Showered With Faith: 4 Powerful Lessons in Resilience and Gratitude Despite Adversity
In 1998, my life shifted in an instant. I was 23 years old when I was struck by a car as I crossed the street. The memory is clear—me lying curled up on the asphalt, gripping my leg and feeling a pain unlike anything I had ever known.
A doctor appeared seemingly out of nowhere and rushed to help. My right leg bore the worst of the accident, and I later learned how close I came to losing it. Just a few years earlier, before medical advances, I may have faced amputation. That knowledge gave me perspective, but fear still took hold. In the hospital, I braced myself for the possibility of more surgeries—maybe a third, maybe a fourth.
One day, I shared my fears with a nurse. She took my hand and prayed with me. At the time, it felt like a simple act of comfort. I didn’t realize then that this moment would become one of the most pivotal of my life.
The Slow Road to Healing
Recovery was slow and filled with challenges. I had lost my independence and moved in with my grandmother, who was terminally ill. My mother helped care for me as I relearned how to walk while also witnessing my grandmother’s gradual decline. My body and heart ached.
Finally, one day, I independently showered for the first time since the accident. Warm water cascaded over me. It may seem silly, but the tears came—this time, not from pain but from overwhelming gratitude.
That moment in the shower taught me some of life’s greatest lessons.
1. I Had Taken Too Much for Granted
Before the accident, I never gave a second thought to the simple acts of standing, walking, or even getting out of bed. I was on my feet all day working with children, running and exercising regularly, and living on the second floor where climbing stairs was part of my routine. I felt strong, healthy, and pain-free. But when those abilities were suddenly stripped away, I chose to confront just how much I had taken for granted. This was when my journey of gratitude truly began.
2. Learning to See the Gifts Around Me
Over time, these lessons deepened. Simple joys—like a warm bed, a cup of coffee, or a sunny window—held value and privilege, they were things I no longer took for granted. I began to see these moments not just as part of my routine, but as gifts, reminding me of the blessings in my life. I’m profoundly grateful to live in a place where I can worship freely, share my thoughts, and express my faith without fear. The music that lifts my spirit no longer felt like background noise, but held a source of peace and healing during times of adversity.
I also became more aware of how easy it is to overlook these simple blessings. It’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and take for granted the things we often overlook. I’ve come to realize that gratitude isn’t just a feeling but a practice—a conscious decision to acknowledge the gifts in my life, even in the midst of hardship.
3. I Couldn’t Change the Past, But I Could Choose My Focus
The accident brought a lot of loss and pain. I couldn’t work, I had to move, and I lost much of my independence. At the same time, I was watching my grandmother grow sicker by the day. I couldn’t rewrite that story, but I could decide how I would move forward. Gratitude became my anchor, shifting my focus from what I had lost to what I still had. The time I had with her before she passed is something I’ll never forget. I can see now that the accident became a blessing in many ways.
Life can be hard, but gratitude brings peace and hope, even in the toughest moments. Choosing it, especially for life’s smallest moments, is a practice that fuels hope and joy. The power of gratitude is transformative, especially when we choose to focus on what we have instead of what we lack. In times of adversity, it’s easy to forget the blessings we still hold. But when we stop and take the time to recognize them, they light a path through the darkness. If a person living through the horrors of the Holocaust could find beauty in a sunset (1), how can I not take notice of God’s creation and mercy all around me?
4. Sharing My Blessings Is A Resource & an Act of Love
As I’ve learned more about gratitude and the healing power it brings, I’ve come to realize that when I take the time to notice the blessings around me, whether big or small, it becomes clear that the gifts we receive in life are meant to be shared. This doesn’t just apply to tangible gifts or material possessions; it also extends to the intangible blessings—the compassion we offer, the encouragement we give, and the love we share. In our culture, we are often taught to independently strive for more—to accumulate wealth, achievements, and possessions. This makes the act of gratitude more challenging.
Have you felt like sharing can be challenging? Sometimes it feels like we have little to offer, especially when we are in the midst of personal struggles. I believe, that even in our brokenness, there is a power in sharing what we can. There’s a spiritual exchange that happens when we give, whether it’s a smile, a word of encouragement, or the gift of time. These small acts of kindness have a ripple effect, uplifting not only the person receiving but also ourselves. In moments of hardship, giving can be a source of unexpected healing for both the giver and the receiver.
In this way, gratitude becomes more than a feeling—it becomes a way of life. It’s an ongoing practice that connects us to one another and to something greater than ourselves. Sharing our blessings is an invitation to live out our faith in real, tangible ways, and it is through this sharing that we not only experience healing and growth, but also help others along their own journeys. And when we do, we become conduits of love, creating a cycle of blessing that continues to grow and flourish.
A Prayer, A Life Changed
To the nurse who prayed with me: I don’t know your name, and I can’t recall your face, but I wish I did—just so I could say, “Thank you.” You stepped into my life at a moment of fear and vulnerability, and as quickly as you appeared, you were gone. Yet, in that brief moment, you saw 
me, and your compassion saved me in more ways than one.
At the time, I felt only a faint presence of God’s love in my heart. But since then, I’ve learned to recognize His presence everywhere—in nature, in others, and even within myself.
I am forever grateful for that moment.
My Hope for You
Today, as I write this, my prayer is that my story inspires you to pause and notice the gifts in your life. Even in the busyness of your daily routine or the struggles you may be facing, take a moment to breathe and reflect. Look for His beauty, His love, and His faithfulness in the small and ordinary moments.
May you be showered with faith and gratitude, and may you share those gifts with others.
💛 If this story touched your heart, share it with someone who needs encouragement today. Finding gratitude together is better!
Additional Resources
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1.Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search For Meaning, Beacon Press, Massachusetts 1959-2006, pg.40.
Article by Michele Montenegro, MSW, LCSW