An anniversary...

Five years...WOW...God is so good.

I have been reflecting on the last five years and all that God has brought me through.  I am seizure free and no longer restrained by medication.

Now I know you have heard me say this before.  You may even be sick of hearing about it.  I, however, will continue to thank God for the joys in my life both big and small.  And for me this is a big joy.  To be myself.  Uninhibited.  Free.

I found a picture of myself from Christmas day 2005.  I find it to be very telling of who I became because of the seizures and medication.  Depressed, unhappy, uninterested, detached, angry, irritable, joyless...

This picture was taken shortly after I had my last seizure.  I was already on the medication and my face reflects the life that was sucked out of me by that very medication.

You may think this sounds funny but I am thankful that I went through what I did.  Do I wish my family had to suffer along with me?  No.  But I am thankful and I know that there was a reason that they went through it as well.  There is something to be said for going through trials and sufferings.

Today as I was sitting in church and listening to the message, a message that spoke to this exact issue, I was reminded of something.  God brings everything into our lives.  God brings good things and bad things into our lives.  God causes evil, but He does not sin when He does.  God is always righteous.  Why would God do this?  Why would He allow and even bring evil?  Simple...for His purpose, His glory and for our good.  Look at the life of Jesus.  If Jesus suffered and died on the cross why should we expect our life to be all sunshine and roses?  God took Jesus to the cross and it wasn't a surprise to Him.  Why?  Because Jesus is our salvation.  Without his death we would be lost and without hope.

I know that God brings everything into our lives.  Good and bad.  And so I will praise Him for everything that He has done for me.  How can I praise Him in the good times and not praise Him for the bad?  He brought the seizures, He knew what medication I would be put on and He alone gave me the strength to endure and overcome.  He heard my prayers and He didn't ever give me any more than I could handle.  Psalm 9:9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And so...

Psalm 145:1 I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. 


Psalm 106:1 Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!


And in case you are like most of the people I have talked to and you missed my smile and laugh during those years that I was "away" here are some smiles and rainbow eyes in all their glory to get you caught up!


Psalm 86:12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.