When It is Tempting to Quit We Need Jesus More Than Ever

I was using a saltshaker when I first noticed that the right side of my body was staging a mutiny. Inexplicably, my hand had forgotten how to move up and down. Other everyday activities became difficult. Brushing my teeth was a challenge. Playing piano was impossible and typing was clumsy. And then there were these weird, involuntary tremors on my right side. What was going on here?

After a batch of expensive tests, the doctors couldn’t — and still don’t — agree. While they are scratching their heads, the elders anointed me and prayed for my healing — twice — and I am trying everything in my power while the problem persists.

Like Paul, I have asked the Lord that this “thorn in my flesh” be taken from me. As He told Paul, He has answered me, “My grace is sufficient for you.”

Humph! Hardly the answer I want to hear!

Here is where the rubber meets the road for every leader and me:  Who is REALLY in control of my life, ministry, and gifts? And who is in charge of yours?

It is when we are are painfully and continually poked by thorns in the flesh that our determination to be obedient to God’s call is tested and displayed. When we have an uncooperative person on our ministry board tying every meeting into knots; when no one will watch the nursery; when we are criticized for bringing less-than-desirable people into the church; when our budget is stymied by the shortsighted; when we can’t get anything done because we’ve lost control, it is tempting — oh, so tempting! — to yank out the thorn and quit.

But if we are called to a task, we are called to it, regardless of who or what stands in the way — even if it is our own physical limitations.

“My grace is sufficient” — It’s a lovely piece of prose, but it’s meaning is so large that it is a slippery life preserver for the desperate.

However, here’s a handle I’ve found through my own storm:

A can-do attitude is a wonderful thing. But it also masks arrogance, especially when the battle we are fighting is a spiritual one and we are more proficient with our natural talents.

• Spiritual battles require much different weapons, leadership, attitudes, vision, talents, and gifts.
• Spiritual confrontation requires practice but you won’t get it if you are relying on your own natural talent.

When the Lord gives us as leaders a thorn in the flesh, He is reminding us that we are to develop spiritual weaponry skill by knowledge of and connection to Him. He’s made it a little easier for us to do this because we not only won’t rely on our unreliable selves, we no longer can.

In the midst of the hopeless, drowning feeling associated with loss, we have His promise: His grace — or Divine endorsement — will make up for our personal deficits.

And that’s a handle we can all hang on to no matter what our limitations may be.

Rebekah Montgomery, author/speaker/teacher, is a gifted, dynamic communicator. She is the author of more than five books and has penned 1,100 articles. She shares tough real-life topics and biblical application in a simple easy to grasp manner. To book Rebekah for your next event visit www.rebekahmontgomery.com. Rebekah is also the editor of Right to the Heart of Women and a publisher at Jubilant Press.© Rebekah Montgomery 2009.

The Grinch & 2 Spa Prizes Next Week

It’s that time of the year again when we share our annual Grinch story! Only this year we want to hear a few sentences from you too!

Just post a couple Seuss-style sentences below in the common section that have anything to do with the holidays, illness, etc. and we will take pick our two favorites next week and send you a little spa just as our treat!

Feeling Grinchy?

Every person around
The country it seemed
Liked Christmas a lot…
All was joy, red and green.
But the Grinch,
Who lived with illness,
And had a heart of the blues,
Did not like Christmas!
The Grinch dreaded Christmas!
The whole Christmas season!
So much to do, so little energy,
there were all kinds of reasons.

It could be said that the medicines
were making her mind feel like putty,
She went shopping at last,
and forgot why she had gone—how nutty.
But we think that the most likely reason of all,
May have been that her heart was hurting,
trying to find her place in it all.

But, whatever the reason,
Her heart or her head,
She laid there on Christmas morning,
with a feeling of dread.
Staring up at the ceiling from the bed, feeling very down,
She wondered how to make it through this day,
without even the hint of a frown.
For she knew every friend and family member around,
Would be arriving soon,
ready to open the gifts and paint the town.
“I just want to feel decent!” she snarled with a sneer.
“Today is Christmas! It’s actually here!”
Then she growled, with her Grinch fingers nervously drumming,
“I must find a way to keep the pain from coming!”

