Against the Odds

This morning I was chatting with my mother. I told her that during my morning meditation and prayers I started to recall and even speak out loud battles won things I made it through and felt like I wouldnt. I think I needed to hear myself say it.  I can recall a personal testimonial that Pastor Smith shared during his message when I visited, He said 14 years ago he received a kidney transplant and to this day is healthy and takes no dialysis.  Also,  years ago his father was pronounced dead yet he’s alive and well today.  I remember how a friend mentioned his income is substantially lower today than 4 years ago yet he's still in his house and the list goes on.  Of course a current event such as the Representative Gabrielle Gifford’s come to mind.  She was shot at point blank range in the head on last week in Tucson Arizona.  According to the Associated Press, Alicia Chang reports the story on today making mention of the surgeons on the representative’s team Dr. Peter Rhee and Dr. Michael Lemole, which happens to be the brother in law of Dr. Oz from the Oprah Show.  The doctors have two very different responses to the press. Dr. Rhee is more assertive making comments like the patient will achieve 101% while Dr. Lemole won’t comment on the quality of life she will have in the future.  He says ok we’ve crossed this hurdle, now let’s shoot for the next one.

There are times in our lives when we may not be able to say just quite yet oh next year about this time, but the point of making small steps even baby steps will suit us just fine. It's ok not to measure ourselves by the small steps, but just the fact of moving is assurance enough you have beat the odds. Some have lost jobs, houses, loved ones, and many with college degrees are unable to find a job in their field….No matter what it looks like you are here. You are still here and that’s saying something.  Give God thanks and keep moving. Keep getting up every morning. Get dressed and greet the day with expectancy. You’ve made it this far.  I'm reminded of the famous line of Whoopi Goldberg in the Color Purple, "I'm poor, black I may even be ugly, but dear God I'm here"  believe me that is saying a whole lot...