Whether a hymn, an old pop song, or a movie theme song, my husband can whistle a beautiful melody anytime, anywhere. During weekly family worship with our son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren—because of his poor eyesight and the small font in the hymnbook—James simply closes his eyes and whistles to join our son’s guitar accompaniment. Even when he has never heard a song before, he can often listen and match the tune.

For many years, I envied James, who taught himself to play the harmonica and to whistle. He could make music with his heart, ears, and mouth. I, however, had never been able to whistle, even though I had learned the pipa (one of the most popular Chinese instruments), the piano, and vocal music. The only sound I could make was a whirring.

Then I became ill, and everything began to change. For several months, I experienced severe pain in my lower and middle back, which led to muscle spasms in my chest and ribcage. Getting in and out of bed was excruciatingly painful. I also had difficulty breathing, a rapid heartbeat, and poor quality of sleep. I felt my entire body was failing.

During this period, James took me for visits to my family doctor, orthopedic doctor, and cardiologist, and for physical therapy and various tests and scans. He maintained his responsibilities leading Bible studies and preaching, while also doing all the housework. I knew I was burdening him, and worried that he might get tired and fall ill. Sometimes I felt very sad and disappointed because of our situation. We had recently moved and reunited with our son and family—and now I was sick! Sometimes I felt resentful. I didn’t want to lose my health! I wanted the chance to see my grandchildren grow up.

But James took care of me without complaint. When I was depressed and felt useless, he would ask me: “Now, if I were sick, would I need to seek your forgiveness?” He also reminded me of our retirement and interstate move, pointing out how smooth the transition was—all by God’s grace and timing. “Think about it; if we were still living in California and you got seriously ill, would you want to move then? Would our son, daughter-in-law, and grandkids be able to come visit you often?” he asked.

I decided to see another orthopedic doctor who specialized in pain management. With one look at the ordinary brace I was wearing, he immediately prescribed a special spinal support brace to protect my spine and help me heal. He explained how my excruciating muscle pain and cramps were the result of spinal compression fractures. “Every muscle is working extremely hard to compensate for your spine,” he explained. That reminded me of what the Bible taught about the body of Christ. “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ… Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many...As it is, there are many parts, but one body...If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:12–27).

With support from the brace, I stopped physical therapy and just let my spine heal. Today, with God’s help, day by day, I am recovering peace. I read scripture, pray, and enjoy the presence of our Lord Jesus. When I get tired, I go to bed. If I can’t sleep, I take deep breaths and recite scriptures. When I wake up, I listen to hymns or Bible readings, and walk slowly. This is how I realize the Lord’s good will. His grace is sufficient for me, and it is “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23).

My days consist of sleeping, eating, receiving treatment, slowly pushing my walker back and forth, and doing simple therapy exercises. When I look at my husband James, doing housework step by step with ease, and hear him whistling while he works, I feel relieved. Yes, things are tough for us right now, but I am grateful to be alive, grateful for my family, my health, and everything I have. And if the Lord is willing, I want to live—and to live well.

One day I was explaining to my son that I couldn’t whistle, only whir. To show that I really didn’t know how, without thinking, I pursed my lips and unexpectedly made a sound. It was incredible! I continued to practice and in our next family worship, I surprised everyone by whistling a simple children’s song. Even though it was not tuned well, my grandchildren could still guess what song it was. After a few days, I started to whistle the tune to the hymn “Count Your Blessings” while recalling the lyrics.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your blessings, see what God has done;

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

Today, I am still wearing the special back brace to protect and help my spine to heal, and I receive physical therapy home visits to strengthen my muscles. The get well wishes, prayers, and kindness of Christian friends have meant so much during this time of suffering. And every day I whistle the song “Count Your Blessings” because it reminds me to be thankful for the many ways God blesses my life.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

After I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis, a treatment plan was designed. As of this writing, I have received five monthly injections out of 12. The Lord has been healing my compression fractures by building new bones and strengthening my muscles through these injections. I also have weekly physical therapy and follow a daily nutritional plan to supply calcium, vitamin D, and protein needed for recovery. I have learned to be still before God, to let Him control my life, to accept my disability, and to welcome help and care from others. I am grateful to live close to our son, daughter-in-law, and grandkids.

And I’m especially thankful to have James taking care of me. One day, I woke up from a nap and called for help. As James was putting the spinal brace on me, he asked, “Did you sleep well?”

I replied, “I slept very well. I slept through 10 chapters of the Book of Daniel.”

James laughed: “Oh, I didn’t know you were measuring your sleep by chapters now.”

I said seriously: “Not only that, I also measure my life by chapters.”

By trusting in God and living in Christ, we have learned to accept what comes our way when another precious chapter is added to our lives. May 2, 2024 was the one-year anniversary of my sudden pain, and I did not wear my brace for the entire day!

In God’s providence, there is always a path of grace through every situation. King David speaks my mind: “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you” (Psalm 139:16–18).

Winnis Chiang, founder of Parenting ABC, is a retired licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). She is passionate about helping Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking parents get along with, enjoy, and positively influence their American-born children.