The Blessing of Pink Eye

By Sue Graber

 

Definition of BLESSING:

"When a bad event or misfortune results in something positive."

(taken from Idiom Quest)

Have you ever had pink eye?  Last year about this time, I spent a few days pretty much isolated because of this special "gift" my little grandson shared with me.  This little incident was not a big deal but ended up being an “eye opener” (no pun intended) as to how even some of the littlest things that distract us from our normal routine can actually be special blessings.

 

Looking for the Positive

Have you ever had something traumatic happen and at the time you felt there could be no possible good to come out of this situation?  Then, later, as you look back at events that have transpired, you realize that there definitely was a “positive” that resulted from this particular event that you first thought of only as negative!

Pink eye was just a little thing that caused me to miss a day of work and forced me to stay home, but it also brought me back to an attitude of gratefulness for every day that I wake up “normal.”  It's so easy to take for granted all of our normal routines such as getting out of bed, being able to walk, see, hear – all of the senses that many of us just use without thinking or being thankful for!  I actually was able to catch up on some much needed rest, do some housecleaning that I had been putting off, and work on some articles I had been procrastinating about!

Once I was “non contagious” I was able to spend the evening with a close friend of mine who was visiting from out of town and I hadn’t seen for some time – she had recently gone through knee surgery and was needing either crutches or a cane to simply maneuver herself around.  She reinforced what I was feeling – having taken something for granted that normally we wouldn't even think about — her struggle was going for a simple walk without pain.   We both were reminded how easy it is to take things for granted and to be frustrated when things are out of sync, instead of being totally grateful for what we DO have.

 

 BLESSINGS THROUGH TRIALS

"If this is a blessing, it is certainly very well disguised.”

Winston Churchhill

 As I began to think a little deeper about “blessings in disguise,” I was reminded of some challenging times – the absolute worst trauma in my life when my brother was tragically killed; later my husband was downsized from his corporate job.  The following year I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  My dad was also very ill during this time.   I began to wonder what the “blessings” were that came out of these particular situations.

Worry does no good!

A Scripture verse from Matthew kept coming to me where God reminds us if he cares even for the little sparrows, how much more doesn't He cares about us and the things going on in our lives– whether it is a small challenge or a large traumatic event in our lives.

 

 God cared about my “pink eye” which was really a very small inconvenience for me; He was there through all the times when I was going through treatment, and  I was blessed during that time with wonderful doctors, nurses and a special new friend who I would never have met if she and I hadn’t shared that same experience! 

Because of the trials in our lives, my husband and I were nudged along to go after dreams of working from home and finding ways to help others do the same.   The people we have met along the way have been TRUE BLESSINGS and had none of the above challenges happened, we would have missed out on some really great friendships! 

It’s hard to see the blessings when you face real tragedies.  Rather than a blessing, it is a lesson that you learn or strength and character that you gain from going through a difficult situation. You look at life differently  because of what you've experienced.  My dad was a wonderful fatherr, a great friend, a strong example of a real servant.  What a blessing to have had such a loving earthly father.  Losing my brother at such a young age has caused me to become more compassionate.  It has caused me to reach out to others who have such losses and it has also made me very grateful that his family is still in my life.  My brother was very special  to me; I wish I had told him that more often.  Don’t be afraid to tell those you love how much they mean to you. By sharing some of my life, I'm hoping others will be drawn to be more compassionate to those who come in their path in a way that will make a difference in the world. 

 Every day is a new day – a fresh start – a time to look for all the blessings that are out there! 

 The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.”  Henry Ward Beecher

 

 Is there someone in your life who needs to know what a blessing they are to you?  Perhaps in need of some encouragement? You have the chance every day to make a difference in someone's life. 

You'll be glad you did.   

You can share any comments with me on Facebook.

I'd love to hear about YOUR "blessings in disguise."

 

Sue Graber has been happily married for 35 years, raising 3 daughters

 

while working creatively from home as an administrative assistant and a fund-raising specialist. She loves reaching out to others in kindness and is on a mission. She has an amazing ability to teach others how to build and nurture relationships, spend quality time with their families while generating income from home with a greeting card and gifting business. Sue is passionate about showing others how they, too, can make a difference every single day!

Tagged as: blessings, blessings in disguise, compassion, dreams, encouragement, thankful heart, trials