I just spent a wonderful retreat weekend with some AWESOME ladies from the Northern California Christian Women Connection. There were churches represented from all over Northern California. Kathy came from Sacramento. On Saturday morning I offered to give away my set of Stress Management CDs to the lady who was closest to turning 50. (I wanted to make her trip on the “Menopause Express” a little easier with some time-tested tools to manage stress. We need all the help we can get on that ride!) I asked the ladies, “Who is turning 50, and has a birthday closest to today’s date?” Several ladies raised their hands, but it was Kathy who won. Her birthday was one week away.
After the session she came to thank me and to tell me her story. Several years ago when was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She beat that only to have it come back in the lungs. With a contagiously positive attitude and the Lord’s leading, she beat that too. “I asked the Lord to let me make it to my 50th birthday,” she offered. “I consider this the start of my gifts from Him for my birthday next week.”
“I am honored to be the one to give it to you,” I told her.
“I look for God everywhere now and He is always there. After all He has done to get me to 50 and He still keeps giving to me. I feel so blessed.”
I marvel at Kathy’s courage, her determination, her sensitivity to God, and especially her positive attitude. Her journey would have leveled a weaker woman. I think a great deal of her optimism comes from her practice of looking for God in the details of her life. When she sees His hand a work, she gives Him credit and praise.
Do you look for God everyday? Kathy has inspired me to keep my eyes open. Let me know when you see what He is doing to in the day to day. Post it so we can all be inspired.