Aug 16, 2012

Why I'm Still Here

By Susan Knight


     Spoiler Alert: Pity Party. But it has a good ending.
    
     The other night, when my ankle was hurting because I had done too much during the day, I said my prayers as I rubbed my ankle and just spoke my heart to my Heavenly Father. I sure felt sorry for myself.
    
     “Heavenly Father, why did you bring me all the way to Utah just to let my ankle get mangled?”
   
     I really had a great time before that happened. I joined a lot of activities: a dance group, two book clubs, and a writer’s chapter. I welcomed each tomorrow to see what discoveries I could make in this beautiful new place.
    
     Then, a year ago, almost, over Labor Day weekend, I stood on a ladder and it collapsed. There, too, went my whole new world.
    
     I know it could have been worse. My guardian angels worked way overtime for me, making sure my ankle was the only injury. I could have broken my arms, or my neck. Thank you, angels J
    
     So now, after almost a year, my patience wore thin. I cried out to my Lord as tears trickled down my cheeks, “Why? Why did this happen? I can’t do anything. I can’t go anywhere—easily. I can’t walk.” I am not normally a wall flower. I am very independent. Was
    
     And, I have to admit, I asked Him, “What is my purpose? Why am I still here? I’m good for nothing.”
    
     The next day, Sunday, I happened upon the compassionate service leader in my ward who took great care of me during my surgery and way-long recovery. We caught up before the meetings started. She had been visiting with her family at a reunion at Bear Lake. And what did she talk about? Her great-granddaughters.
    
     “She calls me Great-Nanna,” she said of one. “Because I’m Nanna to my grandchildren.”
    
     Her stories of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, I have to admit, brought tears to my eyes because of the loving way in which she spoke about them. Just thinking about it now almost makes me weep.
    
     “Great-Nanna, will you hold me?” I saw the love for her family in her tales of Bear Lake.
    
     As I sat, preparing for the sacrament, a warm feeling came over me. Then it hit me hard, and in no still, small voice.
    
     “You, too, can have this. Have patience. Even more patience than you’ve already mustered. Good times are just around the corner.”
    
     Well, around the corner, down the lane, up and over the mountain, maybe… I have no grandchildren; just four kids and two sons-in-law. But I get the gist of what the Holy Ghost was trying to tell me. I have a purpose. I know why I’m here. Feeling sorry for yourself can skew the vision.
    
     So I diligently stick to my morning affirmations: I am well. I am happy. I am healthy. I am strong.
    
     And I added one more: My ankle is getting better.

8 comments:

  1. Good way to look at the long vision of things even when you're in the thick of a trial. Thank you for sharing, Susan.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Most often we have no idea what blessings await us!! Hang in there!! It will be worth it!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know H.F. has a plan for me. I just don't know why he put me on hold. :-) I'll hang in there. Thanks for the advice.

      Delete
  3. Having an injury can also give you so much more compassion for others who are also injured or handicapped. Don't forget that voice of affirmation and continue to have patience!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a lot of paying it forward to do. You'd be surprised how many handicapped people opened doors for me in the last year. :-)
      Affirmations make me feel better and I want that positive energy to be generated all around me.
      I am normally a very patient person (I was a piano teacher)but to be lame for a year has tried mine abundantly.
      Thanks for your kind comment, Kami

      Delete
  4. A lot of good things can happen while you "wait upon the Lord" (i.e. have patience) and I think you're involved in a lot of good things and laying a lot of good foundations. Sometimes you have to stand a ways off before you can actually see the big picture. I think becoming my friend has been a very valuable accomplishment, at least for me, and I hope for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww, Pam, you're so sweet. I value our friendship. I've learned a lot from you and know I will continue in that vein.
      I love your comments. I know you're right.

      Delete

Thank you for visiting. Feel free to comment on our blogger's posts.*

*We do not allow commercial links, however. If that's not clear, we mean "don't spam us with a link to your totally unrelated-to-writing site." We delete those comments.