Thanksgiving

This is an update of a story previously published in the Robertson County (TN) Times

I am now more than halfway finished with my freshman year in college, and I certainly have learned a lot. Possibly my most meaningful lesson has been the lesson of gratitude, and I reflected on this subject while waiting in an airport at Thanksgiving. I would like to share this reflection with you.

There I was, sitting in the airport, waiting for my delayed plane so that I could return home for my first visit since I had started college. Delayed flights are bothersome, problematic, and frustrating. Upon discovering I would be arriving in Tennessee much later than the scheduled hour, I experienced my fair share of dissatisfaction and anger. Then I stopped to think about my life.

A few months ago I never would had thought this same situation possible. Almost exactly six months ago I was told that I could not attend my dream university in Washington, D.C., that I would never be able to travel by plane again, and most discouraging of all, that I would be with an oxygen tank and medicine pack for the rest of my life. A mere month later, doctors told me that I was facing a double lung transplant, which would most likely extend my life by only ten more years. To most, my future seemed pretty bleak.

Somehow, I remained optimistic and faithful in God. I cannot remember how many times I heard the phrase "indomitable spirit" when people spoke about or to me. I honestly believe that God confronted me with this difficult situation because God knew that I would be able to turn it into something that could inspire other people. Hopefully I did, and continue to do so.

After moving to Baltimore for what my family and I thought would be a stay of at least a year while I waited for a transplant, God performed a miracle as only God can. My condition began to improve, and soon I was without oxygen supplementation and poised to be discharged from the hospital - without a frightening transplant. My incredible doctors broke to me the news that I could attend Georgetown University in August 2007, and I had a new lease on life. While I would still have to carry a medicine pack and never be what most consider "normal," I had my life back.

I made the most of my last month at home before making the move to our nation's capital. I then began school with many more issues than the average college student has to handle. I am constantly at doctors' appointments and find it hard to do much physical exertion (which translates to taking the elevator and walking slowly when none of my friends need to). I have even had to have a few surgeries this fall (one of them being the removal of the IV in my chest - no more medicine pack!), but I also have a new perspective on things that I can only pray others could have.

Through my struggles this summer, I have learned faith, compassion for others, and most importantly, to be thankful in all circumstances, among countless other new behaviors that are sometimes lost in the fast-paced, self-centered society in which we now live. I also know that God has a plan in everything I do, but that it is up to me to make the most of every situation. I have so much for which to be grateful. Each day that I walk around campus, I thank God for being without an oxygen tank and without a medicine pack, and I do not even take the ability to walk for granted. Months ago I could not even leave my bed. How do we so easily get lost in the frustrations of life that we cannot appreciate our many blessings? Everything is a gift from God, and everything should be treated as such.

While at Georgetown, I spend my time studying and being involved in extracurricular activities, but I spend an equal amount of time being an example for my fellow students by living a grateful life. There is always something worse that could be happening to me than what I am going through right now, and most certainly someone on this earth is in a more unfortunate position than I am at this moment.

God wants us to be thankful in all situations, and I know that we can do that by helping each other - by sharing our blessings with others that may be in need. I find myself reaching out to anyone that will listen, and that is one way that I share my blessings. Since I have started college, I have been deemed "a person who can make friends with anyone" by those who know me. God wants us to be in community with each other, which means extending love to the last and the least. This is one way to express our gratitude for what we have.

I have a very strong faith in God, especially after my trying summer. Fortunately, this faith has done nothing but grow stronger since I have been at college. Each week at worship service I am brought to tears by God's grace and blessings, and not very surprisingly, I have heard the call to the ministry. I am ecstatic about it, but I am even more thrilled about being healthy and confident enough to share my experiences and perspective with others. Gratitude should not be saved for Thanksgiving, nor should it only be expressed when one has overcome a difficult obstacle. Gratitude is necessary in all that life gives us (whether it be good or bad) - if not for the sake of God, then for the sake of those who are not fortunate enough to be in the position that we are.

When your flight is delayed, be slow to anger and quick to count your many blessings. That day, instead of persisting with my attitude of resentment and annoyance towards the airline or the weather or whatever, I decided to be grateful for the money to be able to fly home for the holiday, a family that loves me, improved health that allows me to fly at all, improved health in itself … my list could go on and on.

Thanksgiving to God should never cease, nor should it wane when times become difficult. There is always something (or many things, even) for which to be grateful, and only when we acknowledge that fact can we give true praise and glory to our Creator. Although Thanksgiving Day was three months ago, please remember to show your gratitude in all that you do every day. Trust me - you will be thankful you do.