By Tracy Astle
Just a brief post today. I just got out of the hospital. I'm home recuperating from surgery and find myself contemplating mixed blessings.
At first glance the medical problems I've had of late, culminating with this surgery, may seem like a challenge to be overcome - and they can be rightfully viewed as such. But they can also been seen as a huge blessing. First of all, the thought of enjoying renewed health and strength is wonderful. Secondly, I plan on using my six weeks off work to write a rough draft of my second novel. Without the forced down time from this surgery there's no way I would have time to get a draft done so quickly. So, yay.
I am wondering what bumps you may have encountered in your road that ending up being blessings in other areas of your life. Any silver linings of your life's clouds you'd like to share?
Since I've taught writing to college students and was a writing tutor in a middle school for seven years, I began to think it might be a good idea to just go ahead and get that teaching certificate and make a career of it. This I've tried to do several times in my life even before the (successful) teaching experience and each time, it was as if the whole world conspired against it. Looking back now, I realize that I would have been enormously unhappy being confined to a classroom. I'm a maverick who chafes under the requirements of hoop-jumping and I would have wasted a lot of time and expense to conform to rules I see no point in keeping. All of that reinforces that it's okay if I go my own way and make my own mark. Heck, I grew up in the era of Elvis Presley and the Beetles and could not find the appeal in either. Still don't. But show me the Modern Jazz Quartet or the King's Singers or authentic western music and I'm all aquiver. My strangeness is breathtaking even to me. However, I'm grateful the Lord knew me so well and led me away from the things that would have made me deeply unhappy.
ReplyDeleteI have had many issues every time I get ready to apply to medical school (i.e two kiddos and chronic hives). These bumps helped me to find volunteering is my access to medical without the serious side effects of applying ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnd I love what I do now! My life took a detour and I am happy.
Hope you have a quick and uneventful recovery! I too would be excited at the prospect of using recovery time as writing time. This should be fun for you! Way to make a challenge into a blessing. :) Since I had only 3 hours' sleep last night, I can't make my brain work well enough to come up with examples of my own - although I'm sure I've had plenty! LOL
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings to you...and prayers for a thorough and complete healing. I had been having all kinds of pain in my feet that wasn't being helped by shots or orthotics or anything else. Then I had to have abdominal surgery and was off my feet for several weeks. I felt very blessed to discover that while I stayed off my feet, they were able to heal. who knew! LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love all the evidence of God's hand in our lives?
Great way to make lemonade out of lemons. Hope you are well and on the road to a healthy recovery.
ReplyDelete