- Janey Jang
Gratitude: Pass It On -- A Story of Life as a Gift from God
Yesterday, my caregiver, Bailey, did not come because she was overwhelmed doing seven nights a week since my other caregiver left. I did not get the message until ten minutes after she was supposed to arrive at 9:30pm. I called a lot of backup caregivers before I finally called my brother, who refused to come because he was already in bed. I realized that our lives are not ours, but gifts from God that should be used as gratitude for Him.
When my backup caregiver, Rose, finally came, I asked her if she could come a few days to relieve Bailey. Rose does not have a babysitter late at night to take me #2. The latest that she can come is 9:30pm. So, she asked if it would disrupt my bowel schedule because I am going bathroom two hours earlier. I said, “Yes, but I have always lived my life around everyone else’s life. I learned that my life is not my own, but a gift from God. I get everything I need and want by focusing on the goal, not the way I get it.”
This practice means that if I need to go to the bathroom two hours earlier when my caregivers are free, then I do that. At least, I still go to the bathroom. If I want to go a concert at 8pm and my caregiver can only carry me down the stairs of my house at 6pm, then I wait two hours. I still get to go to the concert. If I must help someone and put myself second, I find a way to get what I want afterwards.
In this way, I do God’s will to love first and still live my life. I show my gratitude for the life God has given me by giving first and getting second.
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