Happy Monday!
Today’s a special day for me, a day worthy of a special word-of-the-week…
ANNIVERSARY
Twenty-four years ago today, December 5, 1987, I got out of bed and walked downstairs. That night I slept fitfully in a special ICU bed, my neck immobilized to prevent further spinal cord damage from three shattered vertebrae.
Today’s the anniversary of the day my life changed.
December 5th certainly isn’t an occasion for celebration, but it’s not a sad or depressing day either. It’s not a day for regrets or what-if’s or if-only’s. It’s just another day to move forward and focus on what I can do rather than what I can’t.
I used to believe it was better to ignore December 5th, but with time the date has become a prompt for counting my blessings and reflecting on how much progress I’ve made. The injury wasn’t good, but God brought incredible blessings from a senseless tragedy.
I don’t remember many details from that night twenty-four years ago. But I couldn’t have imagined teaching from a wheelchair, publishing a book, or cranking a handcycle 1500 miles.
We all have anniversaries of difficult events. We grieve, and life moves on. And if we’re lucky we perceive God’s perfect faithfullness in even the most painful moments.
I’m going to write some about the injury this week, because an anniversary is a time to reflect. If you struggle with a difficult anniversary, perhaps we can learn from each other.
Have a greaat week.