For, later she knew…
…All the relatives would arrive
They would bring with them her nieces and nephews who would make a
mess
and tons of noise.
They’d rush for their toys!
And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the noise!
Noise! Noise! Noise!
That’s one thing she hated!
The NOISE! NOISE! NOISE! NOISE!
Then the family, young and old,
would sit down to a feast.
And they’d feast! And they’d feast!
And they’d FEAST! FEAST! FEAST! FEAST!
They would start on pudding, and rare roast beef,
With her irritable bowel,
the Grinch couldn’t eat these in the least!

And then they’d do something she liked least of all!
Every family member, the tall and the small,
Would stand close together, and say, “You look so great!”
They’d all tell her she needed to get back to work,
Stop lazing around in her pajamas so late!
They’d talk! And they’d advise.
And they’d think they were so wise.
And the more the Grinch thought of the Christmas-Nice
The more the Grinch thought,
“I must stop this whole thing!
“Why for over five years I’ve put up with it now!
I must either deal with it or convince them somehow!”
…But HOW?”
Then she got an idea!
An awful idea!
The Grinch got a wonderful awful idea!

“I know just what to do!”
The Grinch laughed in her throat.
And she made a quick run to the closet
for her lounging coat.
And she chuckled, and clucked,
“What a great Grinchy trick!
“With this robe and my slippers,
I’ll look just like I’m sick!”
“All I need is a sniffle, a cough, maybe a cane…”
The Grinch looked around.
But since canes are scarce, there was none to be found.
Did that stop the old Grinch…?
No! The Grinch simply said,
“If I can’t find a cane, I’ll just look sick instead!”
So she got out her pale makeup
and tried not to use anything pink,
She made sure the circles under her eyes,
were not covered up, but seen.

Then she threw on some sweats
And put her hair up in a twist
It didn’t look fancy,
It looked like you do when you’re sick.
Then the Grinch said, “I’m ready”
They can start to arrive,
I’ll be nice to everyone,
But I’m not going to lie.”
The family members arrived
and saw the Grinch arrive at the door.
“What’s happened to her?” They whispered and more.
The Grinch said, “Hello, come in, how are you?”
And when they asked her she just said, “Today’s not a good day.
It may be Christmas but I still feel a droop.”

Then little Cindy-Lou arrived
dragging her noisy toy behind her.
This was more than the Grinch could take!
She couldn’t allow that noise to batter.
The Grinch reached out and took the toy,
“let me have that, hon..”
She stared up at the Grinch as asked,
“Auntie, why are you taking away my toy? Why?”

But, you know, that old Grinch was so smart and so slick
She thought up a lie, and she thought it up quick!
“Why, my sweet little tot,” the Grinch lied,
“There’s a better one under the tree,
we have even more to surprise!
“So I’m taking this one away for now, my dear.
“I’ll put it away for now, and later, bring it back here.”
And her fib fooled the child. Then she patted her head
And sent her to the tree to open up a quiet puzzle instead.

The Grinch thought she had it all figured out,
At least people understood. There was no more doubt.
She expected to hear people talking about her,
In the kitchen they surely must all be worrying about.
“That’s a noise,” grinned the Grinch,
“That I simply must hear!”
So she paused. And the Grinch put a hand to her ear.
And she did hear a sound rising through the wall,
It was joy and fun, at first it wasn’t concern at all!
The sound wasn’t sad!
Why, this sound sounded merry!
It couldn’t be so!
But it WAS merry! VERY!

She stared into the kitchen,
The Grinch popped her eyes!
Then she shook!
What she saw was a shocking surprise!
Cindy Lou sat in her mom’s lap and said,
“What’s wrong with Auntie?”
Her mom told her quietly, “She’s a very special lady.
When we visit her, she often tries to look nice,
But she still hurts inside,
She just acts like she’s fine.”
“I love Auntie, I don’t want her to hurt,” said Cindy Lou.
“I know,” said her mom, “We love her too.”

Family members were still having a great time,
They weren’t worried about her,
or even of her appearance surprised.
She hadn’t made them concerned,
because they already were,
She just didn’t know
that they didn’t know what to say to her.
And the Grinch, with her Grinch-feet ice-cold on the floor,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: “How could I be adored?
I look so awful, I’m in such a bad mood.
I’ve been such a fake hostess, I even took away a gift from sweet
Cindy Lou!”

