It has now been 9 months since Guillain Barre Syndrome wreaked havoc on my body which I am still slowly but surely recovering from each day. I still struggle with fatigue and lack of stamina and often go through my day feeling light headed and a bit unsteady on my feet. There are many things I am learning as I deal with this new normal physically, mentally, and spiritually. The one sweet aspect that has been so special is constantly being told that my attitude throughout this significant health challenge has been an encouragement to others. The following are just a few comments I received over the Thanksgiving holiday.
As PTs this is the best part of our job that really makes everything worth it ❤️ It has been so special to be a part of your journey… not everyone battles so courageously.
“One of the highest of human duties is the duty of encouragement. … It is easy to laugh at man’s ideals. It is easy to pour cold water on the enthusiasm. It is easy to discourage others. The world is full of discouragers. We have a Christian duty to encourage one another. Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet. You have been this for me.
——LOVE this! So true and so applicable to anyone’s journey! you are so right the world is full of discourages and the older we get the duller those dreams get as ppl battle with the hardships of life. It is our job to encourage others. Such a beautiful message Thankyou for reminding the world ❤️
Grateful For all that u have shown and inspired in me! Love you like a brother!
Happy Thanksgiving Mike, to you and your family. Your perseverance and trust in God was very inspirational to many, including my son and me. So happy for you as your full recovery continues. God Bless you.
Thank you Michael. I really enjoyed reading all about your journey after GBS and am grateful for you sharing it and for reaching out to others to provide hope. A truly inspiring story.
Awe, Mike, it was my pleasure to lift you up to the Most High God and I praise Him for the healing he has brought to you ???? Happy Thanksgiving to you, Dottie and your beautiful family
We’re all made better by having you in our lives Michael! Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂
and even from a Va Tech fan 🙂 I’ve always admired how you always find the positive with your recovery. Happy thanksgiving MRG and everyone else. And go Hokies ?
If you visit my Caring Bridge site https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/michaelguthrie or my Facebook page, there are so many uplifting words for me but also folks sharing how I have offered them hope in their own lives. This has become an unexpected blessing (silver lining) and yes a glimmer of light in what has been a pretty dark time in my life.
As we ponder the Wonder of God’s love over this advent season, remember a candle is lit each Sunday to remind us “unto us a Child was born” who brings us hope. I have experienced Hebrews 11:1 personally which says, ” Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” I am honored that God has used me to offer hope to others who are struggling in one way or another. I hope this blog post will encourage you to be a candle in the darkness. So many folks have made a difference in our lives. I can assure you that choosing to trust God and finding ways to encourage others can make a positive difference in someone else’s life. Why, because no matter how small the light provided by your candle, it will always defeat the darkness around it.
Heaven’s light is Jesus in our lives, and His Holy Spirit living through brothers and sisters. Thank you, Michael. As if these roles were not enough, you are more than a mentor, teacher, and broker to so many of us. In classes the past days, countless remarks from associates in other firms made the same comment: He is one of a kind. Truly inspirational. The best boss I ever had. Fair. A good listener. Awesome teacher. And when you share your family stories and foibles, much humility rushes on toward the happy endings of your myriad life stories. Well done, good & faithful, one. Keep the lights on in your houses. It reminds me to want to be better each day.
You have been such an encouragement Becky. I am blessed to have you in my life both personally and professionally.
Thanks for writing, Mike. Because we have known each other for 40 or more years, reading what you have to say is like sitting with you at your kitchen table, family room…like we are talking over how YL club went last week or how many leaders we will have for this fall…. Now, all these years later, we more fully see that all that we do in life is ministry for the sake of our Lord, even GBS (or the umbilical hernia I had repaired a couple weeks ago). He weaves all into His mission of reconciling humanity back to Himself, and all His children to one another. God bless you, Rick
You are the best my friend. Thanks for thoughts.