Benched

Life has a way of benching us when we least expect it. Just before Thanksgiving, I got hit with a cornea issue. Trust me, it’s no small thing.

For someone who lives and breathes reading and writing—both as a profession and a passion—this wasn’t just inconvenient. It was a full-stop, throw-you-on-the-sidelines kind of deal.

At first, I panicked. My mind spun with worst-case scenarios. Then, frustration rolled in like a tidal wave. Not being able to effortlessly work felt like losing a piece of myself. But somewhere in the middle of my pity party, I paused and asked:

"If I truly believe all things work together for good, what’s the good in this season of waiting?"

Seeing the Gift

The first thing I realized was how much I take my eyes for granted. Every blink, every moment of clarity—it’s all a gift. And contact lenses? Thank you, Lord, for creating the person who invented those miraculous little discs!

But then I started to wonder—what would I do if I couldn’t do what I love most? My third love is cooking, so I guess (maybe) I’d spend more time in the kitchen. But honestly? The mere thought of losing my creative outlets, in the manner in which I do them, left me spiraling. I felt lost. Useless.

And yet, there it was: the gift of perspective.

I began to see how many blessings I breeze past every single day. If I stopped to count them all, I’d be at it until next Thanksgiving. My gratitude, which I always thought was pretty intense, suddenly felt embarrassingly inadequate.

Eyes Wide Open

Today, I’m making a choice. I’m choosing to see the everyday miracles that make life beautiful—the ability to express myself, the joy of connection, and, yes, even the challenges that lead me back to the basics.

Gratitude isn’t just an occasional feeling; it’s a daily practice. And this little pit stop in life has reminded me to slow down and REALLY notice what I’ve been given. Life is bursting with extraordinary gifts wrapped in the everyday.

What’s one “ordinary” gift you’re grateful for today?