Remember

Remember when I didn't have pain everyday

Remember when I didn't have to think about how to bend or not to twist or to elevate the bed of my patient's instead of bending over...just to listen to their lungs

Remember how I had used an ice pack less than 10 times in my life

Remember how I rarely ever took Ibuprofen

Remember how I could jump, run, twist, lift

Remember when I didn't have to think about how exactly to get out of bed correctly

Remember when I could cross through an intersection and not even think about someone running a red light

Remember when I couldn't relate to my patient's back pain

Remember when I didn't *really* know what they did during an MRI or CT scan

Remember when I didn't know just exactly how far my friends, family and especially husband would go to make sure my every need was met

Remember when I realized just how lucky I am to be living this life, to be able to clean my own house, bring in my own groceries, do my own laundry

Remember when I assumed things and judged people without having a CLUE of what they were going through

Remember when I had yet to experience God's healing so closely in my life

Remember how this strengthened my marriage, my calling as a nurse and my love for my family

Remember how God showed me that He works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

I thank God for this pain. This pain serves as a reminder of the better person I am on the other side of the tough times. I'm thankful for what has happened because of that pain. My back may be screaming at me at the end of a 12 hour shift.... but it's screaming "I'm soo thankful!!"

Thank you, God, for the pain. Thank you for putting me exactly where you put me at 6:30 am on Sunday, April 18th. Thank you for the way you love and nurture and the way you bring beauty from pain.