Today’s a new day!
Singing Hallelujah
Today’s a new day! As I have walked this crazy beautiful health journey for over 22 years, I’ve had a lot of time to think about the journey. These thoughts have been like a blueprint for my journey. A journey that is radically different to the one I envisioned 22 years ago.
When I received my first diagnosis back in 2002, I was told after the shock of the diagnosis I would deal with anger and depression. Those well meaning health professionals were wrong. As crazy as it may sound, I feel like this health journey is quite possibly one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Yes, the journey has not been easy. All the surgeries, treatments and hospital stays have not always been pleasant. It’s not the blueprint I would have written for my life. But it has made me really re-evaluate a lot of the things I once held close. It’s made me appreciate my family and friends so much more and realize that possessions mean nothing when you’re faced with the real possibility of dying. Most importantly, it has made me so very aware that the God I believe in and serve is so much bigger and so much closer to me than I ever could have imagined.
Throughout history God has had many names, one of them being Immanuel, meaning ‘God with us’. I have never known that to be more true than I have the last 22 years and counting. Sometimes I wonder why I was chosen to walk this journey. But then God blesses me with a beautiful interruption and I am reminded that God has a purpose for my journey.
I know that God’s ways are higher than my own and there has been immense good that has come from this crazy beautiful health journey. God has used my health journey to bring me and others closer to Him. To bring encouragement.
As I walk through this journey, woven into the fabric of my life has been an understanding of what it means to suffer, and from that understanding has flown love, compassion and mercy.
During this journey, I have continuously leaned on Psalm 139:15-16, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 and Hebrews 13:5. I will let you research those scriptures on your own. While this health journey and everything that has come with it may seem chaotic, I know there is purpose in this crazy beautiful journey. Not my purpose, but the purpose of a God who holds the universe in His hands… who knew me from the moment I was conceived in the womb…. who has walked beside me every day of my life. I may not understand everything that has happened along this journey and maybe on this side of Heaven I never will, but I know that whatever happens, God is in control and he has promised he will never leave me or forsake me.
I don’t know about you, but that gives me a tremendous amount of confidence that everything is going to be alright.
Because of God’s goodness I will sing Hallelujah, Hallelujah. Singing Hallelujah because I am living a blessed life. Singing Hallelujah because my bride who loves me and is standing strong with me on this journey. Singing Hallelujah because I have amazing family and friends who continue to stand with Laura and I during this unending journey. Singing Hallelujah because God walks beside me and fights the battle for me. He commands his angels concerning me and they guard me. God is my fortress, my hiding place while the battle rages around me. He stands between me and my health issues that would seek to take my life and says to the sickness “no further… you will not harm him”.
Singing Hallelujah because I am still alive…. and hopefully will be for many years to come.
There are so many reasons to sing Hallelujah…. so many…. and as long as I have a heartbeat you will hear my Hallelujah.
Whatever you see in me that you think is good comes from Heaven.
It’s not my doing…. it’s His. ~OC
Rediscover the Wonder
Today’s a new day! ~OC
Count It All Joy
Today’s a new day! Do you sometimes have a hard time counting it all joy during the storms of life? I think we all have had those moments. You might be dealing with financial issues, employment issues, housing issues, family issues or health issues. How in the world could you find joy in all the pain and heartbreak?
One of the lessons I have learned during my crazy beautiful health journey, is that God will use these storms to help build our faith. Will we continue to stand firm in our faith when things look hopeless?
I’ve learned that my faith is like a muscle. The more I use it the stronger my faith grows. God continues to amaze me in ways I could never have imagined. God has used my health issues to strengthen my faith and to help others going through their own storms.
There have been some tough days during this journey and more to come, but I continue to see God providing my every need.
I pray as you make it through the storm you’re facing, you will know God on a deeper level and you will have more joy and peace than you know what to do with. ~OC
Life Takes A Village
Today’s a new day! As the holidays are just a few days away, I encourage everyone to not forget about those loved ones going through loss this season. Whether the loss of a loved one happened a few days ago or decades ago, the pain is still real. Going through the grieving process can be a very dark and difficult time for a person. However, it is also hard for the loved ones of this individual. Family members and friends often struggle to find the best ways to be supportive. Plus, the holiday season can make this process that much more challenging.
If you are the loved one of a grieving individual, understanding the stages in this process is an important place to start, but there are also many genuine things you can do to show your love and help.
Reach out to them. Most grieving people find it hard to take initiative and reach out to others. You can help by doing this for them. Stay connected with them via visits, phone calls, text, email or video chat. Make sure you are still checking in on them in the months following their loss, when fewer people are doing so.
Find ways to help. Come up with specific tasks you can assist with. Volunteer to drop off pre-made dinners so they don’t have to worry about cooking. Check and see if you can run errands for them. See if there is any house or yard work they need assistance with. Maybe they just need you to sit with them.
