Revisiting Memories

It can be sweet to revisit memories. While some memories are best to stay away from, it’s always sweet to recall when we witnessed God’s hand move. I remember a time in April, 2012 when I was converting my closets from Winter to Summer clothes, I came across some summertime pajamas I had purchased the previous Spring. They weren’t flashy, but the sweet kind of PJ’s you buy with comfort in mind. Pretty, yet functional. Finding them brought a smile to my face.

Pajamas made me smile?

These were the PJ’s I took for my hospital stay in April 2011 after brain surgery. It’s hard to believe it’s been almost fourteen years since everything around me took on a new life of its own. You can the story of my healing after brain surgery in God’s Best During Your Worst.

The first few years after surgery were filled with wonderful gifts and blessings. I don’t know if I would have recognized them as such if it had not been for that fateful night in April.

For example

For example, I’ve always known I have an awesome husband. But Lew was there for me in ways that I could not have anticipated. His faith tested right along with me, and I will forever be grateful to him and his dedication to me and our marriage.

My children were marvelous as they stepped up to the plate of responsibility and attentiveness. There’s nothing as wonderful as seeing your grown children as loving and caring people. Just like you always hope they’d turn into being.

I can’t forget my friends who sent so many cards, calls, and e-mails of best wishes and support. I recently re-read all my notes and once again felt the surge of love from all my well-wishers.

Beliefs are like sponges

Beliefs are like sponges .. they need to be squeezed to see what’s held inside. Truly my beliefs were squeezed—challenged—the Spring of 2011. During those early and frightening days, I had to evaluate if what I believed would be enough to carry me through to whatever happened during the surgery as well as beyond. I had to look dead-on into the eyes of my mortality … I needed to see if I felt the need to turn away from what I saw or if I would be the first to blink.

When revisiting memories of challenging times, you’ll see beliefs can be like sponges. They need to be squeezed to see what’s held inside.

No blinking for me

I won’t say my first year after surgery was easy. In fact, the first five were filled with learning what my new normals would forever be. After months of physical, speech, and occupational therapy, I found what would be my forever-after life. I’ve come to accept that I will always have some weakness and loss of dexterity in my right side. My memory is sketchy. Running up or down stairs is just a memory now. The area on my head where my hair was shaved has filled in and there aren’t the renegade wisps of hair that lived there after being shaved.

What I gained

I can tell you—without a doubt—that I know Who holds my tomorrows. I can also tell you that I have an excited peace knowing that the Creator of the Universe still has a plan for Robin Luftig. I’ve gained a new perspective.

I can see with my mind’s eye that on the day of creation, God stood back, looked at me, His creation, and smiled. He knew what I would experience, and He knew His presence would be pivotal in my healing. He watched over me then just as He continues to watch over me today and my through my tomorrows.

And He watches over you as well.

Life is sweet, even when you think it isn’t. There may be trials in your world today, but they are temporary. Time—along with trials—will pass.

Don’t waste time fretting about the “what could have been’s” in your past. We’re better off hooking our wagons to the “what-is”, remembering who it is that’s holding all of our tomorrows; because honestly … it isn’t us.

Life is sweet, even when you think it isn't. There may be trials in your world today, but they are temporary. Time—along with trials—will pass. Share on X

“… in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 NIV

Do you know …

Do you know anyone facing brain surgery? I encourage you to check out Cristabelle Braden’s website, Hope Survives, where she and her team strive to address the mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of those impacted by brain injury. Their family-focused approach acknowledges that brain injury impacts the entire family, not just the survivor, and creates spaces where each member can find understanding, strength, and hope. Through education, connection, and unwavering support, the Hope Survive team reminds survivors and their families that healing is possible and hope truly survives.

What say you?

What do you wonder about?  Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.