In the past ten years, I lost a life-long dream of riding on the United States Equestrian Team, I sustained a traumatic brain injury and was forced to relearn to read, write, walk and talk again. Sometime later, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I faced numerous access denials with the very canine assistant who made life bearable again; and was often turned away from businesses and shopping centers, forced to return back to the prison of my disabilities. I've been made fun of by children, sneered and snickered at by adults, was abandoned in my pregnancy and forced to embark on parenthood alone, without support. And finally, sustained a brutal attack from a drunken family member that caused me to lose my home and become homeless with a (then three-year-old) child and my service dogs.
Whew! That sure is a lot of "stuff"! Whatcha thinkin? Feeling sorry for me? Feel like those are horrible things that happened to me? Wishing it didn't happen to me? Well, I don't feel that way, so I don't want you to either. Let's put a positive spin on this, shall we?
I've learned so much through the adversity that I've faced in my life. I've had more than my share, that's for sure! But that's the good news! That's right! I know from what the bible tells me, that everything that has been taken from me will come back to me double.
More than that, my faith, my self-confidence, and my sense of self has been strengthened through what most would view as "horrible" challenges.
I don't view what has happened to me as horrible... Oh, there was a point in time where I did, believe me! But in retrospect, I see that this journey has afforded me many opportunities that I otherwise would've missed out on; and I wouldn't' change that for the world.
I believe that God has led me down this path for a reason. I've been given a voice, and a passion to fulfill my mission. Not only am I teaching about the wonderful benefits of service dogs, but I'm sharing my experiences with others, and inviting them to reach out to God so that He may work wonders in their lives as well.
What an honor that is! To be up on a stage in order to share the glory of His love with others. Does that sound horrible to you in any way, shape or form?
Our lives are shaped by our thoughts. ..and thoughts are such powerful things! By thinking negatively, we block out the ability of God's love to penetrate the darkness and alleviate our problems.
Alternatively, when we turn to God on a regular basis, and especially in times of turmoil; we have the faith to remain calm in the storms of our lives. This calmness enables us to take advantage of opportunities that He sends our way; ones that we often miss when we are too caught up in negative thoughts and worry.
Our society is one that demands things immediately. Instant gratification is the sign of our times; but that isn't God's timing at all. When our prayers are not instantaneously answered (as if by some magic genie), we get soured, thinking that God did not hear our prayer, or care to answer us.
Quite the opposite is true! God hears every prayer; but it is not up to us how it is answered. He is working behind the scenes in our lives, doing things that we can't even imagine; putting things together in His own perfect timing. When we get frustrated and give up by thinking negatively, we cancel out all the good He was trying to accomplish...and then we have the nerve to blame God!
In order to get "in sync" with God, we have to trust Him...in good times and in bad. He is there for us in every moment of our lives, but most of us only call on Him when there is a dire need; forgetting to maintain a relationship with him on a day to day basis.
God wants to be part of everything and every day in our lives! He wants to be invited in to share your triumphs, and comfort through the tragedies. He wants to rejoice with us, mourn with us, and support us. He wants to be our friend; and this is the part that I really keyed in on.
God wants to be my friend. How cool is that?! The all-powerful creator of the Universe wants to be MY friend! Imagine missing out on that opportunity!
I invited God into my heart after my accident. Up until then, I'd attended church, but didn't really have a close relationship with Him, because I didn't know how; or even knew it was possible, for that matter.
After my accident, I had a near-death experience. I came back with an experience that I know He's been prompting me to share. I have the need to share my experiences with others; and encourage them to invite God into their lives and watch their dreams take wing.
Speaking to faith-based groups is one of my most favorite things to do! I feel as though I'm not speaking; but that I'm being spoken through. It is in those times, that an indescribable joy, like no other, bubbles up and overwhelms me when I share His good deeds in my life---and I have learned that this is how I am to know that I am using the talents that He has instilled in me to his Glory.
Does my story still sound horrible to you?
My heart is filled with the joy of the Lord, and I am secure in the knowledge that I am right where He has meant me to be. I share my life and the stage with my closest canine companions, and am the mother of the best child on earth..... I can't see anything but good in that synopsis....further proof that God knows exactly what He's doing!
Just imagine for a moment, what my life would have been had I not followed a positive thinking approach and fell into the negative, self-pitying thought process that would have been much easier. I would have missed out on all the wonderful opportunities that God had in store for me!
How many opportunities have you missed in your life? Don't dwell on them; but be aware of them, so that the next time you go through a storm in your life, you turn to God instead of to negative thinking.
I promise He can take your storm and use it to plant seeds in a bright new future! Trust in Him and be prepared to see miracles in your life.
--Kimberly Carnevale
Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Here is a wondeful explanation that has been around for quite sometime...
