The title of this post comes from a bumper sticker. When I saw it, I immediately thought of our daughter. If you read my July 19 post, “See Me”, you know she was the pedestrian in a vehicle-pedestrian accident in New York City last spring. While we are grateful her injuries were not more serious, it’s been hard on her. A few weeks after the accident, she and I were on the phone, attempting to make sense of insurance policies and New York state law. I commented that it was a learning experience for both of us. With fatigue and exasperation in her voice, she responded, “Mom, you always say things are learning experiences. I’ve learned enough!”
Don’t we all feel that way sometimes? We know we often learn and grow the most—in our lives and in our faith—during the tough times, but we’ve had enough. We just want smooth sailing…at least for a while. However, regardless of how we feel about facing the challenges of life, they will come. I figure we might as well learn what we can from them. In Beach Walk Ministries, this is part of what we call gathering our treasures after the storm. It’s possible we’ll learn practical things such as my daughter and I were trying to sort out on the phone. But there are more important lessons to be learned. Often, we learn how precious life is. We may learn to be more compassionate, and better able to encourage others through their rough patches.
Recently our daughter wrote about some of the lessons she has learned since her accident. I found wisdom and humor in her words. As someone who has witnessed her tears, I’m so proud of her! Below are some of my favorite parts of what she wrote. May her words bring laughter and encouragement to your heart this day.
– If you’re going to have a panic attack in a parking lot followed by a complete breakdown in your car, try to avoid doing so in a parking lot that charges every 15 minutes.
– If you have a badly sprained foot/ankle, no matter how tempting, do not moonwalk when Michael Jackson comes on.
– Going through a hard time reveals who is most willing to stick with you through it.
– Progress is progress, no matter how small, and should be celebrated.
– Take the time to appreciate the little things, because they’re great reminders that the world isn’t all terrible.
Maryann WEST
7 Nov 2018Wise words from a young person. We certainly do learn from and DURING adversity!
I am particularly moved by her second-to-last lesson: Progress is progress, no matter how small, and it should be celebrated.
I couldn’t agree more. All too often I am focused on the final payout, the big splash, the ringing of the bells upon accomplishment. Sometimes, I simply don’t make it to that finish line before I am discouraged. I, too, have learned through adversity, to celebrate the little victories, the daily progress, the turning of one page in a very big chapter. I find the celebration keeps my spirits and my humor up, and, if the next step is very steep, I can rest sometimes, fully realizing the accomplishments I have already accrued and celebrated. It seems, in my case, if I celebrate the little bricks, they become the big steps of support as I go.
Thanks for this post. Wisdom seems to run in your family!