When Life Hits the Brakes Without Warning
Week after week, I read comments from many of you who are quietly carrying heavy health burdens, your own or someone you love. Sweet Ginger, a faithful reader and frequent commenter, is caring for her husband and facing her own upcoming shoulder surgery. Her words stuck with me, because health issues have a way of slamming on the brakes without asking permission.
It made me think back to a moment when my daughter’s life came to a sudden stop, one she never saw coming.
Most of you know my daughter lived in Alaska for nearly ten years. When she decided to move back home, she left before winter set in. Getting her car from Juneau meant a three-day ferry ride to Washington State. It sounded straightforward, long but manageable.
Until it wasn’t.
When she arrived, she called me and said she didn’t feel right. I encouraged her to go to an after-hours clinic, just to be safe. They were concerned she might be passing a gallstone, and before she knew it, she was admitted to the hospital overnight while they ran tests and made sure she was stable.
None of this was part of the plan.
Her life came to a grinding halt in a matter of hours. And there I was, far away, feeling completely helpless. You know that feeling, the one where you want to fix it, but can’t even get in the car and drive there.
Gratitude Shows Up in the Middle of Fear
That night, fear sat right next to gratitude. They often do.
I was grateful she wasn’t alone, that a friend was with her. I was grateful she didn’t get seriously sick while she was still on the ferry, but instead in a city with excellent medical care. I was grateful the hospital took its time and didn’t rush her out the door.
Health scares have a funny way of sharpening our vision. Things we take for granted every single day suddenly feel precious.
Why We Rarely Think About Our Health Until It’s Shaken
Most of us don’t wake up each morning thankful for working knees or a steady heartbeat. We just get up and move. Until we can’t.
A fall can steal mobility. A diagnosis can shake our peace. A surgery can pause work, independence, and financial stability all at once. Health issues don’t politely ease their way into our schedules. They interrupt, loudly.
November is the month we usually talk a lot about gratitude and thankfulness, but today I want to gently shift the focus.
Not on what’s wrong.
On what’s right.
A Simple Gratitude Exercise That Changes Perspective
Instead of listing complaints, start at the top of your head and slowly move downward. Thank God for what’s working.
Your eyes that see.
Your lungs that breathe without instruction.
Your heart that beats faithfully, day and night.
Your kidneys, veins, and arteries are all quietly doing their jobs without applause.
We forget that our bodies are miracles in motion.
What Scripture Says About Our Bodies
The Bible reminds us that our lives, and our bodies, are gifts.
Psalm 139:13–14 (NIV)
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV)
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
We are walking evidence of God’s care and creativity, even on the days we feel worn out.
To GOD Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
Let’s End With A Prayer
Lord,
Thank You for the breath in our lungs and the strength in our bodies, even when we don’t notice it. Forgive us for the days we complain more than we thank You. Help us see our health as a gift, not a guarantee. For those who are hurting, healing, waiting, or caregiving, wrap them in Your peace. Remind us today that life itself is a miracle, and You are near in every moment.
Amen.
Oh how I love your timely posts! You always say just the right things! In mom mileage you like you were a million miles away when that happened. Yes ironic how fear and gratitude go hand in hand, it takes us a minute or longer to see that gratitude! The Lord always provides! 🙂
Hi Tania! I am the most thankful now at 76 that I have been my whole life. I have had something wrong with everything you mentioned above and I’m still going thru some things. Some I was caught off guard with and some I wasn’t. All things said, I am so thankful and happy God was with me. He had plans for me so he thought He would hang on to me a little longer. I have always been active and I’m still going strong except for some shortness of breath. But as long as I can put one foot in front of the other, I’ll keep going until God stops me. I am so Grateful!! To God Goes the Glory!
Have a Blessed Day!! 🙌
Thank you for today’s words. Gratitude for health.
I had been super healthy all my life. Hardly ever even a cold or flu. then October 2024 came along. our daughter got married and the next day after a weekend of festivities, my husband and I flew to Germany for 10 days. I was exhausted. I thought it was all the activity. When we returned home, blood work showed my bone marrow had decided to stop producing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, meaning I had no immune system, no energy and no clotting ability (aplastic anemia). In July I had chemo and radiation to kill my bone marrow in preparation for a bone marrow transplant. Thank the Lord, a donor with a 10/10 match was found. I’m still weak and still need transfusions every week, but I’m alive and getting stronger/better every day, even if it is slow. Through it all, I’ve had to trust God to get me through each day. I’m so glad I’m His!
Gale, that was a crazy chain of events. Thankfully, a donor was found and you are slowly gaining your strength. None of us have any idea what is going on inside our bodies, but the Lord knows all.
So thankful that He does!
Thank you for the reminder to be grateful for good health while we have it, and for God’s nearness and help when we don’t. I copied your prayer for my prayer journal. It will help me remember to be thankful, in good times and not so good times.
Amen! Well said! We have so much to be thankful for! God is good!
This is such a beautiful reminder. In our younger years, we take so much for granted. As we get older we can count our blessings and realize how lucky we are. Thank you for this wonderful post.
It is very true – we don’t appreciate our health until we don’t have it – Thanks as always for your wonderful words
Tania this could not have come at a better time for me. My cancer is advancing and there is not much more that can be done. I am so scared and sad but I try to thank God for every day. I am grateful for supportive family and friends and the kindness of strangers. This illness has hanged how I think about everything. Things don’t matter, trust in God is what matters most. I’m still a work in progress!
I once heard a lady speaking on finding out she had breast cancer. She said at that moment, everything she thought was important fell to the side. The Lord is your Savior, and He will not leave your side.
Thank you Tania! I needed that message today!