Finding Reasons to be Thankful
I have many reasons to be thankful this week after undergoing surgery to repair a rare condition. My surgeon called me a “ticking time bomb.”
“No matter what our circumstances, we can find a reason to be thankful,” said Dr. David Jeremiah.
I’ve had plenty of opportunities to prove this true after a surgeon called me a “ticking time bomb.”
Two weeks ago, Sailor-Man and I drove to Alberta to visit family, friends, and ministry partners. I also had three speaking events scheduled. If you read my FB posts, you’ll know that I ended up in an ER with severe abdominal pain and shortness of breath on two occasions. I underwent a variety of tests, but the doctors were mystified and sent me away with no diagnosis.
Miraculously, the pain subsided enough so I could fulfill my speaking events and then drive about 13 hours back to the coast on Sunday. But when the pain persisted on Monday morning, I ended up in an ER again. That’s when a CT scan found a rare congenital diaphragm Morgagni hernia. My colon had pushed its way through the hernia and was pushing on my lungs.
I was immediately admitted to the Vancouver General Hospital and placed on a clear liquid diet to reduce inflammation of the colon. Last Friday, I underwent surgery to fix the problem. What a week it’s been!
I’ve been finding plenty of reasons to be thankful in these circumstances.
Here are some examples:
- While in Alberta, the pain came when the colon pushed through the hole and got stuck, and it decreased as it went back down. Amazingly, the colon went down in time for each speaking event and I was able to fulfill my commitment to these groups.
- The worst pain came on the day when I had no speaking events. This led to a 10-hour stint in the ER, but I didn’t even have to think about canceling an engagement!
- Sailor-Man and I managed to drive home in one swoop even though I wasn’t sure that would be possible when we began the drive early in the morning. The view through the Rockies was stunning, as always.
- The ER process was fast and efficient on Monday, and I received my diagnosis within a few hours.
- I slept well at night during my hospital stay. I’m a light sleeper, so that’s a miracle in itself.
- The nursing staff provided excellent care.
- The surgeon happened to be a fellow believer who shares my heart for missions.
- The surgeon also happened to be head of the entire thoracic unit, and he knew the best plan of action for me. He could have sent me home on a liquid diet and set me up for an elective surgery at another time, but he chose instead to deal with the situation immediately. After the operation, he said that the hole was smaller than he thought, based on the CT scan. “The smaller holes are the more dangerous ones, so it’s very good that we got this done now,” he said.
- The surgeon cleared me to travel to Egypt for our staff conference in November barring infection or other complications during recovery.
- This type of episode could have happened anytime while traveling on mission, but God has protected me. He allowed it to happen here where the best of the best surgeons was present and able to fix the problem—with Gortex, nonetheless!
- I was discharged on Canadian Thanksgiving Day, but there’s no way I could return to our boat. A sweet friend texted me early in the morning and invited Sailor-Man and I to stay with her and her husband during recovery. We accepted, and I had an amazing good night’s sleep last night.
- Five years ago tomorrow, my family laid my mom to rest. Months prior, I’d been invited to speak at the Ness Lake Bible Camp women’s retreat on the following weekend. God empowered me to make the long drive north after the funeral to fulfill that event. I feel like history is repeating itself: months ago, Ness Lake Bible Camp invited me to speak at their women’s retreat this weekend. And so, Sailor-Man and I will make the drive north tomorrow, and I’m trusting God for the strength to share four messages about His names from Friday thru Sunday. My younger daughter has registered for the retreat and we’d already planned to share a room, so she’ll lend a hand if needed.
- So many people have been praying for me. I’m so grateful for their care and concern.
If you’re a newcomer to my blog, know that today’s post is different than usual due to the wild and crazy happenings of the past two weeks. I just wanted to say thank you to all who have been praying for me and to give God the glory for what He has done for me.
Expect the next update in two weeks, okay? Lord willing, that one will be back to normal.
How about you?
What’s one thing for which you can be thankful in your current circumstances?
Know you are loved,
Grace
The news headlines tell us that we’re living in unbelievably chaotic days. My latest devotional books provide biblical hope and encouragement when our minds feel like they’re on overload.
