Grateful – Page 33 – The Blessed Overcomer

This journey called life can bring many challenges. Then the whole world walks through a pandemic. Who needs some Hope? Do you remember Hope? Just watch the news. Just scroll through social media. All we hear about is how hopeless things are in the world. But I am still hopeful. That’s right. I am still full of hope. Here are some friendly tips to start living a hopeful life again.

* Start limiting your intake of the news and social media.

*Watch one of your favorite movies.

*Read a book.

*Have a Zoom call with your friends.

*Go for a walk.

*Call a friend.

*Watch some old cartoons.

*Volunteer and give back.

*Watch videos of puppies.

*Watch some videos of soldiers coming home.

*Pray, Pray & Pray.

*Spend more time reading the Bible.

*Start a relationship with God or rededicate your life to God. By taking this simple step, your life will be filled with a type of Hope you have never experienced.

I hope you enjoyed some of the above tips. Hopefully they will give you some rest from all the negative news. Oh, but my prayer is that you will embrace God and have Him totally change your life. That is the ultimate Hope. ~OC

Today’s a new day! Most people that know me, know I love to wear t-shirts with a message. Something to make others think or to help start a conversation. My amazing wife bought this shirt for me yesterday. It’s from a great organization called The Happy Givers (www.thehappygivers.com).

I am not a fan of the phrase “I don’t see color.” That is just a false statement. We all see color, unless you were born with an eye issue. But if not, then stop saying you don’t see the color of someone. I believe it’s disrespectful to that person and most importantly it is disrespectful to God. Yes, it’s disrespectful to God. God created color. God created diversity. God loves all the different colors He created. God loves all the diversity He created. You should too.

So stop saying you don’t see color. Instead say I see your color, but that does not determine my feelings and opinion of you. Your beautiful color was created by God. I love you because you were created by God. Let’s talk and get to know each other. Let’s celebrate diversity. ~OC

Today is National Loving Day. This celebrates the 1967 Supreme Court decision Loving vs. Virginia. The Court struck down as unconstitutional laws in 16 states that prohibited interracial marriages. ~OC

Today’s a new day! Just because a storm is raging doesn’t mean that God has left the boat. ~OC

Today’s a new day! Dear Jesus, pour out your peace and healing upon your people. ~OC

Today’s a new day! Each day I walk this crazy beautiful journey, I am reminded that my Hope and Trust is in Jesus. Even when I do not fully understand the process, I will continue to trust Him and all He is doing. I will continue to live in Hope. I will continue to embrace His Miracle in my life. ~OC

Memories. They can make you smile, laugh and cry. Sometimes memories just make you sit back and reflect. That happened to me this morning, as I scrolled through my Facebook page and a memory from May 13, 2009 jumped out at me. It took me back. On this date in 2009, I went back to work after a month in the hospital and recovery at home. I did not realize at the time that life would never be the same.

As I went back to work that Wednesday morning, I thought things would go back to normal. Little did I realize that my life would never be normal again. Several days after going back to work, I would end up back in the hospital. This scene would play out many times over the next few months. I would work a few days and end up in the hospital for a few weeks. Finally after seeing this Groundhog Day moment several times (Google the movie Groundhog Day), my medical team shared it was time for me to retire and go on disability. Retire? Disability? I was only in my early 40’s. I was not real excited about this new normal. But this new normal was now part of my life. Little did I realize what a crazy beautiful journey God would allow me to experience.

As I have walked this new normal since 2009, I have become a full time Abolitionist, a Missionary and a published Author. I doubt any of my teachers or professors would have ever guessed I would write a book. During this new normal, my faith became so much stronger. My wife Laura and I have experienced so many amazing adventures. I definitely would not have chosen this new normal, but I would not change a thing. My new normal has become a beautiful gift. Thanks Facebook for the memory. ~OC