“I thought no one understood,
but I never thought to ask.
I listened to what they said,
and didn’t try to explain.
I assumed they should just know how I felt
I let them pull my chain.”
And she puzzled three hours,
`till her puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something
she hadn’t before!
“Maybe Christmas,” she thought,
“doesn’t come from feeling great.
Maybe Christmas…perhaps….
“comes from communicating straight!
Maybe Christmas comes from accepting the love
Of those all around us, friends, and God from above.”

And what happened then…?
Well…in some parts they say
That the Grinch’s small heart
Grew three sizes that day!
And the minute her heart didn’t feel quite so slow,
She whizzed through the house, with a spirit that was no longer low.
The body still had aches, the pain didn’t go away.
But the rest of the afternoon, her spirit felt at play.

Lisa Copen lives with rheumatoid arthritis is the founder of Rest Ministries, a Christian organization that serves the chronically ill. She had a little help from Dr. Seuss on this! Visit her web site at www.restministries.org and sign up for web site updates!

Walk A Cross, America Coast to Coast for Miracles

Christian Newswire/ — Author, Poet and Illustrator, David K. Sumrell, is going to walk a Cross AMERICA. He is starting in Norfolk, Virginia, on March 1st, 2010, to the shores of California. He is doing this to bring attention to the world, the continuing Miracles he has been blessed with, through his faith and bring the glory to God. On October 30th, 2009, David was told he has a new tumor growing in his lung and they wanted to take part of his lung out in order to save his life. In 2004, David was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma throughout his organs; liver, lungs, brain and lymph system.

He was sent home from both Duke and VA Medical Centers in Durham, N.C., without any hope of survival. They would not even give him experimental Chemotherapy, because his condition was so advanced. The Doctors promised to keep him comfortable until he died.

At that time he looked up and thanked the Lord for being too sick to receive chemotherapy. He never asked the Lord to save his life; only that His will be done. He promised, IF given the opportunity, he would write three books in His honor. David fulfilled his promise to God and is alive today, with nods on his lungs and a melanoma tumor in his eye, almost 6 years later without any medicines.

Every Doctor involved in David’s care, have called his condition nothing less than a miracle, while many have broke down and cried. They all know and have stated no one has ever lived through what he has survived.

David realized when he wrote his third book, he had already had seven miracles in his life; however even though CBN and the 700 Club did his story after verifying all of his medical information, his story brought very little attention to the miracles still happening today, through faith.

For more information on David K. Sumrell or how he has lived by his faith ever since he can remember and the seven miracles he has had in his life, please visit the website . There will be updates added to my website the closer we get to March 1st.

With this latest diagnosis, he now feels it is time to go out and spread the word to the rest of the world, how true it is that the faith of a mustard seed can move mountains.

Reflections on How People Respond to Visual “Pain” Experiences

It had been many weeks since I have been to church. My rheumatoid arthritis had been flaring for months now. I had been off of my main medication since August of 2008 due to infections and then pending surgery.

While my husband and son left on Sunday mornings I would attempt to log on to the church’s web site to watch the broadcast. Some days it worked. Some days it did not.

But a couple of weeks ago, after I had had joint replacement surgery on my left hand, my family decided to go on a Saturday night service when my body would be less sore. Any outing would be nice and I was eager to the back and receive some refreshment from the Lord.

We got there a few minutes early and I went into the bookstore and wandered around. I got a few odd looks from curious people who quickly turned away. I smiled back and people nervously may meet my gaze enough to be polite.

While my husband went to check my son into Sunday school, I sat down outside. About six men who were ushers all stood within a few feet with their microphones in their ears, laughing about doing push ups. They glanced over me a few times, obviously wondering if they should talk to me or not. I smiled, as if to invite conversation, but then they turned away back into their safe huddle.

Many people walked by and did not even look at me. I’m used to that as I am not some beauty, but still, some people have said my splint resembles something from Edward Scissorhands. A few people glanced over at the contraption on my hand but never smiled or looked up at my face.

