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.
Thank you for the post today. Just this week we stopped and gave thanks that a specialist noticed a possible problem and my husband will have some oral dental surgery in a few days. Gratitude for sure.
I love your Scripture reading @ ending prayer! You have a wonderful way with words, Tania! They are greatly appreciated & remembered thru the week ahead. Sometimes we get so wrapped up that we forget GOD is here to help us, if we only ask him!! So, I have learned to listen before reacting! It makes such a huge difference!! I want to take this moment to Thank You for your posts, too! Wishing you a wonderful week💖💖
Good message!
This was a beautiful and timely post, Tania. I just found out my sister in law has melanoma cancer and endometrial cancer. Then a few days later my brother took a 4 ft fall off of his deck after he had grabbed onto a railing that gave way (he was trying to kick a possom off his deck). He shattered his collarbone, broke 7 ribs and punctured a lung. Right before reading your post we got a message that his lung collapsed. Yes, we don’t often give the Lord thanks for the heart that beats and the lungs that expand and contract, the eyes that behold, the feet and legs that carry us from here to there. It is a good idea, as you stated, to start the day thanking the Lord for these simple things that we sometimes take for granted. Thank you for allowing the Lord to speak to you in preparation for these devotionals.
Meg, I am so sorry that everything seems to be happening at once. You would not think a 4ft. fall could cause so much damage.
Thank you for sharing such an amazing testimony. We are all in a battle, going through a battle or coming out a battle; All Praises to God for his Amazing Grace n Mercy, Thank you again 🙏
Yes, we are good at taking things, especially our bodies, for granted. Then when suddenly things make an abrupt about face, we panic. I know that I need to be more grateful for my body parts that work like they’re supposed to. When we’re at the cancer center and I see so many adults that are in far worse shape than Larry, I do quietly thank God that he’s doing as well as he is. Being around so many very sick people in the fight of their lives does remind me to be thankful and to pray for the others. Now I am focusing on what works and the positives in my life, instead of all of the things I won’t be able to do for 6-8 weeks after the shoulder replacement surgery.
Ginger, you and Larry are tough cookies, so I know you’ll come through shoulder surgery with flying colors.
Thank you for this message, Tania. A thoughtful one to kick off the week!
Tania, thank you for reminding us to be thankful for our many blessings that we often forget about. I look forward to your devotionals. God bless you for all you do.
Sunday devotion today was very powerful for me. Within a week my life changed, I have high grade bladder cancer. Multiple tumors that will be removed next week, then sent out for biopsy. My symptom was slight urine bleeding for a few hours whenever I urinated. No burning,no pain nothing! Went to urologist and he saw tumors on ultrasound. Had ct urogram, and cystologram that week. Whenever you see blood in your urine seek medical help.
Thankfully you went to the doctor to have everything checked out. I’ve always heard to go to the doctor if you see any blood in the urine,; thanks for the reminder.
P.S.
Thank you for this post. I always look forward to your Sunday posts as well as your dailey post. Very informative.
Linda