Beyond ready to throw in the towel and explode over life’s vexations, I sought God’s deliverance. I needed escape from Satan’s temptation of feeling angry and sorry for myself. Life was bombarding me with curve balls and stingers. Bitterness was my fear. I’m a soul centered in gratitude and would not lose this.
Focus, Bonnie. Focus, Bonnie. My Gratitude Towel… My Gratitude Towel… I couldn’t explain the calling. I just felt compelled to reach for my gift from Cynthia — my Gratitude Towel. Pulling it from its resting place, I spread it out on my kitchen counter. Woven into the fiber of its core, I absorbed its message — “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more… It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” (Melody Beattie)
These words I yearned to re-affirm as my foundation. Everything, even my current tribulations, needs to rest upon this creed. Next, my hands grabbed hold of the dusty shelves from my curio cabinet which were sprawled out on the slab opposite where I had spread Cynthia’s gift of my Gratitude Towel. Laying a shelf directly on the towel, I began scrubbing it clean. My current attitude needed the same. Just like the glass, it was clouded with worldly smudges.
My heart and soul sensed Cynthia must be reminded how great a gift she had bestowed on me. Too much time had separated us from sharing and caring. I needed to reconnect with my sister in Christ. I texted her: “Do you remember the Gratitude Towel you gifted me. Well, at this moment, it is my most needed blessing. Thank you, again!!!”
Cynthia’s immediate response: “You’re perfect timing. I keep going to tears. I saw a neurologist and oncologist today, then went to Weston ER for immediate testing. I’m waiting to get admitted now. The cancer is non operable and is called Leptomeningeal Disease. It’s the covering of the brain. He says radiation is the only thing that I can do for it. We’ll pray. God knows the plans He has for me. Your prayers mean everything to me.”
The insole of my soul needed realignment. I asked God for refocus. He sent me redirection. A trifle of worldly struggle, I was bemoaning. A precipice, Cynthia was steadfastly placing in God’s mighty power. No longer were momentary setbacks suffocating my journey. How could they be? Cynthia was amidst the gravest of roadblocks, yet trusting God to carry her, while I had temporarily slipped my hand from God’s grasp. Humbly, I wiggled my fingertips back into the stronghold of God’s palm.
What had seemed to me so significant a misfortune, now became a nothing at all. Cries of “woe me” became pleas for my sister in Christ, who has given so much spiritual grounding to so many — including me.
It was God who led me to reach for my Gratitude Towel. It was God who, also, nudged me to reach out to Cynthia. It was Cynthia who led me back to reaching up to God.
Heavenly Father, cradle Cynthia in Your loving arms. Her soul is saved. Please, save her body from worldly suffering. Satan has knocked her off her feet, but he cannot knock her off her knees. She is Yours, and You are hers. And I am deeply grateful for you both.
Uplifted in a Broken Down World 