My husband and I joined my mother in the church and sat down. During introductions after worship one woman in front of us leaned over and said something like “Boy, that looks like it hurts.” I smiled and said thanks and explained I had gotten new joints.

The speaker was Lieutenant General William Boykin (Exceptional! You can listen here.)

It was inspiring, and exciting to listen to. At the end of his message “Who Should I Send?” he had everyone close their eyes and people who wanted to accept Christ into their hearts were to raise their hand. We all said the prayer of acceptance of Jesus into our lives together.

As the service ended I grabbed my pillow that I had brought to rest my arm on and stood up. My husband was the first of us to leaves the pew and was nudged forward before I could get out of it myself. People streaming out of the church resembled a southern California freeway and I was protecting my hand too much to risk merging into the oncoming traffic.

I yelled to husband to go ahead and go get Josh because I couldn’t “get out.” I waited about 60 seconds to merge into the aisle. Guarding my arm, people still brushed by me. Finally I got into the aisle and had to holler back to my mom, “I will meet you outside” as I was pushed along.

All I wanted to do was glance at the book table to see the price of the book (Never Surrender) and then to get outside, but people wanted to get to the table ahead of me and also to the long line for the speaker to sign the book. There was confusion over two lines: one to buy the book, the other to get the book signed. So at times I just stopped and tried to wait for the flow of traffic to go by in the opposite direction so that I could get out of the auditorium.

But then people beside me and behind me impatiently said “I need to get by you…” At one time I said with irritation, “I am just trying to get out too and can’t seem to get through.”

At last I got outside. As the evening went on however, I reflected back on my experience. There is the human side of me that will admit to that the thought occurred to me if I was a conference with Joni Eareckon Tada’s ministry, Joni and Friends, I would be the speaker, and people would be lining up for me to sign their books, as in the past. But tonight, I was just an inconvenience, someone in the way, someone who would remind people that life was imperfect and they too are vulnerable.

I thought about the fact was that the church had just had an amazing speaker who just invited people to accept Jesus into their lives to help them through the valleys and challenges that we will face in this lifetime on earth.

What if I was not a believer and my family brought me to church hoping that I would accept Jesus into my heart during this recovery of a joint replacement?

What if I was just so encouraged by the speaker that I had actually raised my hand to become a Christian .. and then I was unable to even get out into the aisle?

As I got outside I ran into a couple of friends. One said I had good “color” (I told her it was the makeup.) Another who said something like “So it’s a lot better now, right?” (I didn’t say it but I thought “Uh, no. I have about five more months of therapy and weeks still in this splint.”)

I have always tried to follow my belief that people are always more important than programs when it comes to my ministry. Programs are necessary and needed, but people are always more valuable. When I mentioned my mixed emotions to a friend she emailed me back, “When I had MS problems a few summers ago I went to church in a wheelchair just so I could go. Not ONE of the pastors (and they all saw me there) came up to us. Most people circled around us like I had the plague. Our small group attendees were warm and that’s all. Boy do I know how it feels to be walking and feeling like protecting myself from being knocked over.”

I’m not looking for a pity party. I’m not even looking for people to run over and have a conversation about the weird contraption on my hand. For example, it was obvious the men who were ushers felt somewhat uncomfortable, not knowing if they should “intrude” and ask me what had happened to my hand, or if they should ignore it.

My degree is in sociology and so I can’t help but look at the different experiences I am having in a variety of environments. And it saddens me when strangers at the pharmacy or the grocery store show more compassion than anyone in my church body. We have become a society that is so afraid of appearing “nosey” that we don’t even walk up to a sister in Christ and say, “Goodness, that must hurt! How are you doing?”

And at the same time, I hear about many of your experiences too and find that when people believe they can offer a “cure” they are eager to get involved and share their thoughts about your physical condition. Maybe when our condition looks too complicated they shy away since they don’t feel they have answer?

What is my reason for sharing this? I asked myself that before writing it, as I don’t want to have it seem as though I am complaining, or looking for sympathy, or expect Christians to be perfect. To be honest, I don’t even know exactly what I want. I debated about shring this experience with you because I love my church and I know it was a small individualized experience.

I think my true reason is that God has given me the gift of being able to have a ministry like Rest Ministries and has placed me in the position of trying to be an advocate for people with chronic illness or invisible illness.

