Life Challenges :)

Life can be challenging... we are either headed for a crisis, in a crisis or coming out of a crisis!

Dealing with crisis is all about your perspective...how you choose to handle the situation before you.

In my 46 years I have had joys and heartaches. Married at 18 (not sure why so young except that I was absolutely certain that it was what God wanted me to do. I was completely at peace with my decision... no jitters or question in my mind. I was the most calm bride you have ever laid eyes upon....cool, calm and at peace.

Until...a few months into the marriage, I was asking, "What did I get myself into??!!"
It was an extension and continuation of the sheltered life I led for 18 years !!

Smothered...isolated...controlled. (Although, always felt loved.)

Endured the marriage for 20 years even though I came to the point where I contemplated ending my life because I was so incredibly miserable. I did not understand why I was being treated like a worthless piece of trash. But, I knew God had a plan for me. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" ~ Proverbs 3:4. This verse got me through the darkest times of my misery. God taught me that no one has the authority to circumscribe my worth as a person.

During that time my oldest daughter (at 16) decided to hang with the partying, drinking crowd and eventually got into drugs. She was arrested several times.

This event in my life was THE most painful and frightening. Especially since I did not want anyone in my family or any friends to know what was happening. I felt so inept, so powerless to guide my daughter back to the sweet child she once was. (of course she blames the escapades on her father whose attention she so desperately needed.)

I did a lot of praying during this time...seriously many conversations with God where I told Him I would do anything to get my beautiful daughter back.


God has a sense of humor... I found myself in the emergency room one night after passing out. Before my head hit my nightstand, I thought my head was going to explode...literally.

I was alone, nearly midnight.

When I awoke I immediately called my ex-husband. (Fortunately, we have remained friends.I was able to forgive him for what he did to our marriage.)

It was an aneurysm...conveniently located in my brain! When I got to the hospital, I was told my brain was bleeding, which required brain surgery. Great fun, I thought. I also wondered if this was my answer to prayer...this may get my daughters attention. But, God had even more surprises in store for us!

(to be continued...)