A lot has changed in my life during the past ten years, yet it hasn't been the type of changes a senior in high school hopes for or plans. I'm not married. I don't have any children or a house of my own. I'm not a successful nurse or a physical therapist. I don't have money to spare. So what's changed? In one word - me.
I didn't ask to get sick, but I'm thankful it happened. As odd as this may sound, next to Christ, lupus has been the greatest teacher I've ever had. It's taught me to never take life for granted because you never know when it will end. Lupus has taught me to cherish people and not things, because people are the ones who laugh with you when you're happy and cry with you when you're sad. Lupus has taught me to find joy in the small things: a rainbow, a flower, the sound of a child laughing. Lupus has taught me that God is in control and not me, which is why I should stop trying to be in control of every situation life throws my way. Lupus has taught me I'm beautiful just the way God made me, so there's no need to make myself into who the world tells me I ought to be. Lupus has taught me God has a plan for my life, and He'll even use the painful times in my life for good. Lupus has taught me God loves me in such an amazing, huge way that I'll never be able to fully comprehend the depth of His love. Lupus has taught me I can trust God, and He is worthy of that trust.