Headache—a blessing. Really?

Last night my headache started to increase in intensity. I did all my normal tricks to lower it, but nothing worked. This morning, I was hoping it would be back to its normal level, but it's still intense. Trying to get ready, so I can run a few errands today, is somewhat hindered by the headache.

As I was reclining on the Daybed resting, I realized that my headache even is a blessing. Really? Yes. Since my headache is more intense, the TV and radio are turned off. Usually, I have one or the other on—my brain usually functions better when there is "noise". However, today, it's quiet and that has allowed me to realize more blessings God has given me. 

Here are some blessings

which God has provided—

which I may have missed

if I didn't have a headache!

1. My apartment building. It's very quiet. I don't hear my neighbors, and since I'm in the building furthest from the main street, I don't hear much traffic. 
2. My apartment. Being on the 2nd floor makes me at "tree top level". The birds enjoy sitting on the trees right outside my windows. The songs the birds sing keep Max and me company and are reminders of God's creative hand.
3. The stillness. God says, “Cease striving and know that I am God;  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 (NASB) When I'm "forced" to be still or "cease striving" I am able to spend quality time with God—meditating on His Word and talking with Him.
4. Better days. Living with chronic pain is at times overwhelming. Yet, when I have a "worse day", it makes me more thankful for my "normal" pain level days. I'm thankful that God knows what I can endure and gives me strength for each day—whether it is a "normal" or "worse" day.
5. God's attention to detail. As a "detail" person myself, I love how God takes care of each and every detail. I've posted before about how God makes sure Max is aware of my headache and pain levels. Yesterday, Max woke up "talking and chatting" and it lasted much of the day. However, today, Max woke up and said a few "happys" and has been quiet since. Today, is also the day I see my Chiropractor. His treatments often help lower my headache intensity. So, what better day to have a "bad headache" (although I've never had a 'good' headache), then on a day I see my Chiropractor? God's timing is perfect. 
6. Prayerful friends. It's so comforting to know that no matter my headache or pain level, friends are talking with God about me. It's so cool to realize that the Creator of all things, is hearing MY NAME! And God knows exactly who I am. WOW!

Can a headache be a blessing. Yes! It's all a matter of perspective. And since I want to create a positive day—even with a bad headache—I can find many blessings surrounding me.

Max Calculating—a special blessing!

One of today's blessing is God's gift of Max. God made sure that Max is very aware of me. Max knows when my headache is bad & will simply sit quietly on my shoulder. If my pain level is high, Max will "talk" & do silly things to distract me & make me laugh.

Only God would think of giving me a little bird to remind me of God's constant love & care. God is so amazing!

 

 

On the days when I have a harder time creating a positive day, God sends His love and blessings to help me along.

Annual Blessings Celebration!

Each year near the anniversary of my back injury, I have a "Blessings Celebration". This year, I'm beginning my celebration a little early. Today, a friend and I are going to enjoy lunch and see a musical (more details to come).

As I was reading Psalms this morning, I thought these verses were perfect to begin my "Blessings Celebration". 

Psalm 105:1-5 The Message (MSG)

    Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to Him by name!
      Tell everyone you meet what He has done!
   Sing Him songs, belt out hymns,
      translate His wonders into music!
   Honor His holy name with Hallelujahs,
      you who seek God. Live a happy life!
   Keep your eyes open for God, watch for His works;
      be alert for signs of His presence.
   Remember the world of wonders He has made,

 His miracles, and the verdicts He's rendered. 

I'd like to challenge you to "keep your eyes open for God and watch for His works and be alert for signs of His presence". God is awesome!

In the next few weeks, I'll be posting some of the blessings God has given me over the past year. I'd like to hear about some of the blessings God has given you.

Creating a positive day

begins with thanking God and

praising Him for His goodness!

Blessings = Responsibilities

What can I give back to God for the blessings he's poured out on me? I'll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God! I'll pray in the name of God; I'll complete what I promised God I'd do, & I'll do it together with his people....Oh, God, here I am, your servant, your faithful servant: set me free for your service! I'm ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice & pray in the name of God. I'll complete what I promised God I'd do.....Hallelujah! Psalm 116:12-19 (The Message)

The other day I was reviewing the blessings God gave me during the month of August. WOW! I'm so amazed with all the blessings that God continues to send my way.  The two highlights from August's blessings were my Joy-cation with very dear friends in Michigan, and the new car. Both of these blessings are multiplying blessings! Each day I'm grateful for the wonderful godly friends God has provided and the new car is not only fun to drive, but provides safe transportation. 

As I read Psalm 116, it made me once again realize that with blessings come responsibilities. I am to be praising God and sharing His love with each and every person with whom I have contact. God has used the new car to provide many opportunities to share about God's goodness. It's so much fun sharing what God did to make the new car purchase possible. I'm overwhelmed at His goodness to me. 

October is just around the corner, and I'm preparing for my yearly "Blessings Celebration". (Each year near the anniversary of my back injury, I take time to celebrate all the wonderful blessings God gave me during the year.) Not sure yet, what I'll do this year. It's always fun to see what God works out for the celebration. The past few years, the Celebrations have been filled with wonderful gifts from God. (If you look at the blog posts dated in October near the 25th you can read the previous years' celebrations.)

Some continue to wonder how I can celebrate and rejoice when I live with chronic pain. My response, "How can I not?" Pain is part of my life. It's always there. However, just because the pain is there, doesn't mean I have to allow it to totally rule my thoughts and emotions. Pain has too much control in my life as it is (preventing/limiting me from doing some things),—why would I want pain to have TOTAL control? 

In October 2000, God introduced pain into my life. And over the past 11 years, I've seen how God has used the pain to open doors for me to share His love with others. Pain has allowed me access to people whom I never would have had contact. Would I have chosen pain? No! However, I made a commitment to God in college—"I would be WHATEVER God wanted me to be, WHEREVER He wanted me to go." I realized that as a servant of God, I was to give my life to Him so that I could accomplish His will for my life. 

Just as it says in Psalm 116, I want to complete the promise I made to God and be His faithful servant. The past 11 years has been difficult as I've learned to live with chronic pain and adjust to a new way of life. But it's been filled with God's wonderful blessings! 

What can I give back to God for the blessings he's poured out on me? One thing which I can do is continue to praise God for His goodness and that is the key to creating a positive day.

My Gift from God: 2012 Ford Fiesta

Here are some pictures of the wonderful new car God provided for me.

If you haven't yet read the previous post, "Details. It's all in the details." please read it. That post shares some of the specific details which God took care of to provide me with a 2012 Ford Fiesta. 

August 24, 2011 about 7:30 am, dew still on the windows.

Inside front.

Mileage when I arrived home from buying the car.

Front dash board.

Back seats.

Color is Violet-Grey. Depending on the light, it's shades of grey, purple, and even blue.

In this light, you see more of the violet/purple coloring.

In this light, it's more of the violet-grey.