This Thanksgiving hits differently for various reasons. I can focus on the loved ones that are gone, including one in particular, making this our first Thanksgiving without her. I can focus on perceived losses and goals not yet fulfilled. But what really made me cry this morning…
Over the past few days, all I can think about is the surgeon who changed my life and saved me from permanent paralysis. Sometimes, we are so used to pain that we normalize it. It wasn’t until after the procedure that I realized what life without pain from head to toe felt like. I even thought about how I wanted to schedule the surgery months later so I could finish our summer non-profit youth program that hadn’t launched yet. And when I tried to move forward with the surgery IMMEDIATELY, we ended up not being able to have it until several months later, and right before the paralysis seemed to be making a permanent home.
When I think back to my prayer as they wheeled me in: “God, I’ll know it worked when I wake up and am able to move all my fingers. I believe in you, and I have nothing to fear. You’ve placed me in the best hands, and you’re in control.”
Trust me, that was a bold prayer of faith. I literally watched my grandfather go from back surgery all the way to hospice and then death. And here I was, allowing someone to operate on my SPINE (cervical spinal fusion)! I was terrified, but God reminded me that I was not my grandfather and my outcome had nothing to do with his. And I guess this is really the message I want to share with you today.
As long as there is breath in your body, you have nothing but infinite possibilities ahead of you. Things may be delayed, but they ARE NOT denied. I don’t care where you come from, even if you started in the gutter, you have everything within you to get to the top. I don’t care how hard the enemy has come for you, as long as God rests, rules, and abides over your life, you’re COVERED!
When I think back over my life-being sick since two weeks of birth, missing the majority of every school year until high school but still maintaining excellent grades, and the car accident that should’ve been fatal, but I still walked away. Lol, I should’ve known that even after decades of excruciating pain, a cervical spinal fusion surgery, even in the heat of the pandemic, would not take me out. Heck, God even moved me to a praying hospital, so I knew I was covered COVERED!
If God wanted to take me out, He would have done it a LONG time ago. There were times I prayed He would to escape my childhood abuse. So, today, I have EVERY reason to be grateful, and I’m betting you do too. Sure, I missed those loved ones that have died, God knows I do. There is nothing I wouldn’t give for one more hug, one more laugh, or one more conversation. But in the circle of life, they ran their course, and now they’ve moved on. And if we’re blessed and fortunate enough, one day, someone will say the same of us and miss us terribly too.
Until then, my friend, I’m going to LIVE! I’m going to spend today in LOVE & enjoying LOVE with family and friends. I’m going to do a little of the creative magic because I love what I do, but when it’s time for the festivities, that’s it! I plan to spend those moments all in, feasting on the love of friends that became family, laughs, memories, and great food. I’m going to enjoy the air as it fills my lungs and breathe in all the goodness of life. Why? Because I’m blessed enough to be here, better than ever, and to partake in it all.
Seasons Greetings and Happy Thanksgiving (which isn’t about a holiday but all the reasons we have to be thankful). Please be a dear heart and do two things for me: 1) Share this message to encourage someone else, and 2) feel free to comment and let me know what you’re thankful for or what your takeaway is from this message. Bye-bye for now!
Alesha Brown, CEO, Fruition Publishing Concierge Services™
Editor-in-Chief, Published! Magazine
Award-Winning Entrepreneur|Publisher|Transformational Speak
