My 2024 has started off hard in so many ways. One might even say I have a front-row seat on the struggle bus. As many of you know, I kicked off the New Year in the emergency room and with an appendectomy. My first two weeks of the year were spent in recovery, one that did not go as smoothly or as easily as I had hoped.

Once recovered, I was eager to usher in a season of normalcy within our family. I even craved being bored. Then, my daughter broke her foot in 2 places and now has a 6-8 week recovery – crutches, a knee scooter, and weekly check ups with the ortho.

I don’t share this inside-scoop for sympathy but more to confess that even the most positive, optimistic, “go getter” type of person can struggle to stay positive. Like others, I am tempted to sit and feel sorry for myself. But, I refuse to indulge that temptation because I know that feeling sorry for myself does not serve me well. I’m having to lean into lessons that I talk about on Mornin’ Motivations and within my book, Worth it and Wonderful.

Have I caught myself stressing of the next 6 weeks? Yes, I absolutely have! Are there times that I really wish this wasn’t our current reality? You betcha’! The practical implications of a kid with a broken foot are many – from showers and getting her to school to chores she can no longer do at home. We have daily rhythms and flows that are suspended until we no longer have a knee scooter zipping through our home. All of that is very real. We’ve experienced some major speed bumps in 2024 – pun intended. But the reality is….

I have the opportunity to choose how I will move forward

I get to choose the lens through which I view all that has transpired. Not only that, our children are carefully watching and learning though this experience. I have to carefully consider the lessons that I want them to learn about navigating the curveballs of life. Not to mention, as a woman of faith I know that I need to live out the very truth that I proclaim and believe.

With all that in mind, I’d like to share a few things that I’ve already learned (or re-learned) in 2024 through the humbling experience of unexpected surgery, recovery, and my daughter’s broken bone.

Allow others to come alongside you and bless you with support! 

During my surgery and recovery, many people offered to help and blessed my family. My in-laws cared for our children while I was in the hospital. My sister-in-law, Hannah, made us dinner. My mom came and cooked us multiple meals, while also tidying up around the house. Monica, my sweet friend, brought me a cozy gift and sat with me more than once, to include when I was in a lot of pain. Chris, another amazing friend, came over with my favorite cup of coffee and spent time with me. I get lonely when I’m in recovery so that was the medicine I needed! I also received a gorgeous bouquet of flowers and numerous cards. Surgery is no fun but feeling the love and care of others is life-giving. I am grateful that I could shelve my pride and receive the love and care of my circle of support. Looking back, I feel so much love.

If you are also having a tough time this year, please allow others to support you. It is one of the strongest things that you can do and I know it will bless both you and them.

Simplify as much as possible! 

When things are tough, there is more on your plate emotionally and often from a scheduling perspective. Simplify by doing things like ordering takeout instead of cooking or skipping optional activities. Give yourself extra breathing room. Our family has had a lot of extra movie nights, as one of our simplifying strategies.

Now would not be the time to tackle an at-home DIY project. Nor is this the time to pick up an extra hobby. For now, dig into the things that are required most and prioritize accordingly. This won’t be necessary forever, just for now.

Balance big emotions with the recognition that it is only a season! 

In the middle of tough stuff it can feel like it will always be hard or that life will never be normal again. Allow yourself to feel emotions like sadness and frustration but don’t linger there. Force yourself to look up and above the situation you face to realize there will be another side – you will not be in this exact spot forever.

Find people you can share the tough stuff with but who will also love you enough to challenge you to see the bigger picture. My mom is one of the best people for this! She is so great at affirming how I feel but then reminding me of the truth that “this won’t last forever.” It is usually the reminder I need to not feel crippled by my circumstances.

My mom also points me to the most important truth, that which is found in the pages of scripture. One day, when recovery was wrecking me emotionally, she urged me to go to Psalm 34 – specifically verses 4-8. I sat and wrote and those verse in my journal, allowing them to recenter me and guide me forward.

Gratitude is Grounding

I can’t forget to mention the Super Power of gratitude. There is always something to be thankful for! I am thankful for the incredible care I received and the way my needs were met. My surgeon was phenomenal and not only skilled but also compassionate and kind.

I’m deeply grateful for my husband, Adam. He has been selfless in his care for me and anticipated my needs before I even needed to articulate them. He has been my emotional rock and come alongside me in so many practical ways. Surgery was a marriage-strengthening experience for us. That is something I can celebrate.

I am also grateful our daughter didn’t need surgery and that many people came together to provide her excellent care. We also had a kind friend loan us a knee scooter, saving us money and the hassle of finding one to buy. I’m not going to overlook these blessings! As I focus on them, I find myself strengthened and energized to tackle on the challenges of the day. Gratitude gives me life.

I choose to live a 1 Thessalonians 5:8 kind of life and “In all things give thanks.”

You’ve Got This – I Know You Do

If things are hard right now I hope you will hear my voice urging your forward. I hope that you will know you aren’t alone in the hard. There are others, like me, who feel like they are living in a strange pseudo-reality right now. I’m cheering for you and pray that you’ll find support from your circle as well. Take good care of yourself to include simplifying for this season. And while those big feelings will be there, don’t allow them to hold you hostage. Be intentional to shift your mind to things from above and frame your day with gratitude as your focal point. Take good care to do the things that will serve you well until you find yourself on the other side of this struggle.

PS – Make sure you laugh some, too! This card from my husband’s coworkers cracked me up!