Everyday—Reflective Reminder

Posted on by Chris G Thelen

“Everyday” is a series of Thursday posts this month looking at God’s presence in everyday life.

Almost a year ago, a loved one suffered a head injury. While there continues to be progress, recovery has been slow. Vision problems, headaches and fatigue still persist. Too much stimulus can be painful for her. While she can now read more than she could a few months ago, it is still a strain if she reads too much. Driving a car is still a challenge.

The doctors and therapists told us at the start that it could take a year to heal—that it will take time to heal the brain. Physical therapy provided exercises to help retrain the brain to interpret what the eyes see. In the meantime, rest and stillness is encouraged. When you’re used to a fast pace, this can be challenging. I must admit some days I whisper, “Why God?” Through this we are learning: “be still and know that I Am God (Psalm 46:10, NIV).”

I know there are others who have more serious injuries. I’ve seen them at the rehab facility. While we are optimistic she will regain most of her functions, we’re very aware there are others who will not regain full function. It is teaching us to be grateful.

I am often encouraged by a reminder I received months ago at one of her physical therapy appointments. The therapist was working on eye movement by having my loved one focus on large words printed on sheets of paper fastened to the wall. One of the sheets had the word “dog” printed on it. I was seated behind her. After a few minutes of watching her, I noticed the word “dog” was reflected in a mirror to her left and I saw “god” in backward letters. It was such a potent reminder that God is with us, every step of the way—every long, slow step, he is present, never leaving our side.

Take a moment to share your own everyday experience with God in a comment.

© 2023, Chris G Thelen

Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. – Psalm 61:1-2 (NASB)

But the LORD has been my stronghold, And my God the rock of my refuge. – Psalm 94:22

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. – Romans 5:3-5

13 thoughts on “Everyday—Reflective Reminder”

  1. I experienced two job layoffs during my teaching career, but the first dramatically shaped my own faith journey. The loss of my job was totally unexpected, and God used this trial to reach out in His way to deepen my faith. We walked together for many weeks, but job openings were few. Eventually, His grace enriched my trust in the path ahead, and I was humbled when an opening brought me to the classroom days before another school year started.

    1. Thanks for sharing your experience. The trials of every day life can deepen our faith. I have found this to be true when I experienced job losses early in my career. I learned to wait on God and he provided in unexpected ways. Blessings!

  2. I routinely return to the Webb telescope images and cling to the immense, all-powerful, infinite sovereignty of God (Ps 19:1). Believing He will finish the work He has begun in the healing of your dear one…

    1. Those images are a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty. I also think about what it took just for us mere humans to capture those images—abilities provided by God to give us a glimpse of His infinite power. It’s very humbling.
      Thanks for you prayers. Blessings.

  3. Praying for you and your loved one Chris. 🙏
    I have had my own brain tumour/injury journey over many years; sometimes it has been very difficult, but often God steps into small situations to remind me of how blessed I am in many ways. Cherish such moments brother.

    1. Thank you for sharing your own experience. Thanks for the reminder to cherish those moments when God reveals blessings in small things. Praying for you as well. Blessings.

  4. We are a small church, and our leadership is tiny. They have been overwhelmed in the past few months, with needs of the church. I have seen God working in the heart of our pastor as he meets new challenges; and how God is working in the heart of another man, who is stepping forward with a servant’s heart and helping carry the load.

  5. Praying for you and your loved one. This was a moving reflection…God is with us through all the storms of life. Thank God that He is bigger than all the storms and He never lets us go. The winds may howl, and the seas may threaten to overpower us, but His love is steadfast, His promises true. How blessed we are in His provision of Fatherly love and mercy all the days of our lives and into eternity with Him.

  6. Pingback: Everyday—Reflective Reminder – Tonya LaLonde

  7. About a year ago, I sat down outside rather than rushing back in the house to continue my chores. I decided I needed to take a moment or two to praise the LORD for His creation and actually look at what He had made. A minute or so later, a flock of about 20 small twittering birds flew low directly over my head, singing their tiny hearts out. In that very moment, we were all praising Him together.
    “Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD.”

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