I am looking at this picture today for inspiration on how to face new challenges with grace and to find joy in the journey. I wrote a blog about this picture a little over a year ago as I faced surgery to remove tumors from my upper leg and upper arm. Here is a link to that post https://juliesnotdyingtoday.com/faith-to-take-the-next-step/ . At the end of that blog post, I was hoping the girl in this painting could teach me.
New Physical Challenges
I am experiencing new physical challenges. I returned home from the hospital Saturday night. After a year of pain down my left leg and foot drop, suddenly, the pain increased in intensity and moved to my right side. I now have foot drop in both feet. Friday, I could not walk at all with my walker or even stand. After a visit to the hospital, I am home now with better pain management, braces on both feet, and I keep my shoes and braces on at all times so that I can stand and walk with my walker when needed. I am using my scooter more. With both feet not working, I have lost the ability to drive. I am more disabled and I am grieving the loss of my legs and my independence.
Joy in the Journey
The artist who painted this picture, Salvador Alvarez, called this painting, “joy in the journey.” Here is a link to his website https://salvadoralvarez.com/. In the 1830s and 40s early pioneers in my faith faced terrible trials and challenges. They were driven out of their homes again and again and traveled, trekked, walked, and sometimes crawled to find a place where they could freely worship God according to their faith. Their homes were burned, their temple burned, they were beaten, and many died in the harsh winter weather as they walked with not enough food or clothing.
There are many paintings of pioneers suffering and dying, but there are journal accounts of families singing together and enjoying themselves despite the terrible suffering. Salvador Alvarez wanted to paint the joy. I love this picture of a pioneer girl walking briskly, head held high, braids swinging. She is confident. I know the suffering of the journey she is travelling.
Come, Come, Ye Saints
We sing a hymn now that was written by our early pioneers as they trekked. The lyrics to Come, Come Ye Saints have new meaning to me as I face my current challenges. Some of those lyrics that resonate to me now are:
Come, come, ye saints, no toil nor labor fear; But with joy wend your way.
Though hard to you this journey may appear, Grace shall be as your day.
Gird up your loins; fresh courage take. Our God will never us forsake.
And should we die before our journey’s through, Happy day! All is well.
We then are free from toil and sorrow, too; with the just we shall dwell!
But if our lives are spared again to see the Saints their rest obtain,
Oh, how we’ll make this chorus swell, All is well! All is well!
Here is a link to this song. You can listen to it and read the lyrics. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/music/library/hymns/come-come-ye-saints?lang=eng&_r=1
My 2020 New Years Resolutions
Seeing this girl’s confidence inspires me. I want to face my new challenges with confidence. I will continue to look for joy while allowing myself time to grieve my losses when they occur. Here are my new years resolutions for 2020:
1. I want to have the courage to find joy in my journey everyday.
2. I want to find the confidence needed to face whatever obstacle comes.
I want to journey on like this pioneer girl, with a briskness in my step (or with my scooter!). Like her, I want to journey on with confidence. She is my example, my mentor, my inspiration.
Quotes on Courage
Here are some quotes on courage.
Courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on when you don’t have the strength. Theodore Roosevelt
Believe in yourself and all that you are, know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle. Christian D Larson
No One Journeys alone
I hope that with my blog posts you don’t think I am presenting myself as an expert teaching my readers to have courage. In all of my posts, I feel like I am learning, struggling, searching for myself so that I can live with stage 4 cancer. Writing helps me figure out how to do it. We all face trials and challenges and we all need each other. No one journeys alone. I hope my writing helps others with their own trials. Maybe we can inspire each other. Thanks for reading.
Fred says
Julie I am sorry you are having to deal with these challenges. You are an inspiration.
Julie Shill says
Thanks Fred! One day at a time.
JaneAnn Jones says
You are loved very much by all who know you and pray for you. Praying for miracles always. Love, JaneAnn
Julie Shill says
Thank you Jane Ann! I appreciate your prayers very much. I am alive today because of them!
Loyd says
You are such an inspiration to me and to many others. Our amazement in seeing you overcome, or deal with, the serious challenges you face, and your attitude of faith, helps us more easily face our challenges with faith.