too! As we journey together let us not forget that gratitude is always in season.
~April Dawn White
*Images courtesy of Pixabay *Scripture is NIV from BibleGateway.com unless otherwise noted.
© 2017 April Dawn White, All rights reserved