I want you to know that I don’t have all the answers, but I am experiencing new things each day, both challenges and blessings.

And when you walk into your church and no one will look you in the eye, or they appear to be disinterested — even when you are visibly struggling, I want you to know that is nothing personal. I am experiencing the same thing. And I am also asking myself the same questions as you, like, “What am I doing wrong?” Or “Why do people not seem to care?”

I love the scripture Psalm 138:8: “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.”

We are in this together — both the journey of chronic illness that God has set us on, and also the steps towards gently educating our church leadership on the emotional and spiritual pain that accompanies the physical pain that many suffer from. But regardless of the weaknesses of man, God’s love will endure forever. We will never be abandoned.

Lisa Copen
Rest Ministries Director

What are the Nicest Things Someone Did For You?

During this season of thankfulness we asked our readers “What did someone do for you that made you feel special?” As you will see, it’s not the presents, but the presence of a friend that encourages us to keep pushing forward when we wonder if we will make it through this life. . . Do something special for someone today. They’ll never forget it!

My chiropractor came to my home and worked on me without charge.—Jerry Ann

My 9-year-old daughter made me a cup of hot tea when I had a horrendous migraine. I hadn’t even asked her for anything. —Beth

Right after my father passed away a friend turned up at my house with a teddy bear as big as she was. Then she took me out for a “mystery journey”—her treat. First, to her hairdresser to have my hair done; then out for lunch. —Carole

When I wasn’t feeling well was my four-year-old granddaughter, Rianna, cuddled me and wiped my head with a wet cloth; I was on the floor after collapsing and being sick from the overloading my liver with medication. She tucked me into bed afterward and held my hand. My sister wasn’t able to help; she hadn’t seen me having “a fit” before and was afraid, so Rianna also comforted her by telling her not to worry, she would look after us both.—Penny

My father paid a cleaning service to come into my home and clean everything, top to bottom, in and out. It really gave me a lift to have everything clean and it was so much easier to keep up after that. —Kim

Someone said she didn’t know how I felt but she cared. —Julie

A friend from church called and said she was coming over to help me. When she got there she wanted to start cleaning, but I told her I wanted her to sit down with me. She did and I cried out my heart to her and she held me and let me cry for over an hour. It felt as if Jesus Himself was holding me. I have never forgotten what she did. She still comes and checks on me and has taken me to doctors’ appointments. I love her because of her Christ-like nature. —Tanya

Someone came with home-made chicken soup. I don’t know whether it was the soup or the caring that made me feel better. —Phyllis

At a church retreat it rained and I could not get out of bed. Not only did people visit me and bring me meals, they squished as many people as would fit into my room and sang for me. I was lifting my hands and praising God in bed. —Linda

My church made meals, had people buy me groceries, provided companionship and organized rides for me to all my appointments. I was restricted from driving for six months, so that was a lot of rides. Some folks even brought me fancy coffee from Starbucks just because they knew I liked it. I will always be grateful. —Diane

What did someone do to encourage you? Comment below to share! And if yo are looking for more ideas, be sure to check out Lisa’s book Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend for lots more ideas!

What I’d Like to Tell My Pastor About Living with Illness

Living with chronic illness is lonely. Everyone around us seems to be enjoying health, happiness and the ability to pursue their dreams. But we are lonely, scared, and disappointed. We are living with an illness that we have not been able to pray away, cry away, or confess away and so we turn to our church for guidance and acceptance. But churches are made up of people—all of us imperfect. We asked our readers, What would you like your pastor to know about living with a chronic illness and your need to serve others, or be ministered to, within the body? Here are some of your heart-felt replies.

(Please add your comments below to add your own 2-cents about what you’d like your pastor to know.)

