FEELING GRATEFUL FOR THINGS I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD FEEL GRATEFUL FOR

Be thankful in all circumstances;

for this is God's will for you who

belong to Christ Jesus.

(1 Thessalonians 5:18, NLT)

Every morning when I wake up I thank God for the gift of a new day, and add some other things I am thankful for such as being able to see and hear and walk.

When my back issues started to get worse a little over a year ago it took me a while to be able to admit I needed a handicapped parking permit for my car. When I finally did, however, what a blessing it turned out to be. I am more than grateful to not have to worry about finding convenient parking spots anymore. and to be able to park right in front of wherever I need to go.

I've been going to physical therapy for quite some time now, and though at first I had high hopes, it's starting to look as though this is about as good as it's going to get. There has been some improvement but far from what I'd expected to see. Even so, when people ask how I am doing, my standard answer has always been "hey, I'm grateful I'm not in a wheelchair or on a walker." 

Though I'm still able to get around unassisted, I can't walk very far. Once or twice around my parking lot is pushing it. I miss going out for photo shoots, or on walks with my daughter, or being included in family outings. 

I know all things are possible with God, but maybe being free of back pain is not part of His plan. Or maybe it is, but not yet. Either way, I'm sure it's not His will for me to give up the activities I used to enjoy, and so I swallowed my pride and dusted off the old walker I had from when I was in rehab years ago. To my amazement, I felt no pain when walking with it. 

How that could be, I do not know, but thanks to it and to the encouragement of a caring friend I was able to take a walk along the trail for the first time in over a year. 

Though I can no longer say I'm grateful not to be on a walker, I can say I am truly grateful for the surprising new door it has opened up for me.