Chronic Illness

  • "Life" Books,  Chronic Illness,  Grief,  Jesus,  Let's be Real,  Migraines,  Pass it On...

    All You had to do was Ask

    “God kept me close and gave me space all at the same time: to ask the questions, to express my anger, to tell him I didn’t understand. He didn’t, and doesn’t, hold it against me or use it to manipulate me into belief. God used this horrific, awful, inexcusable thing that happened to me to replace my shallow faith with one that could, and did, persist through anything. It doesn’t mean the pain hurts less, or that my disability doesn’t still affect my life every single day. It doesn’t even mean the PTSD and the anxiety and fear come any less often. It does mean when those things come and…

  • "Life" Books,  Children,  Chronic Illness,  Consider This...,  Pass it On...

    There Is No Choice

    Warning: *It is August and there are already children having to be hospitalized for RSV, pneumonia, and other respiratory illness. This is not their fault, rather it is the wider community that surrounds them that needs to be held accountable! Yes, I am slightly perturbed at the “adults” in this world at the moment.* Personally, I know two children who have been hospitalized with pneumonia in the past month. Their stays were short compared to some, because of their parents being acutely aware of their health and taking quick action. Never hesitate when a child is involved! As the above quote hits the nail on the head for people who…

  • "Life" Books,  Chronic Illness,  Let's be Real,  Migraines

    Migraine.

    I am constantly torn between: “I can’t let this illness ruin my life” and “I have to listen to my body and rest.” I recently was scrolling through Pinterest and came across this quote. I love collecting quotes, they are excellent reminders that we all are in this together- past, present, and future- we all contribute something! June is Migraine Awareness Month. And the above quote hits so close to home that it brings me to tears. Two quotes that came underneath as “suggested”: “Never get a chronic illness. It’s really inconvenient for other people.” “‘But you did it yesterday.’ Yes, and today I can’t move.” All three of these…

  • "Life" Books,  Chronic Illness,  Let's be Real

    Oh my Soul, It is Well!

    It is well, it is well, with my soul.  The story of this hymn is one of heartbreak, deep grief, and great loss. Mr. Spafford wrote these words while grieving the loss of four his daughters in a shipwreck. “Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is Well!”  I’ve never known life outside of living with chronic illness, just a fact. Diagnosed at four months, but I am sure my parents would agree asthma and reflux were with me from the start! Another fact is that the words “heal” and “cure” have always been words I associate with Heaven, not earth. It is just one of the…

  • "Life" Books,  Chronic Illness,  Family,  Jesus

    Life Markers

    “You normally have to be bashed about a bit by life to see the point of daffodils, sunsets and uneventful nice days.” Alain de Botton Oh how I love this quote I discovered recently! Not until life is interrupted do we slow down to appreciate the lilies of the field and the birds of the air… I have mentioned in previous posts that by nature I am an avid documenter, on the edge of being an information hoarder! 😂 Truly! I love to keep articles on news, places I’d like to visit or places I have gone and want to go back to- it’s a issue I am learning to…

  • "Life" Books,  Chronic Illness,  Grief,  Jesus,  Let's be Real

    Enough.

    Have you ever had the thought, “what else?” or “how much more?” Responsibilities, health, to do list, etc. You are spreading yourself thin and then all the sudden it’s as if your body screams, “ENOUGH! Stop! I can’t carry you around one more minute unless you slow down and rest!” If you HAVE been in this place, I hope this post gives you hope from someone in the enough-stop-rest place at this very moment. January is both a joyous and emotional hard month for my soul. So many memories of new beginnings and firsts for me as a Mommy and welcoming my Lucy. And also welcoming many beginnings of new…

  • "Life" Books,  Chronic Illness,  Family,  Friends & Neighbors,  Jesus,  Migraines,  Pass it On...

    You are Loved.

    Eighteen days into 2024… And what a year it has already been! Maybe your beginning of the year hasn’t been eventful, or maybe be it has been very eventful, even milestone marking eventful! I know a brave little girl who has made tremendous literal steps in her journey this new year, and I am over the moon for her and her family – many prayers spent on knees, tears, hard perseverance and truly leaning hard on Jesus has brought them this far and HE will continue to supply and sustain, I truly believe!!! New life has come. And some have gone. Good news has been reported. And tough news has…

  • "Life" Books,  Chronic Illness,  Jesus

    Choosing to See

    “Raise me again to health with a heightened sense of thankfulness for the unmerited gift of well-being…” Every Moment Holy, “Liturgy for a Sick Day” Every morning I receive a “Liturgy of the Day” from the Every Moment Holy App on my phone. The above liturgy came this morning. I woke up with a migraine – I believe in God’s Faithfulness. You can make your own judgements, but I stand by my belief. A couple weeks ago I took a much needed “brain pause.” A few things led to this pause: summer weather rubbing me wrong- not my greatest health season- which makes life challenging at times, longing for Lucy…

  • "Life" Books,  Adoption,  Being "Single",  Chronic Illness,  Friends & Neighbors,  GRANDparents,  Mommy,  My Little,  Single Parenting

    What does it mean to leave home?

    Let’s start today with a question: What does it mean for someone to “leave home?” I really want you to take time and think about this one. Think about what defines leaving home physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, financially, relationships and so on. Think, think, think, as Pooh Bear would say, before continuing. Why in the world would I bringing this to your attention today? First, I have overheard some comments made recently about adult children living with their parents. Second, I happen to be an adult daughter living with my parents. (which I will address the word “child” being used after adult, below) Third, I had to do some real…

  • "Life" Books,  Chronic Illness,  Grief,  Jesus,  Let's be Real

    Lemons… Curveball… And the Wringer…

    When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. When life throws you a curveball, hit it out of the park. When life puts you through the wringer… Have you had enough of this one liners yet? I have! Someone once said, “I’m not a rainbow shooter,” meaning that they were not going to be making things pretty for the sake of the feelings and emotions of themselves and others. Shooting rainbows is exhausting, and cannot be a long-term reality. We need to leave the rainbows up to God and remember why he places them in the sky. As a reminder of a very faithful promise to Noah and his family. (this…