I know I am young and you may not believe I am feeling well enough for leadership, but the Lord has worked in my life in so many ways through my illness and I am bursting to be a part of an “illness ministry” to encourage others. Please make some time to sit down and let me share my new calling with you. —Renee

It is very difficult for me to get to church due to the fact that the services are about three hours long and I have problems sitting for long periods of time. When I come, I have to choose between worship or the sermon. No one ever calls or checks to see why I am not there and I used to be one of their Sunday school teachers. I think they have a problem with the fact that I am one of those that have not been healed. —Doris

Every time we have gone to church and we have gone for prayer and I have sought out help, people keep telling me one of two things: “Patty, by His Stripes, You are healed… You must have faith; if you have faith then you will be healed,” or “You must not be praying hard enough.” I can’t tell you how much that hurts, and how I keep feeling like a failure when I am told that. —Patty

Some of us simply want to rest confidently in the Lord and rely on Him for provision during long periods of ill health. I want rest, calm and privacy—not to be cut off from kindly connection with people—but not to have knocks on my door at all hours of the day and night, either! —Caron

There needs to be a ministry devoted entirely to helping others: meals to the woman who just had a baby or rides to doctor appointments. Please help me out by seeing past the “you look fine, so you must feel fine” mentality. —Bridget

Those who live with chronic illness need understanding first, love second, and challenge third. There are times when an ill person can’t function, and the church and its leaders need to be understanding, prayerful and available—for solving practical needs as well as spiritual counsel. —Kay

Find out limitations, hindrances to participation. Ask, “What barriers, hindrances are there that prevent you from coming to church, worshipping with us, participating fully?” or “What can we do to help you to be able to participate more fully in church life?”

Be supportive, take me seriously, not down-playing my illness and yet not drawing too much attention to it either. Suggest helpful tapes, books and articles that help me keep my eyes focused on God.

I’d like people in the church to ask how they can help me in practical ways and offer some suggestions of what they could do, such as: rides to doctors, doing shopping, baking or housecleaning.

Invite me to activities even if I probably can’t attend and when inviting, give as much details re the proceedings, program, length, environment, etc as you can. Don’t be hurt if I can’t come.
—Marguerite

Even though I went through physical therapy and rehabilita-tion, I was unable to continue working. This was very devastating. In the months following the accident, I learned to rely on my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for comfort.

My husband was also disabled and this caused a greater stress. I was most grieved because my church family didn’t visit and the telephone calls were few. Don’t just tell people you’re praying for them. Come pray with them. Don’t ask if there’s anything you can do, come prepared to do!

Don’t ask if there is a financial need; think of the expenses you have in your household and, if they don’t have an income, there has to be a need. Don’t think that because they aren’t complaining they aren’t hurting. Don’t tell them to “give their problems to God.” Take that person and their problems in your hands and hold them up before God. —Wanda

Please don’t discuss details of my illness with others without my expressed permission. When someone asks how I’m doing, they don’t need to know that I now have a catheter. Ask me, “When others ask, what shall I tell them?” I will be happy to tell you how much information to share. —Rev. Koiv

My pastor feels very uncomfortable with people who cannot work hard and “Go! Go! Go!” for the Lord. His sermons are filled with “You must do this and you must do that!” I leave the service beaten up in spirit because my body is unable to “Go! Go! Go!” I fight depression because of the chronic pain and lack of sleep so I’m not “Happy! Happy! Happy!” all of the time. He feels that if you don’t “whistle while you work” then you better get on your knees before God! (Like I could get down on my knees and then get up again?) —Judy

My church seems to operate under the misconception that a person who is disabled by a chronic illness, as I am, doesn’t need to serve the church. They are content with my just showing up for worship when I am able.

I feel a compelling need to serve my Lord and my church. But I am no longer physically able to fill any of their traditional roles offered as service opportunities. When suggesting possible alternatives, I am met by rejection where it might cause someone else more work, or they just can’t see out of ‘the box’, or simply patted on the head and told to rest and not worry. This makes me feel useless, helpless, and a “lesser” person in the church – a burden.

My disability makes it extremely difficult for me to counteract these obstacles – I need my pastor or another leader to champion my cause for me. I need him to teach/motivate others in the church to extend a hand so that I might participate as fully as God allows. —Jean

As my pain grew worse over time, I realized that I could not do all the ministry that I wanted to do and had been doing; I am the pastor’s wife and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It was difficult for me to admit to our congregation that it was physically necessary for me to relieve myself of certain duties since I appeared fine. I periodically missed church, but I tried to go no matter how I felt.

