Aches and Pains

 There are many jokes about growing older but there is nothing like experiencing the aches and pains of growing older. If you keep up with me you know that the past two years have rough. Life hasn't been full unicorns and rainbows or even a walk in the park, its been more like trying to ride a bicycle blind folded in the dark. Nothing has made sense and I'm pretty sure most of it never will. So, why am I writing today? Is it to complain about what obstacles I've been facing? There will probably be a little of that. Is it to enlighten  you on something God has taught me during this trying time? Nope! I am writing to share what is on my mind or I should say what has crossed my mind today and the last couple of days.

I'm a school teacher so I'm blessed to have this week off, but it's been hard to enjoy because I've not been able to do much. Most of you might say that's wonderful, but it's not enjoyable when that's all you've been able to do for three months. Let me set the stage...

In September I hurt my back. I'm not sure how but many people will say that I over did it with my CG workouts, but I disagree. I hurt so bad that I wasn't able to walk for a week, then slowly and surely I've been able to tolerate a little walking and standing, but still not much and certainly no workouts. This has been hard not just because I'm not working out but because I can't help around my house. I know that how I handle the hard times reflects my beliefs but in this case it doesn't. This struggle has brought up many doubts, old issues that I thought I had dealt with, and lots of whys. 

The whys are too many to list here. The doubts are some that I've written about and some new ones as I made a decision this past year to not coach..good laugh here cause I wouldn't be able to coach at this point in time. God's timing? I don't know, but I do know that I miss coaching. So, aches and pains...they happen when we get older and our bodies decide to not work like they did when we were younger. Aches and pains also happen when we grow in every aspect of our lives.

We grow when we face obstacles and learn how to get around them. We grow when we accept change no matter how different the change may be. We grow when we step outside of our comfort zones and allow God to work in our lives. So maybe, just maybe this particular ache and pain is happening to show me things about myself that need to change so I can continue to grow into the person God created me to be.

I'll finish up with my rambling. This year has been hard on everyone and seems to be teaching us to reflect on what matters the most and to be thankful for what we have. The aches and pains of this life can at times be unbearable but if we believe in God, we always have the hope of a better tomorrow and if tomorrow isn't better we have a promise of eternity with no more pain, no more sorrow and no more tears. I'm doing the best I can to stay focused on God and know this is only a moment, a season in life, and this too shall pass. May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving!