Leading a support group for the chronically ill may be the last thing you have considered taking on. But if you feel the nudge from God, don’t ignore it. Laura explains.
“Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.” (Job 8:7)
It’s the group no one wants to join but we are all happy to have met. It is comprised of 11 women and two men, ranging in age from mid-30’s to 60’s. We talk, share, nod, listen, pray, eat, and cry. We have one main thing in common–chronic illness.
We are a HopeKeepers group which I began recently with a friend at church. I would never have dreamt of started such a small group, but my path has taken this turn and I am excited. I had worked nearly half my life as an elementary school counselor but never thought of running a group for adults. But I scoured the internet for hours on end and could not find any chronic illness support group in my area. There were plenty of groups for specific needs but no small groups for chronic illness. I was lonely and looking for others to meet who understood the reality of a chronic condition.
I called the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo and talked with the coordinator of disability services. They say God works in mysteries ways and before I knew it I was not only volunteered to run a group but I also was the new parish advocate for the chronically ill and disabled for my church. Wow, what had I just gotten myself into? But that’s another devotional.
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)
We are growing and supporting one another. You would think a group for people with illnesses would be depressing–but it is not. We talk about the loss and sadness, but we also have the hope that our futures will be prosperous. We all have realized we have to reinvent ourselves a bit.
God gives me the endurance to sit with these inspiring men and women for 90 minutes twice a month and listen, share, and be enriched. And my dear friend, who has lived through two life-threatening illness of her own, is a light spot in our group. She co-leads and takes over when my brain stops processing information or I lose steam.
God works amazingly in us. He provides this diverse group of people, from several different Christian backgrounds, to share, support and listen to one another. We are truly blessed.
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for helping me to be open to running a HopeKeepers group in my community. Thank You for bringing the people to the group and for allowing them to share their lives with us. Bless them and everyone who is struggling with the challenges of living with a chronic illness. Help us to prosper in our new way of living. Amen.
About the author:
Laura Seil Ruszczyk lives in New York with her husband and three kids. She retired from her job as an elementary school counselor in 2012. She is writing a book about her struggles with dysautonomia _ a neurological condition in which the autonomic nervous system malfunctions, affected such things as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and temperature regulation.
In what ways have you prospered in life since becoming chronically ill?
Here is a sweet video abut friendships with the song “Friends are Quiet Angels.” -Lisa
Woo hoo!!! Such an encouraging & inspiring devotional Laura. God sure is mysterious……weird I’d say on some days…..I mean that lovingly! 🙂 What a wonderful blessing for you & the whole group. How special that you are able to continue to use your counseling skills too. I love the way that God always uses everything in our past to help us in our future. Thanks for sharing. I pray that other HopeKeepers groups will spring up from your sharing, the Lord’s nudging & people responding to the call. God bless you as you co-lead these special people in your group. Lotsoluv Kerryn
Thank you Kerryn for the kind response. The group is so much fun and worthwhile – I highly recommend running or participating in one to others.
Hi Laura,
My first HK group will be Wed. Oct 30. I have been gone for 2 weeks and now am running( not really) to discern God’s plan for this first meeting. The notice was in church bulletin today but have had no calls as of yet. Need advice as to how to state please call me if interested vs calling me if they have any questions. (How it was stated in bulletin). Hence, I have no clue if anyone will be coming!!! Don’t want people to think they can’t come if they haven’t called but on other hand would feel better if know someone is coming!!!!
Also, not a teacher, just doing what God has been nudging me about for months. Ideas for first meeting not formulated totally yet, but sharing about each other, if comfortable, what they would like from this group, what kind of study, etc. Just getting to know one another and make it easy and friendly and safe for all.
Any tips, advice, etc. would be greatly appreciated and prayers, too , of course.
Thank you in advance, Laua.
I am unable to see where to sign up in a group. Do you offer groups online. I have gone to a lot of sites like this…but found no way to sign up.
I am looking for living a quality life diagnosed with ongoing clinical depression, mood disorder.
I’m in that same place right now with the initial meeting on April 15th at my church. My community life pastor was so excited when I came to her with what was on my heart for a group for people with chronic illness. My biggest prayer right now is that if there are people that are interested, there will be someone who can co-facilitate if Im just no able to sometimes.