Don’t be afraid to say their name.To share stories. Those grieving can be concerned that their loved one will be forgotten by others. Therefore, don’t be afraid to mention the loved one’s name and to share stories about the person. Those stories may bring some tears, but they could also bring some much needed laughs.
This holiday season will be tough for many this year, so take the time to reach out to them and let them know you care. Life takes a village. ~OC
Challenges of Life
Today’s a new day! The challenges of life can leave lasting marks, but that does not always have to be a negative. Sometimes our biggest struggles bear the richest harvest and beautiful unexpected opportunities. These challenges can give us a small glimpse of God’s beauty, design and purpose in ways we could never imagine. ~OC
Word for 2025….Guarded
Today’s a new day! For probably the last ten years, every December I ask God to give me a word for the upcoming year. This year is no different, even though this year has been a life changing year for Laura and I and the year is not over yet. But after a lot of prayer, the word God has given me for 2025 is Guarded. Some people might find that a surprising word as we get closer to entering a new year. But let me explain.
Many people know about my story concerning my crazy beautiful health journey. Over the years, I have shared my story and struggles on social media, in conversation, in books and even an award-winning documentary. I have been blessed to experience some amazing opportunities over the past 22 years. I have also experienced some great pain as more than one “friend” has used my story for their personal gain and discarded me after I was no longer the flavor of the month. I do not share this for any type of sympathy, but to let you know why I chose the word Guarded for 2025 and why I will have less of a presence on social media next year. The daily text of encouragement will continue for those friends God puts on my heart.
In 2025, I will spend more time cultivating the real relationships in my life and guard myself against those who only contact me when they need something or feel guilty. As I continue to navigate life with dementia, I do not have the energy or desire to put anymore energy into fake and superficial relationships.
No, 2025 will be spent making memories with those who truly care about me. Not just the “Miracle Story.” Those few friends who actually reach out to me without me always having to innate the conversation or get together. I am looking forward to a beautiful memory filled 2025.
What will be your word for 2025? ~OC
God is so Good
Today’s a new day! As Laura and I have traveled this crazy beautiful health journey, we have continually declared “God is so good to us.” It isn’t about material wealth or any signs of success. Laura and I live a very simple life. But some of the greatest blessings in life are not the ones you can hold or see, but the ones you carry in your heart. ~OC
True Meaning of Christmas
Today’s a new day! As we celebrate this Christmas season, I wanted to share my thoughts on the true meaning of Christmas.
For me and many Christians, Jesus is the reason for the season and my family and friends mean the world to me and are a beautiful blessing. With all the shopping, parties and trying to have the perfect Christmas, so many people lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. Isn’t it supposed to be shared with those you love most? Isn’t our presence supposed to be more valuable than presents? What happened along the way to constantly change people’s perspective? Aren’t we supposed to be remembering the most famous story in the Bible of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem and the Angel visiting them in the manger telling them not to be afraid of the Angel’s presence? We are supposed to be surrounded with our loved ones, attend Christmas service and gather around tables eating together and sharing holiday memories with loved ones.
If only people could really understand the true meaning of Christmas and not be so infatuated with the gifts, lights, shopping deals and trying to spend the most money to impress people. Gifts fade and become meaningless, time passes, people forget what you purchased them and we tend to glorify the wrong things and situations. While receiving gifts is fun and rewarding in the short term, actually caring for and spending time with the people we love is a lot more important. Being together with loved ones and sharing time together is what this Christmas season is all about. Giving back to our community is what we should be looking forward to and trying to help those in need. Saying a prayer for someone hurting this holiday is a good start if you cannot afford to buy anything monetarily.
I know the holidays are difficult for people who have lost loved ones during this time of year, or might be going through a difficult season in life. However, we cannot allow these negative situations to hold us back from receiving Jesus’s love for us and spreading holiday cheer. Do not allow your current or past circumstances cloud your future happiness and the joy of this season. Make the choice to live with a grateful heart for the small things in life and try not to dwell too much on the past. Spend some time reflecting on 2024 and look forward to all that God has for you in 2025. Take some time to count your blessings.
The true meaning of Christmas is what you make of it and not all the fancy gifts that sit under trees and will be forgotten as years pass. Go out and make new memories with your family and friends that will last a lifetime. I promise you – time spent together with loved ones is better than money well spent on items that have a lot less meaning to them. Merry Christmas to you all and blessings for the New Year. ~OC
Healthy Fear
Today’s a new day! Fear is not always a bad thing. A healthy level of fear can guide us in making wise decisions. But the spirit of fear is a whole other ballgame. The spirit of fear can give us a false perspective, cloud our emotions and try to block our ability to see God’s love and purpose during a life storm. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 