Available wherever Christian books are sold or order your autographed copies here.
The news headlines tell us that we’re living in unbelievably chaotic days. My latest devotional books provide biblical hope and encouragement when our minds feel like they’re on overload.
Available wherever Christian books are sold or order your autographed copies here.
I’m thankful that you are okay and on your way to healing. Prayers for you !
Gail Teem in SC
Thank you, Gail. What an unexpected ride this has been, but God’s care and sovereignty have been evident every inch of the way.
Blessings,
Grace
Thanks for sending me the link to this incredible story!!!! So glad to be back in the loop with your ministry.
Love that you shared HE was with you “every step of the way”, wow, I’ll say. Encouraging to my inner heart, as on my physical heart health journey. Thank you for your kind, understanding uplifting words, in regards. ❤️
“Happy sails.”
Hi Dara:
Forgive me for the tardy response. Your message somehow slipped through the cracks. Know that I value every comment made here because I know someone took time to read the post and then write their response. Your comment is no exception, my friend.
I trust that you had a wonderful Christmas. Happy New Year a few days early!
Know you are loved,
Grace
Grace what a ride you’ve been on. Our God is AWESOME is He not. He sure had you in His hands. Thank Him you are now ok. God Bless you! I do not have Facebook & only hear through your uplifting emails.
Thanks for popping by, Kathy. Thanks for subscribing to my updates. I realize there’s a plethora of resources out there from which to choose, so I’m always honored when readers choose to subscribe to mine. I’m glad you find them encouraging. The next one is scheduled to go out in two weeks, and Lord willing, it will be more like normal.
Have a great day, and know you are loved,
Grace
Hello, Grace, since I rarely go on FB, I had no idea of the events that transpired over the last two weeks. Wow!! I am so thankful that the problem was diagnosed and that you were able to have the surgery quickly with such a skilled doctor. It was a blessing and such a special time to be with you in Airdrie and have the opportunity to hear you speak. I will be praying for you over the coming weekend for special strength and protection as you share at the retreat. Thank you for all you do to encourage each of us in our walk with God. As you would say, “Know you are loved!”
Diana
Thank you, Diane. The whole thing began about a half hour before I spoke in Airdrie, but you were there and I’ll bet you didn’t suspect anything was wrong. Everything went whacko by 11 PM that night. I am sooo grateful that the CT scan in Vancouver identified the problem and that the surgeon tackled it immediately. I guess God’s not finished with me yet!
Thanks, too, for coming to Airdrie. It was wonderful to see you again.
As always, know you are loved,
Grace
Warm hugs, Grace. I’ll be praying for your swift recovery.
Thank you, Jill! I feel a bit stronger every day and am trusting God for a full recovery.
Know you are loved,
Grace
Praise God. He knew exactly where you should be and who would take care of you.
Praying for a quick recovery for you.
Have a blessed day.
Julie
Hi Julie:
I agree — God’s sovereignty is all over my circumstances. In that, I can rest.
Know you are loved,
Grace
I have lots to be thankful for, Grace, such as a warm roof over my head, plenty of food to eat, a comfy bed to sleep in, running water, a car that runs, a job, children, and grandchildren! I appreciate you sharing and providing an update about what you’ve been through over the past few weeks. (I found out through a friend since I don’t have a FB account.) You don’t do things the easy way, do you, Grace? (LOL) It simply amazes me how everything fell into place so that you could finish your speaking engagements, make it back to Vancouver, be diagnosed correctly, and have the top thoracic surgeon operate on you a few days later. Wow! What an incredible God we serve!
My husband and I have been praying for you daily. Thank you, heavenly Father, for providing strength and perseverance to Grace through these trials. I pray in the name of ur loving Savior, Jesus. Amen.
Hi Catherine. Thank you, thank you for your prayers. The past two weeks have been a most wild ride, but I am in awe of God’s care over the details. My heart overflows with gratitude for the way He arranged the circumstances. What an incredible reminder of His sovereignty. I think this story might be part of the teaching video for the chapter about God’s sovereignty that will come out in the third “Names of God” book. It certainly seems timely.
