Choosing Thankfulness Over Hopelessness, part 2

Here is part 2 of Sarah Vicker’s guest blog. We can all learn from Sarah on how to be thankful…Soon after this, a woman called my home, and spoke with my mom. The woman said, “You don’t know me, but my name is Megan, and I am a brain injury Occupational Therapist. I’ve heard about Sarah, and I want to work with her.”  My mom thanked her, but explained to her about my insurance situation. Megan said that she did not care, and that she knew that God wanted her to work with me. Megan is an expert in her field, and she teaches her rehabilitation techniques all over the world. God did not need insurance benefits to provide me with outstanding healthcare.The physical limitations were wearisome, but one of my largest problems was the vision loss due to my brain injury. I had what was called "neglect", where my brain did not recognize what it was seeing. In addition, I had a "visual field cut" which is an actual vision loss. The doctors said my brain could be trained to overcome the "neglect", but that the "visual field cut" would always be there. I really needed this to improve, because I hoped to be able to drive someday. After months of vision therapy, I was re-tested. When the doctors entered the office to discuss my progress, they had tears in their eyes. The "visual field cut" that they said would always be there--was gone!  God had restored my vision completely.The next major obstacle was learning to walk again. I had been in a wheelchair for 6 months. With the help of my 2 volunteer therapists, and the 20 home therapy visits that insurance paid, I eventually graduated to a walker. It was now the beginning of the New Year, so my insurance benefits reset. I went into rehabilitation using a walker, and walked out two weeks later!  At one year after the accident, I flew to California to see a specialist--who helped me learn to run again--almost exactly one year after the accident.Now, at the 7 1/2 year mark, I am having what I hope will be the last of my reconstructive surgeries this month. I will have had close to 40 surgeries in all. I am thankful for every step and every surgical procedure. God has used the medical as well as the supernatural to bring my healing. For this, I am so grateful. He has carried me through each circumstance, and refined my faith in the process. Through each insurmountable diagnosis, God taught me that he could do exceedingly, abundantly above and beyond anything that I could ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). God has restored more to my life than just physical healing. I am humbled with the care he has taken to restore the years that have been lost; with my children, my health, my cognition and spiritual life. Physically, he has blessed me with full range of motion, the ability to drive, walk and work. I am able to keep up with my two beautiful, healthy daughters in second and third grade. I feel so blessed.

I would not trade the experiences I have had during the last seven and a half years for anything. I have seen The Lord do more than anyone could hope. He has defied every negative thing that has been spoken over me. He has showered me with blessings I do not deserve. I have experienced His grace in action. The Maker of heaven and earth has allowed me to experience His miracles and kindness. I know and trust His heart; He truly works all things together for the good of those who love Him.