"Optimism is a form of healing."

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."  Philippians 4:8

I recently watched the Diane Sawyer interview with Gabby Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly.  Gabby Giffords is the Congresswoman who was the victim of a shooting that happened at one of her political meet-and-greet stops in front of a grocery store on January 8 of this year.  Six people died, but she survived a gunshot wound to the brain.
  
As her sweet husband described, if the bullet would have been a centimeter higher, lower, or too the right or left, she would have been dead.  But that was not in God's plan.  Instead, God spared her life and has provided her with amazing doctors, therapists, family and friends, and an incredibly loyal husband.  

I found myself hanging on every word Mark spoke, finding encouragement in his positive outlook.  This is a man who at this time last year had a perfectly healthy wife, but who now has to help her finish sentences.  He was at her side from day one, serving her by helping her stay positive and hopeful.  He taped her progress and the footage is shown in the interview.  One of the videos shows Gabby laying in her hospital bed with a distant gaze and scars on her head.  Mark asks her to give him a thumbs up, but she points her index finger instead.  He laughs and casually teases her about pointing the wrong finger to make light of the error so she won't get discouraged.  

He said he put a sign above her door for visitors that said, "No crying."  Although he could have been obsessed with how Gabby's injury would affect his life and the future he had planned, he took a deep breath every day and decided to be strong for her.  This quote hit me deeply and still resonates when I feel like I can't go on, he said, "Optimism is a form of healing.  Hope is a form of love."

I've heard it said that when you commit to serve your spouse in marriage, you actually grow in love for them.  It's the way God designed it.  Serve them unselfishly with love and joy, and you will be rewarded with a deep, long-lasting love for them.  I have found that to be true.  Laying down my plans and serving my husband in his illness has bonded us to one another in such a profound way.  I would not have asked to walk this road, but I am thankful God has given me the strength to take one step at a time.  I often stumble over negativity and hopelessness, but the Holy Spirit urges me to get up and press on.  His grace enables me to do so.

As Gabby was interviewed, Mark just stared at her with love.  You can tell he admires her strength and determination.  She is far from what she once was, only able to speak in short sentences and often having to rely on facial expressions and sounds to communicate.  But I have no doubt she will recover because she has a partner who supports and encourages her daily to keep going.

May I be that for my husband.  May we all be that kind of friend, spouse, family member to the ones God puts in our lives to serve unselfishly.