Cold – Day 5

Reporting no change in my cold today. Perhaps a little more congestion and a little more coughing, but not a full-blown cold or bronchitis yet. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed.

It’s mid-November and I’m behind on my usual schedule of Christmas gift purchases. I usually have quite a bit done by now, but I’m running behind this year. Finding the “perfect” gift for each person is really hard. I seem to hit one or two, but the rest are a little lack-luster. Not that they’re bad gifts by any way, shape or form; they just aren’t the “perfect” gift.

Isn’t that strange that we feel the need to find “perfect” gifts. Maybe I watch too many Hallmark Christmas movies.

Speaking of gifts, however, when I think back through my life, I can’t believe how good God has been to me. He has provided me with everything I need at the perfect time. It may not always have been at the exact time I wanted it, or even the exact thing I was hoping for, but it was always the perfect item at the perfect time.

Anyone with Myasthenia Gravis or any other chronic condition shouldn’t forget this. It’s easy to get down and wonder why God hasn’t answered prayers yet. Sometimes we have a hard time understanding why we prayed for healing, yet God allows the MG to continue, and maybe even get worse. I’ll be the first to tell you that I don’t know what God is thinking. I don’t know what He has planned. I certainly don’t always understand His methods. All I know is I trust Him. Whatever He has in store for me, I know He will provide me with the strength I need.

I don’t look at MG as some sort of punishment for something I did or failed to do. I don’t believe God takes revenge or enacts retribution on someone. I believe He allows us free will to make our own decisions and sometimes our decisions get us into trouble, but He’s always there to help us if we turn to Him for help. I believe He sometimes allows afflictions. I believe He has a purpose in everything He does. My blog is a good example. I wouldn’t be writing it if I didn’t have MG. My blog has provided me with a chance to help others and that’s God’s gift to me. MG has also helped me realize how blessed I actually am in life.

My next breath will be a gift from God. Today will be a gift from God. Tomorrow will be a gift from God. Christmas will be a gift from God. Next year will be a gift from God. All the years that follow will be a gift from God. Instead of worrying about finding the “perfect” gift for everyone on my Christmas list, maybe I should do a better job of thanking God for all the gifts He gives me and quit taking everything for granted.

I’ll still buy gifts for this Christmas. Some of them may even be “perfect”. This year, however, I’m going to approach Christmas a little different. I’m going to to enjoy it, appreciate being around loved ones, and be more grateful. I’m going to abandon my usual stress surrounding Christmas, go more with the flow, and breathe it all in. I’m going to experience Christmas this year like I never have before. When I watch my grandchildren open their gifts, instead of anxiously awaiting to see how excited they are when they discover what Gram and Pappy gave them, I’m going to focus more on how thankful I am that they are in my life and I have the opportunity to enjoy them.

I’m not going to waste this Christmas on stress. I’m going to live this Christmas and not just watch it. I’m going to enjoy it.

Even Myasthenia Gravis can’t stop me from enjoying Christmas this year. I won’t let it. There are way too many things to enjoy.