Friday, November 16, 2018

Seeing God in the Hard Times by Jordyn Redwood

This time of year can be difficult for people going through hard times. Everyone on social media is posting their thirty days of gratitude and all you might want to do is put a big red "X" through every post. As a nurse, I see lives turn head over heels every day. Sometimes, in small ways, but other times in a life changing event. That day becomes the before and after day.

This was Christmas for me last year. About a week before the holiday, my grandfather unexpectedly had a stroke. Complications of the stroke are what ultimately killed him two days before Christmas.

Looking back, there were blessings during that time. Conversations and bonding happened between distant family members. I solidified with my step-grandmother how important she was to my daughters as they had never known my biological maternal grandmother as she had died when my oldest was not even six months old.

To say the least, it put a damper on the holidays. I felt slightly robbed and so I decided to leave a small Christmas tree up through the year. I only took it down this last August just before my oldest daughter's 16th birthday. It would have been just too much to explain why it was still up.

I think it's natural to ask and wonder why we are suffering. Whether illness, loss of job, loss of dreams, loss of income . . . name any type of hardship you want here. However, more often times than not, when looking back, there is some sort of blessing in the tragedy. Most often times, it has pulled us closer to God. It's helped us to recognize His domain over our lives-- that really He is the one in control (all control freaks-- you can get in my pick-up truck. This is my daily battle).

I've suffered with migraines for years. I'm doing much better now, but there are still times that they get the better of me. This was the case a few weeks ago. I had worked several night shifts and still had one more to go when I woke up in the afternoon with a crushing headache. I've never called out sick for a headache-- let alone a migraine-- but there wasn't a way I could battle through another twelve hours with that pain. Graciously, my manger let me stay home without it counting as a sick call because another nurse was able to cover.

About 10:30pm, my youngest yells down from the top of the stairs with complaints of not being able to sleep. She wants to "snuggle". Now, she is fourteen, but whatever-- I'll take these moments when I can get them. After she was settled in, she immediately begins to cry. Fifteen minutes later, I'm able to coax out of her what's been going on. She says, "Mom, I'm so glad you were home and that you were up."

Which I wouldn't have been if I'd woken up headache free.

All I could think was, "This is the reason for my pain. This is why I'm home tonight."

And I was grateful in that moment.

Recently, a friend of mine broke her arm. Because of that injury, she was able to go on a trip with her husband who needed her support emotionally. An oncology nurse once told me cancer was a blessing. I was flabbergasted and asked her why. Her statement, "In emergency medicine, death is sudden and unexpected. In oncology, we have time to say goodbye."

It may not happen right away, that clear vision that hindsight represents, but look for it during those times of hardship no matter what the season. Always remember, God does not abandon His people.

Happy Thanksgiving.

*******************************************************************************
Jordyn Redwood is a pediatric nursing supervisor by night, suspense novelist by day. She hosts Redwood’s Medical Edge, a blog devoted to helping contemporary and historical authors write medically accurate fiction. Jordyn’s novels have been nominated for multiple awards and she recently won the Contemporary Romance Writers Stiletto Contest with her novel Taken Hostage. You can connect with Jordyn via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and her website.

14 comments:

  1. What a beautiful and thought-provoking post! Thank you for these reminders, Jordyn!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Laurel! I miss you and hope you're getting geared up for a joyful, Christ centered holiday season.

      Delete
  2. Jordyn, I loved your post. It struck home with me because a few years back we lost my father-in-law before Christmas. It definitely put a damper on the holiday, but as we looked back on the days before, there were precious moments spent with him that were true blessings. Thanks for sharing your story.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely, Jordyn. Years ago, my parents came to visit for Christmas. We all got the flu. I had my three month old infant in the ER two days before Christmas, my other two young children were also sick...I was as well...and my mother died two days following Christmas, on December 27. I often call that period "the dark night of my soul," but I was buoyed and supported by the outreach of our Christian community. I saw Christ in each of them as they surrounded us with their love, prayers, concern and acts of kindness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, Debby, that is a lot and definitely warrants the phrase "dark night". I also think hardship is a way for us to see "Jesus with skin on." as a friend of mine used to say--- when others step in to help.

      Delete
  4. Thank you for this reminder that sometimes our greatest blessings come disguised as difficulty or heartache. Many years ago, I was ill with stomach issues for several weeks, with barely the energy to get out of bed some mornings. Every evening, my husband would sit with me and read aloud a chapter or two from The Chronicles of Narnia, and as I began feeling better, we took turns reading to each other. It was a very special time of closeness, just as I know you'll always treasure those special moments snuggling with your daughter.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very timely post. Thank you so much for the message and the reminder of how great is our God.

    ReplyDelete

  6. What a great post, Jordyn. Migraines are terrible. My now 23 year old has suffered from them ever since she was about 12. Thankfully, they've gotten a lot better. And you are so right about seizing the moments with your loved ones. Those moments are precious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For sure and I'm glad your daughter is doing better, too.

      Delete
  7. Thanks for sharing, Jordyn. You're right, God is faithful! Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is a very timely post. I'm flying down to California to visit family, some of whom are now homeless due to the fires. A lifetime of memories gone, but there is still a lot to be thankful for.
    I am thankful that I can still reach out and give them a hug.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, Evelyn. Blessings on your travels and you're right-- much to be thankful for if they are alive. As hard as it is . . . tangible things can be replaced.

      Delete

Popular Posts

Write for Love Inspired Romance?

Write for Love Inspired Romance?
If you do and would like to join this blog, please contact either Margaret Daley or Pamela Tracy

Total Pageviews

Blog Archive