Joy in Suffering and in Trials

After my mother’s second stroke we were all left without words for a long while. She couldn’t walk, she could barely talk, or feed herself. Never, in our wildest dreams did we expect for something like this to occur. It was not part of our plan, but God’s. There was not much to say or do, except to pray and help take care of her. Yet, through one of our greatest sorrows we found some of our greatest joys. 

It was hard at first seeing her lying there, not lifeless, but knowing that she still had so much life left in her because she showed us that she did. She fought with everything that she could to try and get her body to activate. She even told me once “Well, if you’d get this mattress off the top of me. I could do it.” I pretended to throw the mattress off of her and told her “Now get up and walk.” It didn’t work. Nevertheless day by day we went. She and my dad mostly do her exercises, go to therapy, do what she needs to do to get stronger… and day by day she did. Each time I saw her she was doing something a little bit better or a little bit more than the day before. For months life went on like this. Progress. 

Over time most of her function came back. She could talk well, feed herself, write again, comb her hair, etc., but the natural way in which we walk hasn’t come yet. It’s like her body has a part of her on her lock. Through all of this though my mother’s joy for life and especially her granddaughters has never changed. If anything it has only grown fuller. 

During the time after her stroke we published her poetry Finding Joy through Grace from the Catholic Daughter’s poetry contests she entered over the past twenty years and she even had a book signing. Life in a wheelchair is definitely not what she wanted or had planned, but it’s where her journey has taken her. She would not want to do it again, but she has done it with so much grace.

She keeps the spirit of the 19 year old – she talks about her from time to time. She says “Jennifer, I am not old. I still feel like I am 19 inside.” And, I absolutely know that she does. Her smile, her laugh lines marked by years of choosing joy. She’s taught me to see life through a different lens—not one that denies the trials, but one that refuses to let them define the story. Life may come at you at 100 miles an hour, but there are days when it seems like she’s still got all the time in the world. Time to laugh. Time to hope. Time to love. Time to choose joy, again and again.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that when we choose to look at things from a different perspective there is a joy that comes that knows no bounds. Lord, help us to always walk with you through all the ways of life, experiencing one moment at a time as only we can. Thank you so much Lord. Have a wonderful day! Amen.

Y'all have a beautiful one!

All My Love,

Jen

For more information about Get Strong with Jen! click here.

Spots of Joy - Prayer for PTSD - Day 7 click here.