The New Testament instructs us to encourage one another
Encourage one another daily....
Encourage one another and build each other up...
Strengthen and encourage you in your faith...
I was so grateful yesterday thinking about so many loving friends and family. And I am very encouraged to have talked with two women who have walked the journey I am on. There's a different kind of lift from someone who knows as an insider what your process and pain is. And there's peace in grasping the reality of a situation.
Thank you Juli for helping me accept reality, since you've been living with this Rheumatoid Arthritis disease for 15 years. Thank you for the tips about exercising whatever doesn't hurt each day, for pushing to but never into the pain, for letting whatever joint is acting up rest until it subsides, for the Tylenol bedtime tip, for the attitude check, and for the hope that I will be functional in time, even if it's the end of 2012.
Thank you Ken for talking with Greg, since you've cared for your wife in various capacities for what, 10-15 years with her serious arthritis disease? Thank you for helping him understand that we're on a long road, and it's ok.
Thank you Marcia for confirming that I'm not crazy by telling me this blog is your story too. For assuring me the pain is accurately described. I have felt like such a whiner!
Thank you John Stumbo for telling me not to let this illness define me, because it's not what or who I am.
Thank You Father for knowing all about this, numbering my days, always being with me, and having enough of your unmerited favor to help me live each day well. I can't sit around and wait for my life to reappear. This IS my life.
"i can't sit around waiting for my life to reappear. this IS my life." barb, that statement really grabbed me. what a beautiful place of acceptance. i am seeing more and more how much additional struggle we add to our lives, when we refuse to accept the places, positions and conditions we are assigned. acceptance doesn't mean resignation, but it denotes less fighting against and more moving with...which i think makes us more readily available to journey with Him. you are an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI so agree. With less struggle comes great peace and opens the door for joy IN the midst of the trial. And places us in a position to receive Gods blessings and surprises TODAY, because I'm not focusing on a wished for tomorrow. At the same time, I can still "hope for" the blessings of health, leaving it fully in The Lord's hands! Ahhhhh. It's a place of great rest! Thanks my friend.
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