I had the opportunity to catch up with a dear friend recently who has just emerged from a frightening few months. And her family even more so, since they were conscious through it all!
I had heard a few bits and pieces from a mutual friend, enough to know that there was a prolonged hospital stay involved, and that communication with this friend wasn’t possible.
So I was thrilled a week or two ago, when I saw that she had read one of my recent blog posts. I reached out to her last week to get all the details of her ordeal.
It would take at least a month of blog posts to adequately portray the harrowing experience she went through, so it isn’t today’s topic. But, let me just throw out a few words and phrases that I hope do even an ounce of justice to her story.
- Brain bleed
- Brain surgery – again and again
- Tracheotomy
- Feeding tube
- Unconscious (drugged?)
- Memory loss of incident
- Intensive care
- Months in a hospital bed
- Limited family visits
- Expectations (yes, plural) of death
- Miraculous recovery
- Eyes open FINALLY
- Home to months of rehab
I went through so many emotions just listening to her tell me what she remembered about these traumatic months – and the details her family filled in for her. I can’t imagine living through it, even if she was “out of it” for a good portion.
In the end, we were both beyond grateful that God chose to miraculously heal her despite multiple times when it looked as though she wouldn’t pull through. And boy, does she have a story to tell of God’s goodness and care over her.
So after about an hour of conversation, I told her that, despite my preference to continue talking with her, I needed to get about my business of house cleaning and that we would talk again soon.
Now the REAL blog topic begins! Did you wonder when I would get to the title?
My house-cleaning comment sparked another story she wanted to pass along to me. Her therapist had been out to see her recently and asked her what task she really wanted to tackle, but felt was pushing her too far.
She said, “I want to vacuum.” And vacuum, she did, for a full 28 minutes! She couldn’t have been more excited if she’d won a trip to Disney World.
What a contrast to the drudgery I was looking ahead to with my own house-cleaning that day.
It brought to life a couple of concepts that aren’t new to most of us. And I’ve certainly talked about them multiple times through these blog posts. But this story did remind me how much we need to be reminded!
The first concept is gratitude. Simple word. Hard to do consistently. As I was cleaning that day, I thanked God that I had a house to clean and that he had given me the physical ability to do the cleaning. A few months of missing the “privilege” of vacuuming clearly gave my friend intense joy – and gratitude – that she was now able to take on this task. I needed to do likewise.
We were both doing essentially the same work. Sure, different floors, different equipment, but the same job. We were both vacuuming. What was the biggest difference? Perspective.
What lens are we using to look at those areas of our life that aren’t pleasant or may be downright difficult or hurtful? If you’re like me, it may be our own short-sighted, selfish, comfort-seeking, quick fix-it perspective. What if we could look at all aspects of our lives with a godly-purpose perspective?
What If it’s not a monumental or life-altering situation, such as vacuuming? Then simply use the lens of gratitude to see how God is blessing you in the mundane areas of life.
I need these reminders all the time! I’m thankful that my conversation that day with my VERY grateful friend helped me to retool my thinking a bit and realize how quickly even vacuuming could be violently stripped from my life.
I pray her story touches you as it did me. I assure you she is shouting her own miracle story from the proverbial rooftop!
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18