Big hugs,
Grace
So grateful for God’s provision in this trying and painful situation. As you are aware God brings amazing things and the right people to work together for our good and his glory! Healing blessings for strength and comfort to you.💪🙏❤️
Hi Melanie!
God’s sovereignty over every detail of this situation blows me away. What a great reminder that we can trust Him at all times, in all things because He is over time and all things.
Have a wonderful day, and know you are loved,
Grace
You also have a Blessed Day
I love to hear how the Lord directs your path. He is leading ahead, behind and to the sides. Thank you Father for your loving care of Grace. You are an amazing God.
Sheryl
Hi Sheryl:
God’s fingerprints are so clearly over every detail of these circumstances. We can trust Him in all things, especially when stuff happens that we don’t understand. He holds us close. Amen?
Know you are loved,
Grace
I’m grateful for all the details that miraculously came together to handle your health crisis. I’m grateful for the healing that has begun and will continue!
For myself, our new home in a condo is a source of daily delight; it’s “enough”, it’s more than we’d hoped, and its location makes serving at our church really easy… we’re attached.
Bless the LORD, oh, my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name.
Hi Deborah:
I’m over-the-moon grateful for God’s obvious involvement in the details. I just keeping saying “thank you, thank you” to Him for His care.
I’m so happy to hear about your new home being a source of daily delight. That’s fantastic! Enjoy every moment.
Know you are loved,
Grace
Hello Grace
So very pleased that you are on the road to recovery. Life sure sends you off in different directions at times.
Thank you for your posts they are always give me things to ponder and often great comfort.
Love from the UK
Karen
PS I would love to buy your books on Kindle ❤️
Hi Karen:
Thanks so much for popping in! Yes, life has been a wild ride for the past two weeks, and I am ever-so-grateful to God for His sovereignty over every detail. Indeed–we can trust Him even in times of suffering. He is always near.
RE: my books and Kindle. My publisher sets up the formats. I did a quick check on Amazon and see that they’re available in Kindle. Hopefully you can get them through Amazon in the UK.
Have a great day, and know you are loved,
Grace
I’m so glad you’re better. Surely , God was watching over you! Thank- you Jesus. There are days when I can be a little bored and wonder, “what am I gonna do today?“ I know people would love my problem. It’s then that I start to make a list in my mind of all the things I am grateful for—like husband, my home, my church, and a few sisters in Christ that I can spend time with. Mostly I thank God for Jesus who’s my best companion. I think I’m feeling it a little since my twin sister moved to North Carolina. We are very close, but God is faithful and I certainly do not want to complain.
Hi Gina:
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the many things for which you can be grateful. I “hear” you. When I’m tempted to grumble, I think about so many people living in war-torn countries who would give anything to trade places with me, and this puts things into perspective. We are so blessed in so many ways that we often take forgranted.
I don’t think I knew you had a twin sister! How fun is that? I can only imagine how hard it would be to be separated by distance. Hopefully you can enjoy Facetime visits frequently.
Know you are loved,
Grace
Good morning Grace,
So thankful that you are on the mend! What a wonderful list of thanksgiving during your “Ticking time bomb” experience!!
Most of my life I have been allergy free up until the last several years. Now I’m experiencing more and more allergies. Through it all God has been faithful in helping me find answers and bringing healing. My daughter has dealt with terrible allergies all her life and now I’m so thankful that I can really relate to her suffering.
Continued prayers for you Grace. Sincerely Jan
Hi Jan:
Thanks for stopping by! I’m sorry to hear about your experiencing more and more allergies but grateful to know God is helping you find answers and is bringing healing. Developing empathy for your daughter’s suffering in this way is likely something you never expected to experience, but this is a classic demonstration of God bringing good from hardship. May He strengthen and encourage you and your daughter in beautiful and faith-building ways.
Know you are loved,
Grace
So thankful for God’s perfect timing in all of this, Grace. May you heal well and completely. Please give yourself some grace 😉 to not go full throttle even though you are in ministry right now. We all love you and pray you’ll take good care of yourself!
Thank you for your concern, Vicki. I will pace myself–I promise. Today’s drive north is like respite for the soul. The fall leaves are in full bloom, and the scenery is absolutely gorgeous.
Have a wonderful day, and know you are loved,
Grace