Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Today was one of those days I wasn't sure how I was going to get everything done. I worked two different jobs for 5 hours and volunteered at two different events for 5 hours today. I felt like I was rushing from one thing to another and trying to just make it through the day. One of my jobs is a classroom facilitator or shadow for a sweet little girl with Down Syndrome. I have nannied for her since she was born and she will be 4 years old in December. With my assistance, she is able to attend regular preschool! It is one of the most rewarding jobs watching her grow and change every day. Each time she struggles with things, I thank God for the things I am able to do. She doesn't talk much yet and gets very frustrated trying to communicate. When people do not understand her, she grunts and gets upset. I am thankful I can speak. After leaving school, I went to the hospital to volunteer at the March of Dimes NICU reunion. We had over 350 NICU graduates there and over 700 people in total. My job was to take their picture on a cute little saddle (the theme was cowboy/cowgirl) So many of these babies and older children had physical abnormalities or developmental delays. Some were in wheelchairs, some missing physical features, some so tiny and behind their actual age. The parents of these little ones were so grateful for every day their child has been alive and thankful they made it out of the neonatal ICU, as some do not.
After the reunion, I went straight to the bereavement group that I volunteer for. It is for families who have lost a child to cancer. I do arts and crafts with the siblings while the parents have a support group. To watch these parents struggle with daily life without their child is so hard. Parents should never have to bury a child. And yet, they hold their heads high, are thankful for the time they did have with that child, and try to do everything they can do glorify God in the process. Talk about counting your blessings. Today I have spent time with children with special needs, developmental delays, and families who have lost a child to cancer. Having a lifelong disease really doesn't seem so bad on days like these. It may interfere with my life and get me down sometimes, but I count my blessings. I am blessed with an incredible family, boyfriend, and friends who love me no matter what. I may have days when my legs don't work, my body can't regulate temperature, or my joints are dislocating, but I am here! I am here for a purpose! And I thank God for that! I cannot wait to see what He has planned for me.
Count your blessings today and everyday! No matter what you are going through in life, look at the blessings He has given you. He has given you today, tomorrow, the next day....what are you going to do with it? Glorify Him in all that you do!