As time went on, I decided to give up areas of ministry: I quit teaching; I quit singing in the choir; I quit being the secretary. I stood up in a service and, by way of testimony, explained my situation. The people were very supportive and did not look down on me because I was withdrew myself from ministry. Our church was encouraged to get behind me and hold me up. My (pastor) husband made sure that he provided updates on my progress.It was important to me that he validated my illness and supported my decisions.

It is difficult when someone steps down from ministry in order to attend to the physical needs of their bodies. But God has told us that this is his Temple and we are to take care of it. God sent new families to our church during my time of hiatus from ministry. My husband was very influential in plugging them into the vacant ministries. Because he supported me and my decision to remove myself, others were given the opportunity to serve the Lord and I have been able to focus on my relationship with the Lord more through this time. —Pamela

-ljc

Related Articles

• Wesley United Methodist Church in Morgantown, WV Offers TONS of Activites and Hope! (invisibleillnessweek.com)
• What is an Invisible Illness? (invisibleillnessweek.com)

Share Your Stories for Lisa’s Christian Mom w/ Illness Book

Are you a Christian mom with a chronic illness who has kids under 10… or just remembers having kids under 10? If so, you may want to consider adding your input to my new book for chronically ill Chistian moms!

If you sign up for this “group” Christian Moms with Illness Book Team you will only be notified of what I am looking for for the book: example, anecdotes, advice, your stories, etc.

Your replies will not be public, and this is not a group where you will send emails to other members. It’s just a “tool” to be able to reach you and I will let you know if your suggestions make it into the book!

I am also looking for moms who also have the illness but may be the caregiver for someone else, moms with illness who have ill kids, single moms, etc. If you are an adult who grew with with a chronically ill mom, I also have some question for you!

If you are a mom and you have an illness you qualify.

Sign up here.

I look forward to working with you!
Lisa Copen

PS: Looking for mom support? Visit our Sunroom Groups:

• Parenting Kids Under 10 When You Are Ill
• When Your Child Has a Chronic Illness
• Trying to Raise Teenagers without Losing It
• Beyond Surviving Homeschooling
• Infertility and Chronic Illness
• Being a Parent with a Chronic Illness and have a Child with Special Needs
• Adopting When You Have a Chronic Illness

Poem “Too Young”

By: Carolynn Cheatham

“You’re too young to have this.”

“OK, then fix it, please.”

“We don’t know how.”

The common and frequent questions:
How did you develop a nerve problem?
Were you in an accident?

The answers, always the same:
I don’t know.
The doctors can’t figure it out.
No accident, I just woke up with it.
There’s nothing they can do.

The usual response:
Oh honey, I am so sorry.
Bless your heart.
You’re too young for this.

Sympathy, not empathy.
Few can see the good that has come out of it.
That I have matured and am stronger.

Maybe I am too young for this
But I am not too young to die serving my country,
Or have a child, in or out of wedlock;
To get drunk and make the choice to drive a car and kill someone
in the accident I cause.
I can incur thousands of dollars in debt, buying worthless things I don’t need,
Or get caught up in the fashion trends of the more-skin-revealed-the-better or
the-skinnier-the-better.
I could die trying to make myself look like the “standard” –
I am not too young to have an eating disorder.
I am not too young to have lots of boyfriends and risk STDs.

Why then am I too young for health problems?
My body isn’t old enough?
Disease and distress are reserved for the aged?
What a great future I am looking at 30 years from now when the “typical” health issues kick in. I can’t wait!
They say growing old is not for the faint hearted – what about growing up?
Maybe that’s it. Maybe I’m not mature enough to handle all this. Maybe they don’t want me to experience what they do or what they fear.

But if they experience what I do – what’s the big deal?
My heart is whole and my soul rejoices.
I am stronger, healthier than I’ve ever been.
I know who I am – the disease does not define me
Neither do the clothes, or the car, or the job;
It’s my heart.
I gave it to God 13 years ago and I’m not about to ask for it back.
Yes, these momentary troubles are tough.
I shed tears – some of frustration. Some of anger, and some of desperation.
But I know who walks beside me, holds my hand, and offers comfort and peace
in abundance.
I hate this pain sometimes, but I don’t hate Him.
Carolynn Cheatham is 21 years “young” and has dealt with various forms of chronic pain for the past 4 years. Despite the daunting future, she relies on her Savior who holds her in His hands and helps her to focus on the important aspects of life and give everything to Him. She lives in metro-Atlanta, Georgia with her supportive and loving family and friends.

