And the Winner is...

Congratulations to Deb Constien, who won a copy of The Case for Hope book by Lee Strobel in my recent giveaway! Thank you to all who participated by sharing my post with your friends on Facebook and Twitter, and for subscribing to Spring Sight. This was my first giveaway, but I have a few more in mind for 2017, so please continue to let people know about Spring Sight! As you know, this site exists for one sole purpose: to give hope to people who are hurting. 

As I sit here in my living room, looking at my lit Christmas tree, I am reminded of all the gifts I have received this year - love and laughter, hugs and kisses, sunny days and starry nights, cool breezes and warm fires. I truly believe that the best gifts in life are free. We receive some of them from family and friends, and some from the world around us.

So often, when we are diagnosed with a chronic illness, we may think we will no longer receive the gifts life has to offer. And yet, my few years with rheumatoid arthritis has taught me that's not true. Living with RA and my other chronic illnesses, I have learned that I now have other gifts to enjoy.


Today, I am enjoying the gift of mobility. Before RA, I took it for granted. But after an RA flare last year made it difficult to do, I now appreciate the ability to walk around my house. Every time I'm able to open a water bottle or use a can opener, I realize that's a gift too! And I appreciate my husband, who comes to my rescue on those times when I can't do all that I would like. His patient, loving kindness is a gift I might never have realized if I had not become so dependent upon it.

As I look back over this past year, there is so much to be grateful for. When I was struggling the most, I can see now how God carried me through. And as I have grown stronger and received His healing touch, I have been given more opportunities do the things I love, as well as to "give back" to others. I am still a long way from where I would like to be, but oh, how far I have come! It helps to put it all in perspective.

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season and that you are looking forward to the new year. If you need further encouragement, take a peek at the recent blog post I wrote for Pack Health, called "Don't Let Chronic Illness Steal the Joy of the Season." Be blessed!

Do you recognize some of the unique gifts you've been given this past year? Please share them in the comments below

And the Winner is... originally appeared on Spring Sight blog, by Linda W. Perkins. Click here for more posts. Get even more encouragement by following me on Facebook and Twitter. 

Many of Spring Sight's posts can also be found each week on Crystal Storms' Thoughtful Thursday,  Kelly Balarie's #RaRaLinkUp, Holly Barrett's Testimony Tuesday, Holley Gerth's Coffee for Your Heart, and Woman to Woman's Word Filled Wednesday. I also link up often with Jennifer Dukes Lee and Dawn at Journeys in Grace, as well as with Lori Schumaker.

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