Category: The Unexpected

This blog week we have been talking about the unexpected things that arise in our lives and how they effect us. But the truth is although we generally do not have control over these things, we do have control of how we respond to them. That’s right, the choice is inevitably up to us.

My daughter, Morgan is a prime example of this. As some of you already know, this past September a chloroma (cancerous tumor)  was found above her left eye as a result of her relapsing with leukemia 3 months prior. As you can see from the photo, her eyelid was swollen shut and discolored. These symptoms lasted several weeks.

Morgan could have allowed this unexpected diagnosis on top of the leukemia  to rob her of joy. After all,  it required her to be admitted into the hospital twice for a week or more at a time, undergo surgery and then radiation. However, she took on a different approach. While there were some not so good days , she chose to take one day at a time and to be thankful for each of them. During that process, she learned a lot about herself and grew as a young woman. While she did not have control over the chloroma, she did have control of her response to it. As her mother, I’d have to say that her response was that of a champion.

My friends, unexpected events will come. And none of us will be able to dodge them when they do. But, we do not have to give them power. No, instead we can embrace the power that we have been given, be confident in that , and be assured the this too shall pass!

I hope you guys have a great Thursday afternoon and a wonderful weekend! I’ll plan on seeing you here on Monday. Take care!!!

Warmest regards,

Salina Watson

 

Have you ever noticed how when unplanned events happen in our lives we become more present and aware of things? Not only that, but we tend to be more compassionate towards others as a result. I can certainly see where this has been the case in my own life.

5 years ago this coming May, my family and I had to put our little dog, Pistach down unexpectedly. Out of no where one Monday morning he became very ill. 5 short days later on my 22nd wedding anniversary  we found ourselves at an emergency clinic late that evening having him “put to sleep”. As you can imagine, this unexpected event left my family and I heartbroken.  Honestly, we were all devastated.

One of the things that I found interesting after his passing is just how much we missed the little things he would do that brought us such joy. Many of which we still talk about to this day.  He would do things like meet us at the door after a long work &/or school day as though he was welcoming us home. And he always seemed so happy to see us. The one thing that he would do with me was join me in the kitchen super early in the mornings. He would sit quietly staring at me waiting on a treat and  became very excited when I would offer one to him.

The thing is, I think we took these things for granted until they were no longer a part of our day. Not only did the unplanned event force us to be more present and aware of the joy that he brought us as a result of his absence, but we became more compassionate towards others who have faced similar situations since.

I think this is what the Lord was referring to when he said, ” I will take what was meant for your harm and use it for your good”. See, although unplanned events often cause things to happen that we would not have chosen on our own, they ultimately work in our favor by forcing us to learn and grow. In hindsight can you see where this may have been the case in your own life? Has there been something that has happened unexpectedly that has helped you to see things differently or perhaps notice something for the first time? Could the Lord have used it to help you grow in some way?  I’m guessing the answer is yes.

While none of us like being surprised by unexpected events like the one that I shared with you today, lets strive to find something good in them. For there is always something good to be found, if we have the eyes to see it!

Warmest regards,

Salina Watson

 

What are somethings that happen to us when our agenda’s for the day or for our life change in an instant due to unforeseen circumstances? I can’t speak for everyone, but for me, I draw closer to the Lord. Now, I haven’t always been this way; however, with time and experience I have learned that it is the one and only thing that gets me through the situation whether it be significant or insignificant.

Take my daughter, Morgan’s illness for instance. As many of you already know, she relapsed with leukemia in June 2018 and has been receiving treatment since that time. As you can imagine, this along with her initial diagnosis in December 2009 were unexpected and life changing, to say the least. Everything that we were doing and planning at the time that we received the news of both came to a halt. Needless to say, our lives took on completely different directions each time.

During moments like this it is easy to get discouraged, loose hope and ask why. That is, when life does not go the way that we plan for it to or think that it should. Thankfully, the Lord is in control and has a plan for it all. While I do not believe that he causes things like this to happen, I do believe that he uses it for our good. This is where faith comes in, my friends. We must trust that the unexpected things that arise in our lives will be used for our good. In my case, Morgan’s illness has truly deepened my relationship with our Creator and allowed me to share my faith with the world.

So, is there something in your life that has happened unexpectedly? Could the Lord be using it to change you in some way? It may not be an illness, but something that you were not planning on, none the less. Perhaps it’s time to look at it from a different angle. You might just find that there is something within it that is meant to help you…not harm or discourage you.

 

Warmest regards,

Salina Watson