everyday... my reality, my eternity

Everyday, I wake up from a short, restless night. A night that usually consists of about 2-4 hours of sleep. And everyday, I usually wake up in great physical pain. Mind you, not enough pain to stop me from moving altogether, but enough discomfort to make me groan in agony and discourage my will to try. Everyday, it is not unusual for me to wonder if, on that day, I will be able to stand up straight, or walk without limping, or climb stairs, much less make it out and about. Will it be a day in which I require the aid of a cane or not? Will I need to take pain killers today to get me though the throbbing parts of my person that plainly disagree with these fickle weather fronts? Will I be able to walk from point A to point B without serious issue... without my knees buckling... without my back spasming... without injuring myself further... without causing more pain? Everyday, I face these hard questions. Everyday.

You see, overall I appear to be healthy to anyone glancing in my direction. But in truth, I have several difficult issues that will likely hinder me physically the rest of my earthly life. I suffer from degenerative discs in my lower spine and instabilities in both my weary knees due to some life-altering accidents. In the course of my days, I have broken just about every bone there is to break and have accompanying nerve damage and sciatica issues to boot. I have had more surgeries and artificial parts inserted into me than I could ever recount. (I just tell people I'm bionic at this point. Ha ha.) Furthermore, I have constant tingling and limited movement in my right hand due to an injury that actually caused my nerves to stop functioning for some time. (What a lesson in humility that was!) Also, I suffer from insomnia, severe arthritis, occipital neuralgia with ongoing migraines, and accompanying weight/health issues due to the after effects of medications and my ongoing need to exercise more without further hurting myself. So, everyday my simply getting up in the morning, after receiving very little sleep... after my body has stiffened up, can be a great challenge to both my physical frame and emotional psyche.

This is my reality, dear readers.  Everyday.

However, everyday I am still reminded that my Great Physician faithfully cares for me. That my Redeemer still intercedes for me. That my Shepherd comforts me. That my Father still protects me. Everyday, my God has continued to loosen my joints and lessen my pain (even if just a little) so that I can get going, get moving, and get living for Him! Under His perfect care, He has allowed me the opportunity to move nearer to His heart and closer to His Throne in my praise and thanksgiving - - even through the trials of this ole' girl's body.... ESPECIALLY through the trials of this ole' girl's body!

Everyday, before I even have the chance to take in His Word or share His message of good news with others, God continues to awaken me to a new, glorious day of opportunity. A day where I can recognize the many gifts that He has peppered throughout my life. And, everyday is a new day that He offers me the honor of serving Him in some special way exclusive only to me - - even if I'm in pain... even if I can't do what I once was able to do physically. Everyday, my Master offers His full, true purpose - intended only for me, his blessed child, to uniquely carry out in His Name. I am important and valuable to His kingdom! YEA! In fact, everyday my Redeemer asks me to faithfully "be me in Him" and FOR HIM! How wonderful, right? How awesome to be given the opportunity to serve the King of kings directly!

Everyday, my God insures that I am alive and protected under His grace. (And, oh, so many graces does our Heavenly Lord provide, people!) Everyday, the earth in which I inhabit continues to orbit the sun in the exact location it is supposed to be in this enormous universe - all without burning me to a crisp or freezing me to death. Everyday, this planet where I have been placed contains exactly the atmospheric conditions and vegetation required in order for me to exist and survive. All because my gracious God oversees everyday for my good. All because my Master has a plan for my purpose. How can I not shout out in praise for this Messiah? If not me, the rocks will do it for me!!!

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." (Luke 19:37-40)

Everyday, I wake up knowing that my Jesus loves me... yes, ME - Victoria Anderson! How incredible is it that the Creator of all heaven and earth loves me enough to call me His beloved??? Hallelujah! Trust me when I tell you, there is no better way to regain a spring in your step than knowing such wonderful news! Oh, rejoice my soul! The Lord is on my side! The Lord will see me through!!!

Everyday, I begin my new day - THIS DAY - realizing the promise of the cross that He died on to save me, the hope of His presence insured always beside me, and the joy of His kingdom that surely awaits me! Indeed, this is the day to be glad in Him, folks! This is the day to "be me in Him"... FOR HIM!!!

This is my eternity, dear readers... EVERYDAY!!!

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts,“Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the LORD will return.

They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. (Isaiah 35)

So, what's your everyday look like?

Blessings!

Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson