As you have probably figured out by now, I haven’t been able to post my weekly Wednesday blog since late August… it seems like the past months have been filled with transitions of one sort or another.
When I left the world of education, I thought my August/September would be my own again… no more 60 hour weeks… with random schedules that accommodate testing, trainings, mentoring, hiring, etc.
However, at the end of this past July…my second year out of the education ring… I once again, asked God, “Do you think I can handle going back to work? I feel pretty good… my symptoms are still there but I am definitely learning to work around them. I have been blessed by sweet tutoring students once again this summer… reminding me of my love for teaching, and the joy of watching their learning grow. Lord, maybe I could handle part-time work, or even volunteer… I know they always need extra help – these 2 months especially. What do you think?”
No sooner had the prayer left my lips and my life became a series of what I call “unexpecteds.” They have not been bad things… but life has been plenty-full of things that again, humble me to my place of retreat to abate post-concussion symptoms. So… I believe His answer to my July prayer… has been delivered.
One translation of the Bible reads Psalm 23:1 like this: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.” To me, to be in want means I am hungering for what I don’t have (or what I don’t think I have). This correlates so beautifully to Paul’s writings in Philippians 4:11 “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”
What I hear the Lord saying to me is that I am to be content in all things… even if my exact prayer doesn’t seem to be answered; even if it doesn’t seem like what is happening is best for me or my family; even if His answer takes me in the opposite direction. By being in want, I think I miss HIS ANSWER to my prayer because I am so focused on that desire in which I am pleading for – with Him. Yet, I find His true answer and acceptance thereof, only if I am keeping my communication lines open with Him… at that point… I must ask myself… who am I to doubt His response? Who am I to doubt the Creator of all things? The Perfecter of our Faith? The King of Kings?
So, as my weekly story got so abruptly interrupted… I humbly ask you to be patient with my inability to keep up with life this past August/September… and along with me, accept my answer to prayer that I am where God wants me to be right now… rather than longing for what I don’t think I have.
As I transition back into the groove of writing my story and gathering your stories, please note more upcoming transitions for tripping UP the DOWN escalator (tUtDe) …
- You can rejoin the ongoing story of my concussion journey in late-October.
- If you are on Facebook, I will be inviting you to join ‘the tUtDe page’ instead of getting weekly blog updates through my personal FB account.
- I am going to attempt adding Twitter and possibly Instagram to my world… aaahhh! Maybe?!
- Our ‘on the lighter side’ section that was projected to debut in July will hopefully be accessible by the end of the year (between technology, life events and reality… it just takes soooo much time!).
Thanks much for your continued interest in our website and blog! PLEASE remember this can be a tool for those suffering from any Invisible Illness and/or Injury… please connect those who are in need of support to our resources within this site. Please also remember that we are always gathering your personal stories to be able to reach out to others. Here are some current story topics that are in the works:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Miscarriage
- Lyme Disease
- Diabetes
- Chiari Malformation
I hope to begin featuring these topics, and more, in the spring.
Do you know someone suffering from an Invisible Illness or Injury?? Encourage him to WRITE his story and submit it. It is good therapy for the writer and great support for our readers!
tripping UP the DOWN escalator 
Thanks Lisa. Just a thought, have a friend who’s 31 year old daughter died unexpectedly 6 years ago. I know she suffers silently. Wonder what an interview type story could look like. Just a thought. Love to you and family.
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I think that is a wonderful idea! Let me know when and how I can help make that happen. The loss of a child, at any age… I cannot imagine her pain. So sorry for her. Sometimes, writing or talking it through can be therapeutic… I hope it will be for her.
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WELCOME BACK…I am glad that God has a sense of humor because it is funny sometimes when we run down this road of life thinking we are on the path we were meant to be just to find out that there was a sign about a mile or more back that said DETOUR….We just happen to find the sign as we back track wondering where did I go wrong. Sometimes though, the road we traveled provides a Good (And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28) we did not know we needed or wanted and really still do not want…But, like you said if we listen and pay attention we are called to a transition. Miss you my wonderfully beautiful Sister in God!
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