Hi. Ow.

Hey Bruise, you’re looking good today

If the last name of the Mission: Impossible star and first name of the main shark in Finding Nemo had a booboo, it’s name would be…

(Quinn, why you askin’ this? It’s  IN the post title)

BRUISE. Lol.

You got it. That lovely little art palette on my right knee cap. Gross.

Yes, gross. Also, it makes me thankful every time I look at it.

See, that bruise is a physical representation of God’s faithfulness in my life, particularly in the last couple of weeks.

I’ve been having some annoying health issues that feel a lot like spiritual warfare. They peaked in the form of a scary dizzy spell at school the other day. It was pretty terrifying. I can’t decide what the worst part was: that I didn’t know what was causing it, or that I didn’t know when it would end. All I knew is that I wanted it to stop, that I wanted to have my normal mind and balance.

Long story a bit shorter, a kind security officer took me to the on-campus nurse, who tested me for several hours. By God’s grace, they didn’t find anything super shocking or nerve-wracking.

When it was all over, the nurse receptionist guy asked, “Are you sure you’ll be able to walk back?” (Since a security officer had brought me over, due to the unexpected dizziness.)

I said, “I don’t know.” And I didn’t.

In this season, I’m often reminded that I just don’t have all the answers.

But one answer I do have is that God’s character is unchanging. His actions will always, 100%, yep, to infinity and beyond, eternally be in line with the never-changing God of the Bible.

So, I knew that God was capable of healing me. I didn’t know if He would, but I knew that He could.

And, guess what? I was able to walk back on my own.

That was SUCH a relief, such a gift from God!

But it doesn’t always end like that. In fact, that (annoyingly) wasn’t the end of the feelings of uncertainty. The what-if’s quickly started popping up. One of the biggest was, “What if it happens at dance company on Friday?”

…

At the beginning of this semester, I auditioned for the university dance company. By God’s grace, I made it in and started rehearsing for the spring performance. I’ve really enjoyed it so far; especially making new friends and being able to have a physical, artistic outlet.

Before I had the major dizzy spell last week, I’d been having some anxiety paired with what I descriptively call the “instability thing.”

So, at dance two weeks ago, I was worried the “instability thing” might happen.

What if it happens? What if I get really anxious and need to sit down? What if–

And God reminded me to pray. And to implore a team of prayer warriors in my life to do the same.

So, in the cloudy midst of the what-ifs, I sent out a few pretty desperate prayer requests. I knew God could 100% heal me, but, again, I didn’t know if He would.

The Bible says in 1 Peter 3:15 that Christians should be able to give an answer for our hope.

That brings to mind a metaphorical baggie full of sticky notes of ways God has shown Himself/His faithfulness in my life.

Yes, there are historical accounts. Yes, there is God’s Word. And those are both super important. But having personal testimonies (your first-hand experience accounts) is important, too.

And I just added a couple sticky notes to the bag.

Because, by God’s grace and mighty power, two weeks ago I was able to dance with joy and peace.

What.a.blessing. What an answer to prayer. (BIG thanks to my prayer warrior pals for battling on my behalf.)

That was two weeks ago. After having the dizzy spell last week, though, I didn’t know if I’d be able to make it through dance. Yuck. More what-ifs? Really?

After all that God had done for me the week before? Now I was nervous about it happening again?

So the what-ifs came again. URG. Staaaaahp.

But, thankfully, so did God.

Once again, God came and showed His power and graciousness.

This past week of dance was an absolute blast. No anxiety. I sweat a lot, and I loved it.

And I have the bruise to show for it.

ALL BECAUSE OF JESUS.

(If you read that and genuinely thought those previous two sentences meant I was mad at God for bruising my knee…please just…no. That’s not what I’m going for here. The opposite actually.)

…

As I walked to my car after rehearsal, I felt it. There, in the street lamp-lit street.

I felt fought for.

I had been defended by my Father, the King. And it felt SO good.

And I am SO thankful.

So, when I look at this nasty bruise on my leg…yes, it hurts. But I’m SO thankful I have a bruise. Because that bruise means I was able to dance. And I couldn’t have done that without God.

He is so good.

…

I have a sweet friend who has a life-changing disease. I want to protect her privacy, so I won’t share too much, but I really can’t imagine how hard it would be to wake up and not be able to get out of bed, or to try to study for a test but have your brain fail you.

Let’s pray for her, and for others who have the disease she has.

Let’s also be SUPER THANKFUL for what we have. After my dizzy spell and the anxiety I sometimes felt on campus after that, I became so thankful for the “little” gift of being able to walk to my car from class without being dizzy.

A dear sister in Christ texted me the other day, sharing about a message on thankfulness that she recently heard. She said,

I started thinking about what if we wrote a thank you note to God about every little thing?? How many thank you’s we’d have to write!!!

Love her humble enthusiasm. Amen, sister.

What’s something you take for granted, and how can you stop taking that for granted?

Is there a bruised blessing in disguise that could be your motivation for some Jesus-gratitude?

What’s your TY note for today? #mytestimony