Manager’s Memo 7-16-21
When life knocks the wind out of you, and nothing is helping, where do we turn? It was about 9 years ago this month that my eyes started involuntarily darting back and forth right when I was trying to finish my last Master’s class. Friends came and read my textbooks to me as I lay helpless on the couch, not able to walk or see very well. I remember wondering if my life was over. I knew I had some health problems but I was too afraid to face them. Maybe you know that feeling. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do for someone, except be there. Which is exactly what my husband and sister did for me during those scary few weeks 9 years ago. For the MRI, the blood draws the spinal tap. All climaxing a few months later to a devastating diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
As you know, there are more details to each of our journeys that would take too long to recount, but there is one thing I’d like to point out. It has to do with HOW we react when life knocks the wind out of us. We can ask, why is this happening to me? Why did they do that? Why me? But harping on this question of “why” leads to an endless round of the same discussions with ourselves and others. The other thing we can ask ourselves when life knocks the wind out of us is “what”, what CAN I do? What is holding me back? The reason this question is better than ‘why me’ is because it doesn’t lead to a dead end. It expands our thinking beyond our problems, beyond our pain to possibilities. Our God, is a God of possibilities. In Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” So if life has indeed knocked the wind out of you, join me in daily asking this question “what CAN I do” with the God of impossibilities at my side.
For 88.3 The Journey,
General Manager Danae Songy.
Comments (4)
Kathleen Hoipkemier
Hi Danae!
Thank you for sharing your diagnosis of MS! In 2005, I too was diagnosed with MS. At the time, I was an Administrative Assistant. It affects my whole left side and I am left handed. Long story short, I ended up disabled but blessed! I will be going on 60 this year and my MS has been in remission for several years. I was taking Copaxone. Last year my doctor said I don’t have to take anything. Praise God! I tell people God healed me of MS!
Our God Is Awesome! There is nothing impossible for Him! You will be in my prayers. Please try to keep your stress level down. I know, easier said than done.
God bless your ministry and journey!
Kathleen
Wanda Agee
Kathleen! How precious and hopeful your story was to me. Thank you for responding to mine and giving me some encouragement. I’m in remission too and I am trying my best to keep stress levels down. I don’t know how to explain it but I feel like God is holding me for such a time as thing. May God keep you symptom free! – Danae
Susie
Good Morning Danae,
I prayed that specific prayer this morning!!! What can I do, I even asked if He would please give me obvious clues because sometimes I don’t see them. I feel like I am densely walking through life as I get older I am always tired. I prayed for you and your family this morning. I also don’t know the why but if He allowed it I trust our Loving God and know His vision is 1000% better than ours. God Bless you,
Wanda Agee
Amen to that! It’s hard to not trust my vision when I think I can see things more clearly than other people around me. But you’re right, re-framing and stop asking “why” is the first step to deeper faith. Thank you for responding. – Danae