Do you take your good health for granted?
I sure did. But this week I was forced to stop and watch as my best friends’ health deteriorated. She went to the hospital for assistance with an ongoing heart issue. But it wasn’t that simple.
Within a few days, they found serious health issues. She ended up in the Intensive Care Unit. She is still there. Each day I pray for God to give her peace, to give the doctors wisdom, and to give her back to us. When I visited, my friend said, “you never know what a day will hold.”
It made me realize how much I take for granted. When I left I vowed I would savor the simple joys of health and life.
Waking up after a restful sleep.
Getting a hug and a kiss goodbye.
Cooking a big dinner for family. Washing the dishes. Going for a long walk.
Watching the sunset.
Raking the sand on my beach.
Feeding the chickadees, from my hand!
Simple things, simple joys but so sweet when I thought of losing them to poor health. Seeing a friends’ health deteriorate has made me aware of my health choices. I know I can’t prevent all health issues and my friend couldn’t either.
But I want to invest in my health. It’s a precious gift that I want to appreciate and keep. I have a renewed zeal to help you make healthy choices too my friend!
Let’s make today count. Let’s make today the day we take little steps to health.
Here’s what I am learning about healthy choices for my body, mind, and spirit.
Good food fuels my body and fights disease. The junk food I crave when I’m stressed is losing its appeal. Especially when I know it doesn’t help my body. In fact, it harms it. I’m working on choosing vegetables and fruit more often.
Exercise makes my heart and lungs work and it makes them stronger. I’m finding that a half-hour walk burns off lots of stress and some calories too. I always feel better after a good walk.
I am generally an optimistic person but my mind can go with the worst-case scenario. Especially when I think of my friend and all her interrelated health issues. I have to take control of my thoughts. So I watch for the good and for the little improvements. I need hope to help me cope.
My spirit? It was troubled. I poured out my heart to God in my prayers. I have a growing peace. Peace because God is teaching me to trust Him. Trust Him because He is on His throne.
He is in control. He loves my friend more than I do. I love her dearly. I miss our phone calls and visits. He is a good God. God has proven Himself trustworthy many times and He will again. I am learning to praise Him when things are hard and this is hard.
I’m not sure what is happening in your life? But I hope you savor the little joys of health and life. Don’t wait until a health crisis makes you aware. Remember our core verse and don’t get weary of doing the little things you know will make a difference in your health.
“And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up”. Galatians 6:9 New Living Translation
Today’s little step: Take one little step to health today. Every little step makes a difference!
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Little Steps to Health
Featured Image by julia roman from Pixabay
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