10 Lessons in 10 Years

Ten years ago today, my parents and I were beginning to realize that what we had thought was an allergic reaction to a strong antibiotic was actually much more serious. And I was preparing myself for it to be permanent. I didn’t know if I would ever walk on my own again, let alone play the piano or finish college.

But God knew what was happening. He knew that the next ten years would be hard—but they would be so rewarding.

So, here are the ten lessons I’ve learned in the last ten years.

1. I need to trust God even if I don’t understand. He has a plan, and it is good—even if I can’t see it yet.
2. I am not the only one suffering, and I can use what I learn through my suffering to encourage others.
3. I am not a failure. I can’t define success the way the world defines it. I have to define success as God does: “To do justice . . . to love kindness, and to walk humbly with [my] God” (Micah 6:8).
4. Sometimes I lose control of my body and my brain, and that’s ok. God has control of it all.
5. I need to be alone to recharge. And that’s ok, too. So did Jesus (Mark 1:35).
6. Medicines can do some pretty wacky things to your brain.
7. My parents are the best in the world. They’re both so patient and understanding with me, even when I make life hard.
8. I need to eat regularly or else I become an emotional train wreck.
9. When you find a doctor who listens to you and doesn’t throw drugs at the problem, keep them.
10. God can use the darkest parts of my life to bring light to someone else’s.

I hope God can use these random thoughts to encourage you today. Whatever you’re going through, trust God. He is writing our stories. We don’t know where the plot is taking us, but we can trust that it is good.