Written While Taking Public Speaking
I wrote this a few years ago while taking a public speaking course at the community college I was attending at the time. It still applies today. :)
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When I first heard this song, I didn’t understand it. But then something happened that completely changed my perspective.
Five years ago, I injured my ankle. After six months of pain and seeing an orthopedic surgeon who said nothing was wrong, I ended up in a wheelchair. Since I have always been the type of person who loves to stay busy, I was humiliated by the fact that I now had to depend on someone else to take me everywhere. For the next three and a half years, I had to use the chair when going anywhere because I could not stand up for any length of time. This started to get to me, and I began thinking it was how the rest of my life would be. As you can see, obviously, that is not the case!
Two years ago, I started seeing new doctors. I was diagnosed with gout, which explains why my ankle didn’t heal correctly since gout moves to injured areas in the body, where it forms nodules. In my case, the gout developed over time due to medications I have taken from having had a kidney transplant. One of the doctors took me off some of the medication; the other began treating the gout. In doing this, my pain decreased drastically.
Then, last year, the pain had gotten so much better that I thought that, just maybe, I could walk again. Since I have a goal of getting a guide dog, I had to try no matter the cost. I remember after the second time of walking in my neighborhood, I was ecstatic. I couldn’t believe that I was actually able to do it. That was when it hit me... I finally understood the meaning of this song. God had to stop me to make me realize how easy it is for us to take things for granted. Have any of you ever sat thinking of how blessed you are for being able to walk? Or for having your sight or hearing? I can honestly say that I never did until one night when I was laying in my bed thinking about what had happened. What I have learned is that we shouldn't take such everyday things for granted because we never know if they will be taken away.
"I Know How To Say Thank You"
By Suzanne and Barry Jennings
I don't know about the future, I don't understand some things about the past.
I don't know why some things happen, I don't know why some things end and others last.
I don't know the rhyme or reasons, I don't understand the words some people pray.
But then I see Your hand of mercy, Lord, protect me from the dangers in my way.
There were times today when angels stood around me and I couldn't even see.
There were times when I was hurting, and You stepped in and took the pain for me.
There were moments when You stopped me so that I could smell the roses by the road.
And though I'm not the wisest person, there are some things without a doubt I know.
I know how to say Thank You.
I know a blessing when I see one.
I'm a recipient of grace through the hours and the days.
I know how to say thank you.
********************
When I first heard this song, I didn’t understand it. But then something happened that completely changed my perspective.
Five years ago, I injured my ankle. After six months of pain and seeing an orthopedic surgeon who said nothing was wrong, I ended up in a wheelchair. Since I have always been the type of person who loves to stay busy, I was humiliated by the fact that I now had to depend on someone else to take me everywhere. For the next three and a half years, I had to use the chair when going anywhere because I could not stand up for any length of time. This started to get to me, and I began thinking it was how the rest of my life would be. As you can see, obviously, that is not the case!
Two years ago, I started seeing new doctors. I was diagnosed with gout, which explains why my ankle didn’t heal correctly since gout moves to injured areas in the body, where it forms nodules. In my case, the gout developed over time due to medications I have taken from having had a kidney transplant. One of the doctors took me off some of the medication; the other began treating the gout. In doing this, my pain decreased drastically.
Then, last year, the pain had gotten so much better that I thought that, just maybe, I could walk again. Since I have a goal of getting a guide dog, I had to try no matter the cost. I remember after the second time of walking in my neighborhood, I was ecstatic. I couldn’t believe that I was actually able to do it. That was when it hit me... I finally understood the meaning of this song. God had to stop me to make me realize how easy it is for us to take things for granted. Have any of you ever sat thinking of how blessed you are for being able to walk? Or for having your sight or hearing? I can honestly say that I never did until one night when I was laying in my bed thinking about what had happened. What I have learned is that we shouldn't take such everyday things for granted because we never know if they will be taken away.
"I Know How To Say Thank You"
By Suzanne and Barry Jennings
I don't know about the future, I don't understand some things about the past.
I don't know why some things happen, I don't know why some things end and others last.
I don't know the rhyme or reasons, I don't understand the words some people pray.
But then I see Your hand of mercy, Lord, protect me from the dangers in my way.
There were times today when angels stood around me and I couldn't even see.
There were times when I was hurting, and You stepped in and took the pain for me.
There were moments when You stopped me so that I could smell the roses by the road.
And though I'm not the wisest person, there are some things without a doubt I know.
I know how to say Thank You.
I know a blessing when I see one.
I'm a recipient of grace through the hours and the days.
I know how to say thank you.