It felt so wonderful to get out there and spend some time with my kids on this warm fall day. They had a blast too. I used to take these little trips for granted. Now I don't. I realize what an amazing blessing the little things are.
My recent injury was a very difficult experience, but it was helpful in so many ways. I needed it even if I didn't like it. Which I didn't. When doctors and nurses are talking about how likely it is that they will need to amputate your toe, it all seems pretty intense, but I see three things real clearly now.
1. It was my own fault for not taking care of myself properly, and I needed to change the way I was living. I mean I was doing some things right and I had tried to get my diet better, but I wasn't doing enough. It's like that in many aspects of our life I think. We know we need to be a better father or mother so we make a few changes, a few sacrifices, but not as many as we could or should. We think we are doing just enough until the crisis hits.
2. The Lord blessed me throughout the whole ordeal and helped my body heal about as fast as I could have hoped. My body immediately responded to the antibiotics and my Infectious Disease Specialist said it was one of the best healing diabetic ulcers she has seen in a while. My foot is healing right on pace. Everything has gone well since my hospital stay. I thank God for my blessings and my improving health.
3. Not only is God helping me through this trial, but this trial has been turned into a blessing. I have been able to see what a wonderful thing walking to the park with your kids is. I can see the world differently now. I am getting a better handle on my diabetes and now I know the signs better that could save me a limb in the future.
I have always considered myself a grateful person, but now I am more grateful to the Lord in a way I just could not have been. So guess the advice I am leaving today is to "count your many blessings and see what God has done" in your life.