My New Normal

How is it that every day you give me exactly what I need. Let every thing that hath breath praise The Lord. Praise ye The Lord. Psalm 150:6 I cannot improve on this so here it is. God looked down upon His creation and saw that it was good. In time, Gods creation looked back and saw that God was good. Together they formed a unity of love an devotion. Through the covenant, all creation was brought into harmony. The Lord loves his children and many of His children love Him back. Praise The Lord with all your being. with each breath you take remember the Lord is God. Nothing you do is done apart from Him. Wherever you go, God is there. He wil never leave those who love Him. He gives us New Years and new challenges, and He helps us to grow and learn. We can enter the phases of life confident that God goes forth with us. Praise The Lord. one and all. The Lord has been very good to His children. (taken from A Collection of Thanksgiving Blessings, Barbour Publishings, 2012) I love the last part where the writer says, He gives us New Years and new challenges and helps us to grow and learn. How cool is that. I am most definately in a new year and new challenge phase and it has stopped me in my tracks. I'm still not sure why all these changes have occurred but they have re-shaped and molded a new perspective for me. It's what I'm calling, my "new normal". It all began about 6 weeks ago. Can it really be that it's only been 6 weeks. I discovered one Saturday after enjoying lunch with my momma, that I had terrible indigestion that lasted all afternoon. The sharp pain in my chest that over the course of the day extended into my back, jaw and left arm. Now I'm. Firefight/EMT with 12 years experience and I know what the symptoms sounded like but I kept telling myself that I'm only 48 years old. This is not possible. I had a long weekend off work so I took the time to rest and try to relax but over the next few 48 hours my heart rate elevated with a terrible headache and dizziness with nausea increased. But I could not believe it. I'm only 48 and in good shape. Don't smoke. Work out regularly and have a reasonably healthy diet. Yea I eat stress for breakfast and do tend to burn the candle at both ends but doesn't everyone. It cannot be what it feels like. I'm just over reacting. Well, after a stay in the hospital and a near death experience I have to say it kind of was exactly what I was sure it was not. To date, I've been on the equivalent of house arrest and my resident wardens run a tough shift. I don't drive, very limited activity, No caffeine, no alcohol and no salt. NO FUN!!! I haven't driven in over a month. I've crochet blankets, made slippers, quilted, painted and taken up my sketch book again, repotted house plants, fed the birds, read numerous books and played with the pugs. But more than anything, God has gotten my full attention really quickly and I am learning more and more every day how really blessed I am. I've been able to see soccer games in a new light, watch my son play baseball, see the snow fall and listen to my oldest share her dreams for her future. I've studied anatomy with my Duke and had wonderful visits with my precious Mimi. I've been treated to girl talk with so many sweet friends and laughed at the antics of squirrels on the deck. I've also felt the strength and support of my husband of 25 years. He's held me through nights of fear and pain and been my anchor. We have had an outpouring of generosity and love from our church and dear friend that has left me speechless and humbled. Yes, I am blessed. Blessed beyond measure. The problem, which has been, for the past few weeks masked by medication, will be addressed this Thursday. I do not anticipate any problems. The dr gives me no reason to believe there will be anything to worry about. I have 3 avenues to proceed with and we are, of course taking the most conservative first. If all goes according to plan then I'll be back at work in a week or two. It's been a journey and one that has taught me so much. Mostly it's shown me anew just what is important and what is not. If I can leave you with one thing it would be this, Nothing you do is done apart from Him. Wherever you go, God is there. He wil never leave those who love Him. He gives us New Years and new challenges, and He helps us to grow and learn. We can enter the phases of life confident that God goes forth with us. Yes, and God is a good God. I will keep you all posted.