Mr. Webster defines "attitude" as "a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person's behavior". I found this to be a fairly true definition of the word I recall often.
Someday I might not remember well, but for now, I remember vividly what my first rheumatologist told me over twenty years ago as he diagnosed me with connective tissue problems. He looked me square in the eye and told me that this was not a fun disease but that a good attitude would make all the difference in the world with how I dealt with the disease and with life. I never forgot that and can still see that scene in my mind's eye as I recall it. It impacted me.
With that said, some days it obviously doesn't impact me enough. This past week has been many of those days. It's been a week of sadness, joy, apprehension, fear (uh huh, even fear), and mind searching. You might say one of those weeks you would prefer to fast forward through.
My sweet young friend who fought serious health issues passed to the arms of Jesus the first of the week. She really got into my heart. It's hard to explain, just one of those emotionally spiritual things that becomes such a blessing. I think if good attitude was defined with pictures, hers would be the top one in the google search engine. What she went through and the light she shined to so many is a wonderful testimony to her. I am sad for the loss but blessed by the knowing.
There was a busy day on Wednesday with a doctor's appointment for me with my rheumatologist in the morning and one for my mother with her doctor in the afternoon, then choir practice that night. It was one of the busiest days. The wise rheumatologist from twenty years ago has passed so I see another that I like equally well and is very knowledgeable about the diseases he treats. This past appointment marked my ending with him as he is retiring in December. We are working together until then to see if my back problem can improve. My issue is that I can non longer take NSAID's to help. A hip X-ray showed no fracture so the focus in on the back. I'm not gonna lie you, I hurt most days and have done for years but this back hurts very bad. I'm thinking picking those peas has aggravated the problem. Yesterday I began physical therapy to see if there can be an improvement. I committed to one month, twice weekly with daily work at home. I really hope this improves it. It really hurts. I try to remember the good attitude thing through the pain.
Late Thursday I had a message from my sweet 101 year old neighbor asking me to come by as she wanted to talk to me. I told her I would come after supper so I headed over that way. The Lord just knows, I think, what we need. After our conversation regarding her reason for wanting me to come, the Lord put on my heart to pray aloud with her. I argued and told him I really didn't know that would help. (You see, I admit to being human and having a bad day leaving me in a somewhat bad mood. Yes, I'm guilty like all.) As we sat and I got ready to go, she told me, "I don't do good praying aloud, I pray to the Lord quietly myself. I do love hearing prayers, though. The pastor can really pray some good ones." So there I was. Busted. Convicted. So you know what I did? I told her I wanted to pray aloud with her and for her. Let me tell you, don't you ever doubt the good Lord knows what you need when you need it. I got the biggest blessing and got to talk to him aloud about my "attitude", if you will and I left that house in wonderful spirits.
Late in the week as I was cleaning out some of my home files, I found something interesting. I keep a lot of wise thoughts that are written that I enjoy. I don't know exactly where this came from but I'm sure it's a direct sign to me. So good, I wanted to share. Coincidence? Nah....
He speaks yet again. Consider.....
Someday I might not remember well, but for now, I remember vividly what my first rheumatologist told me over twenty years ago as he diagnosed me with connective tissue problems. He looked me square in the eye and told me that this was not a fun disease but that a good attitude would make all the difference in the world with how I dealt with the disease and with life. I never forgot that and can still see that scene in my mind's eye as I recall it. It impacted me.
With that said, some days it obviously doesn't impact me enough. This past week has been many of those days. It's been a week of sadness, joy, apprehension, fear (uh huh, even fear), and mind searching. You might say one of those weeks you would prefer to fast forward through.
My sweet young friend who fought serious health issues passed to the arms of Jesus the first of the week. She really got into my heart. It's hard to explain, just one of those emotionally spiritual things that becomes such a blessing. I think if good attitude was defined with pictures, hers would be the top one in the google search engine. What she went through and the light she shined to so many is a wonderful testimony to her. I am sad for the loss but blessed by the knowing.
There was a busy day on Wednesday with a doctor's appointment for me with my rheumatologist in the morning and one for my mother with her doctor in the afternoon, then choir practice that night. It was one of the busiest days. The wise rheumatologist from twenty years ago has passed so I see another that I like equally well and is very knowledgeable about the diseases he treats. This past appointment marked my ending with him as he is retiring in December. We are working together until then to see if my back problem can improve. My issue is that I can non longer take NSAID's to help. A hip X-ray showed no fracture so the focus in on the back. I'm not gonna lie you, I hurt most days and have done for years but this back hurts very bad. I'm thinking picking those peas has aggravated the problem. Yesterday I began physical therapy to see if there can be an improvement. I committed to one month, twice weekly with daily work at home. I really hope this improves it. It really hurts. I try to remember the good attitude thing through the pain.
Late Thursday I had a message from my sweet 101 year old neighbor asking me to come by as she wanted to talk to me. I told her I would come after supper so I headed over that way. The Lord just knows, I think, what we need. After our conversation regarding her reason for wanting me to come, the Lord put on my heart to pray aloud with her. I argued and told him I really didn't know that would help. (You see, I admit to being human and having a bad day leaving me in a somewhat bad mood. Yes, I'm guilty like all.) As we sat and I got ready to go, she told me, "I don't do good praying aloud, I pray to the Lord quietly myself. I do love hearing prayers, though. The pastor can really pray some good ones." So there I was. Busted. Convicted. So you know what I did? I told her I wanted to pray aloud with her and for her. Let me tell you, don't you ever doubt the good Lord knows what you need when you need it. I got the biggest blessing and got to talk to him aloud about my "attitude", if you will and I left that house in wonderful spirits.
Late in the week as I was cleaning out some of my home files, I found something interesting. I keep a lot of wise thoughts that are written that I enjoy. I don't know exactly where this came from but I'm sure it's a direct sign to me. So good, I wanted to share. Coincidence? Nah....
He speaks yet again. Consider.....
No comments:
Post a Comment