You know the lady with the red nose, puffy eyes and crazy bedhead from the Nyquil commercials? She looks good compared to me. In fact, she looks like she just walked out from the cover of Vogue compared to me. I just can’t get it together with this cold~ it’s kicking my butt. The Nyquil helped the “sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, fever” thing last night but, in exchange, I had some wicked weird dreams. Tonight, I stick to melatonin and discard the crazy witch’s brew.
On the bright side, this is my first hiccup of 2013. Strange as it may sound, the minute the 2012 calendar was discarded into the garbage, things kind of turned round. Life has just been smoother… in every area. SO thankful for that turn of events and it warms my heart when I hear of others experiencing the same good fortune. It feels long overdue, doesn’t it?
And, then, this morning during a rather impressive sneezing bout, I realized that maybe my “luck” didn’t change so much as my attitude changed. Maybe 2013 has been kinder than 2012 because I was focusing on the rear view mirror instead of looking out the front windshield. Maybe I was worried about things beyond my control? Maybe I obsessed on what I thought should be my reward for being so diligent and faithful in my walk with Christ? Maybe I felt like I had “suffered” and now wanted the fruits of my unending unhappiness?
Poor.pitiful.me.
So dumb. Like Glenda in the Wizard of Oz said…”You had the power all along.” I did. 
Well, I had the power to rely on Christ and not my own feelings. Had I done so, I probably could have saved myself another calendar year of frustration. It wasn’t 2012’s fault…or 2011 or….well, you get the idea. To quote Glenda once again, I should have looked at my feelings and declared “Be gone! You have no power here!”
So I’m laying here mustering up the strength to walk to the kitchen instead of rolling over for more sleep and I’m more thankful today than any day in recent memory. That has got to be attributed to an attitude of thankfulness. I am grateful for this shift in thinking….I don’t deserve happiness but He is merciful and wants us to be happy. I don’t deserve health but am blessed by it. There is nothing like a good, old fashioned head cold to remind you of that!
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ~2 Corinthians 12:9
Thank God I can boast about my weaknesses….just think of the blog material so many weaknesses can provide!
Be blessed,
Amy
2013 hasn’t been so good to me thus far. We’re not even through the first month of the year, and already I’ve experienced the death of my sweet dad, a sinus infection, a bad UTI, and now a diagnosis of mono.Every morning when I wake up, my natural inclination is to throw a pity party for one, but I’m quickly reminded by the Holy Spirit that I have a new nature, and that new nature is able to testify to all the good that God has done and is doing.He is always good, always kind, always faithful, and always present with us in our circumstances.There will always be sickness, death, and disappointment in this place where we’ve made temporary homes, but we were made for so much more. Even now, God is preparing a forever home for you and me and, in THAT place, there will be no more illness or goodbyes or darkness or evil—just light and love and glory! All of this “stuff” we’re going through on earth will barely be a blip on the radar of eternity. On rainy, winter days like today, I can honestly say that I’m ready! Hope you’re quickly over that headcold, Amy, and thanks for the reminder of how important it is to be remain grateful.
Maria, thank YOU for always writing the words that inspire and lift me up. This life is a fleeting moment… A vapor… I know recent weeks have been a struggle and I am keeping you in prayer for brighter days ahead. Love you and can’t wait to spend some time with you over coffee next month.
YES! I’ll be in Tampa a week from today. Going to see my aunt and uncle in Indian Shores Tuesday, but maybe we can get together Wed or Thurs? I’m heading back home on Friday. My goal for the week is, at least, to get dad’s clothes boxed up, but I’ll definitely make time for a mid-morning coffee break. Can’t wait!