She shares, “I have heard the words, ”You’re too young to have chronic pain,” spoken with pity by friends and family, and in frustration by doctors. This poem was written just after such an encounter, only this time I was the one speaking out of frustration. Apparently, I am not too young to face chronic pain because “Here I Am!” I hope this puts my life and experiences into prospective and speaks to fellow ‘young” patients.’” She can be reached by email.

What Have You Always Wanted to Do…

…but you felt like your illness held you back?

There are days when we are able to see an alternative to our dreams and find another way to fulfill them, but sometimes our illness really does hold us back–either because of safety issues, health reasons, or maybe just because we allow ourselves to put those dreams aside.

Our founder, Lisa, has a great presentation on this called Chronic Illness and Our Hopes and Dreams: When to Keep ‘Em, When to Wean ‘Em if you are interested in pursing this topic.

Scripture tells us “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21). We al have plans. Illness is one way many of us have experienced how God weeds out the ones that are just “dreams” from those that are attached to His purpose.

And oftentimes, He does allow us to fulfill dreams – they just weren’t the ones we would have necessarily chosen if given a choice. (Our founder would not have chosen chronic illness ministry as her dream at the age of 23!)

We asked you… what have you always wanted to do but you felt like your illness held you back? Here are your responses. Be sure to add your own in the comments section below.

• I have always wanted to drive but that has never been possible because I have seizures. I also have fibromyalgia and arthritis. –Dottie
• I’ve always wanted to square dance. -Bob
• I’ve always wanted to go to Israel. –Kathleen
• I always wished I could work in women’s ministries as a Christian counselor or teacher.  Twice I have returned to school just to have my health fail.  I am 8 hours away from a degree in Christian Counseling, but I have no clue if I’ll be able to finish. -Kathy
• I’ve always wanted to do more for my church.. Actually because of my illnesses my Pastor doesn’t let me do all I would like to do. –Lee
• I’ve always wanted to work, babysit and do things with my Grandchildren, walk on a beach without tear’s, help more in our Church without having to go to bed the next day . -Bonnie
• I’ve always had a strong desire to be involved in Women’s ministry–whether a Bible study class or outreach; but now I can’t always depend on having the strength or energy to be “active.” I went to our Lord feeling depressed and disappointed and asked Him, “What can I do?” He gently reminded me that I can be active in a Card Outreach Ministry and so I am! Praise to our Lord, for HE always knows what we can do-all we need to do is LISTEN TO HIM! -Susan
• I’ve always wanted to continue hiking and working (as a dentist) but my illness has stopped me from doing these! Fortunately for me, prior to 4 years ago, my MS symptoms were invisible and I enjoyed these things! –Jane
• I’ve always wanted to leave the house alone, but my illness is holding me back. I have epilepsy and I’m terrified of having seizures on the street. –Violet
• I’ve always wanted to work or volunteer in a facility that has big cats,-a refuge or zoo. -Bethany
• I’ve always wanted to be a missionary in a 3rd world country. -Ingrid

What 3 Words Describe Your Life Today?

If you had to choose what 3 words describe your life right now, what would they be? We asked you and here are some of your answers… Good to reflect on.

When we are trying to keep up with the world it’s easy to forget that God knows our limits and that we are to use those weaknesses to serve Him, not fret that we can’t do what the world does.

Romans 12: 2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The world’s will will never be ours… thank goodness!

I hope you will share your 3 words in the comments section below.

• Painful, frustrating, (always) hopeful –Sherrie
• Hopeful, tired, thankful. –Christine
• Stressful, hopeful, painful –June
• Suffering, blessed, humbled – Claudia
• Challenging, lonley, but full of hope in Christ –Peggy
• Busy, joyful, painful –Sandra
• Hidden, strange, protected  -Reni
• Frustrated, uninvolved, dieting -Becki
• Hopeless, directionless, lonely -Junie
• Blessed by God –Robin
• Blessed, God, family –Donna