Today we examine what we are thankful for and count our blessings.  As I reflect on this, I am astonished by what comes to mind.  Of course, I am thankful for my family, friends, food, shelter and my relationship with God; but what I am most thankful for this year surprised me and will probably take your breath away too.  I am actually most thankful for ALS.  I will give you a moment to process that thought...

How can I be thankful for something that has turned my family's life upside down?  ALS has realigned us, redefined us and redirected us.  Prior to ALS, our priorities were probably fairly typical for families in this nation - career, money, ourselves.  After being on this journey for about two years, our priorities have shifted to relationships with God, each other and friends.  ALS has caused us to jump off that treadmill of life we were on and move at a much slower pace.  We frequently sit down and enjoy a sunset or an uninterrupted conversation.  We no longer feel guilty saying "no" to activities and meaningless pursuits that simply filled our time.

ALS has redefined us as a family.  We must be filled with faith, courage and hope as we battle this disease.  We can no longer feel responsible for all the circumstances we find ourselves in; we see a higher power in action.  We must face each day with courage that comes not from our own strength.  We stay focused on the hope that there is more to life than this.

My life has been redirected by ALS.  I was content to stay at home while Akhil worked perhaps not fully utilizing the gifts I have been given.  ALS has caused me to step out in faith to realize a dream. If it weren't for the pressure of ALS, I probably would never have had reason to pursue the dream.

This Thankgiving, I give thanks for the place I am.  I see that it is exactly where I am meant to be so I can become the person I am destined to be.  

It has been rather blustery the last couple of months and it even snowed here for a few brief minutes on Saturday!  In spite of the uncomfortable conditions presented by the weather, this little plant continues to blossom.  There is even another little plant growing inside it with bright pink blossoms that you can barely see in  the photo at the left.  These blossoms overcome the obstacles to show their beauty and splendor.  When the weather is cold and dreary, seeing these flowers each day brings a smile to my face.  They are so unexpected amongst the snow! 

Akhil is like these flowers.  He is in the midst of some challenging conditions and yet he continues to display joy.  In spite of the obstacles, he shows his beauty and splendor.  He refuses to let the challenges prevent him from sharing his colorful personality with the world.   Akhil's humor is an unexpected surprise  that never ceases to bring a smile to my face.  His attitude is inspirational to everyone who has the opportunity to talk to him. 

When you are confronted with challenging circumstances, rather than complaining, I hope you are inspired to be that unexpected blossom in the winter that brings a smile to others' faces. 

“If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat” is a book by John Ortberg referring to the Biblical story of Peter.  In Matthew 14:22-31, when Jesus summoned Peter to get out of his boat and walk on the water, Peter did – that is until he looked around and got scared.  Even though Peter was already walking on water, once he acknowledged his circumstances, he was filled with a paralyzing fear.  As a result, I would add to Ortberg’s title “… And Put Blinders On”. 

We all face what seem to be impossible circumstances at some time in our lives.  We must look to our faith and not the facts or feelings to get us through.  Peter walked on water while he was focused on faith and not the facts.  As soon as Peter began to examine his circumstances, feelings of uncertainty and fear kicked in and he began to sink. 

As you tread through whatever difficult circumstances you are dealing with, surround yourself with people who will encourage you to have faith rather that those who insist on pointing to your circumstances.  Avoid those who want you to examine the facts.  Faith and facts are incompatible in our struggles.

When we first received the diagnosis of ALS, my imagination immediately created a future scenario filled with heartache.  I saw myself alone, financially broke and emotionally defeated.  As I sat in the boat of diagnosis, I saw nothing but the storm around me and it paralyzed me.  Fortunately, I chose to quickly push those thoughts of despair out of my mind and resume a walk of faith.  How many people don’t make that choice and instead, sit paralyzed in the boat, afraid to move because of their circumstances?  At times, they may be able to focus on the positive and make some advancements but someone is quick to ask, “What are you doing?  Don’t you know there is a storm all around you?” and they quickly jump back in their boat of fear.

If you are the one facing a storm in your life, get out of the boat of fear.  Walk by faith!  If you are the observer, stop pointing out the storm!  Grab hands with the person in the boat and lift him out by your encouraging words and thoughts of hope.  The experience of walking on water, for however brief a moment, is amazing.