Okay...I know it's been awhile since I've written/typed. Been busy and not as inspired to write about the day to day. The summer though has been HOT and I will miss it as it comes to a close. :(
Tonight I watched "Soul Surfer" for the second time. (Watched it in the theater and now on DVD) It is more than inspirational. It's compelling to the soul. Especially when something similiar happens to YOU! (me...) I will say, I didn't "surf" and get my arm taken off, but I did DANCE and SWIM and even PLAYED baseball til I HAD to give it UP!
It was and is emotional to go through a tradegy like that or a illness that takes away an ability. (Abilities for me really.) It was 20 years ago THIS summer for me. I did things like normal kids did. Took ballet for 3 years. Wanting to be a pretty ballerina! (Dance was my LIFE!) Thought I could be a Olympic swimmer when I "grew up" too. I had great ambitions when I was young.
I guess most kids do, but because of what happened TO me, I couldn't DO what other kids or PEOPLE could anymore. (or would just have to do it a DIFFERENT way.) Like catching the ball in baseball with the other hand because the "normal" hand didn't and/or doesn't work anymore. (Muscle problem I have...) I had to totally re-learn how to do things b/c my right hand was not the domainate one anymore. OH! How I struggled physically, but also with friends. I was only 8. I had weakness in my hand but I also a limp with seizures! It that a lot? LoL!
God did give me the strength like Bethany, in the movie and verses of comfort that are the SAME! Jer. 29:11 and Phil. 4:13: "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." "I can do ALL things through Christ which strengthens Me."
Then Bethany says she doesn't want EASY, but possible. I laugh cuz God hasn't made my life THAT easy, but given me the strength to endure and open to possibilities whether I am willing to them is MY choice...Ha ha ha! (I can be stubborn...) I didn't mentioned earlier about my brace and Bethany's fake arm. I used to have to wear this plastic thing up to my knee. It limited me from a lot, but dr's and my parents said it would help me walk. I HATED it WITH a passion! All I wanted was to be set free from it, to be "normal" and have friends that knew me for me and accepted me. (That of course WAS NOT the case in Elem. school specifically!)
I guess after all the tears I cried during this movie and pain I've had in this life, I can finally say I'm glad I'm NOT ALONE with the twists and turns of God's Plan unfolding, even if it is something I or Bethany NEVER wanted. Having FAITH, PERSEREVANCE (Perspective) and Trust is what keeps me alive! (Hope too) One day, there will be no MORE pain and no tears! :o)
Good night!
~Shaina
