We can spend great time and money searching out something that fulfills us, but most often God hands us little gifts that we soon realize turn into something much more precious to us than we even imagined. Laura shares.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
I am thankful I can drink strong, black iced tea.
Let me explain; many with dysautonomia have high heart rates. Caffeine raises the rate even more. For me, however, my autonomic nervous system disorder caused bradycardia–a heart rate consistently under 60. That is the reason for my pacemaker; which paces my heart 79 percent of the time.
Caffeine therefore does not speed up my heartbeat.
I admit I am a Starbucks iced tea drinker. I have at least one large drink most days.
I sit today in a Starbucks near Cleveland, Ohio as a friend who I am visiting sees a new physician. We are dysautonomia buddies. We met nearly five years ago through mutual friends/relatives. At first we were Facebook friends, but after meeting in person our relationship grew quickly.
She is one of the absolute best parts of living with a chronic condition. Life would not be as fun or exciting without her. We have private jokes. We can laugh about our crazy symptoms and understand each other’s hopes, joys and fears. I wish she did not have this diagnosis but am thankful we face it together.
Today’s joy is sipping tea while waiting for her to pick me up. Yesterday we visited a different Starbucks together–talking, laughing and catching up.
Few things in life are constant. I know our friendship is one of them. Another is finding a Starbucks wherever I travel. And, of course, the biggest is knowing God walks this journey with us.
Prayer: Dear Lord, guide us as we embrace each new day. Help us to appreciate the blessings You provide. In Your name, dear Lord, Amen.
About the author:
Laura Seil Ruszczyk lives in New York with her husband of 27 years and three children. She is a retired elementary school counselor who currently runs a HopeKeepers
group at her church. She has dysautonomia, the deregulation of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls such invisible functions as heart rate, blood pressure,
breathing and temperature regulation.
What do you enjoy doing? If you had an afternoon with no restrictions, how would you spend your soul-refreshing time?
I loved Laura’s devotional and I hope you won’t mind me sharing a new necklace I just designed because it reflects what she says so well! I made one that says “sister” and “best friend”. Thank you for your continual prayers for myself and my family. Laura has been one of those rocks across the miles that has been especially comforting and some day we will meet at that Starbucks and be refreshed in ways that go far beyond what any drink could offer us.
Comment below and I will randomly choose a winner for any necklace from Gutsy Goodness on Friday. Our international readers are eligible as well, but you would have to pay the postage, approximately $15USD. Hope this makes someone smile… maybe even a friend of yours when you give it to her as a gift. And we have designs and keychains for you men, so join us in the comments too. -Lisa
Lovely devotion!! I love to call them “Gods graces” and they are always there, we may just have to look a little harder for them. I can’t begin to tell you how many times he has used the words of a friend, a card or text at just the right time, ect. He sees our struggles and cares so deeply for our needs.
Kim, that is a great descriptor “God’s graces.” Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Laura
It is probably too late win the awesome necklace.
But wanted to say I have Atrial Fibs, going to ask my Dr.
if I have the auto-immune what you have as well. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, fibro, diabetes/pill/oral, and ankly spon/arthritis/spine, well and more… smile… but that would be great -(isn’t that weird, but true) to drink coffee… I know weird I want this disease, but I am with you, friend… makes life a little happier/better – always friends do as well. I appreciate you !
True friendship is one who loves you in adversity too.
agreed Amy,
Blessings, Laura
Friendship/fellowship is an amazing gift from our gracious God, providing exactly what He knows we need to make it through this life’s difficult challenges. We who have chronic illnesses know this so well. Blessings on your day, friends.
Agreed Virginia. God bless you too. Laura
Hi Laura, thank you for your encouraging words. I have dysautonomia too. It usually causes tachycardia for me, though. I’m glad you have met such a good dysautonomia friend online! What a blessing! Isn’t God good to give us wonderful gifts in the midst of suffering.
Lisa, that is such a cute necklace! And it fits perfectly with today’s devotional.
Racel, I am sorry to see you have dysautonomia too as it is such an odd diagnosis. Yes I think God does bless us; sometimes, for me at least, I have to be observant.,
God bless you always, Laura
Ah, Laura – I agree. Nothing beats the joy of sitting with a friend in person and being able to share from the heart for we know they care and want to listen – as do we to them. And it is not always about our challenges – it is about all that makes life meaningful for us.
For me, that is the afternoon I’d choose – any location as long as the heart of a friend was there with me.
And when an “in person” time is not the option, you and others I know from online connections fit that part ever as much as typing out our hearts is received and responded to.
Hugs –
Lynn
Lynn, agreed, in person connections are vital.
But our on-line communications are a blessing too.
God bless you, Laura
That is one thing that I have prayed for is for a friend who has the time to sit down with me and laugh about the same symptoms we have. Laughter is the best medicine!
Laughter is a great medicine Julie.
Blessings, Laura
I love your necklaces so much that I wondered who won it?
Many years ago at a Thanksgiving service, I heard a homily which the minister directed at the older women of the congregation. He basically told them to branch out and make friends now before they became widows. I’d just entered middle-age and had been married about ten years. But his message struck me because I’d always had difficulty making and maintaining friends and I’d always been lonely. (Even though I was, then and am now, happily married.) Growing up in the ’50s, I came from an abusive, highly dysfunctional family so I never had stability. Being married gave me the stability I needed then. Being born-again 22 years ago has given both my husband and I a very sturdy anchor and for that I’m very thankful. But I still felt empty inside – as if God’s love was for His other children, not me. Twelve years ago, my health began spiraling down, especially after many surgeries and health complications. Four years ago, I learned I had Borderline Personality Disorder – given my upbringing that made sense. Just recently I learned I have (& have probably had for many years) Fibromyalgia, along with longstanding Hashimoto’s, IBS and Benign Essential Tremor. Now in my early 60’s, I’m learning there is hope. Always. Hope. God has been very patient with me and I know He loves me and I’m His child. I’m making connections with other women at our new church, 2 of whom have Fibro. I like making people happy and doing things for people, when I can. So if God has been patient with me, I can learn (and am learning) to be patient with others. That’s one of the fruits of the Spirit and that ‘fruit’ goes well with tea (or coffee) making friends! Blessings -;)
Ellen, your writing made me smile.
So glad you are connecting with others at church.
And yes HOPE is essential.
Blessings,
Laura
Laura I could just picture you both enjoying your tea, laughing and talking. It’s such a joy when God blesses us with kindred spirits to share life’s journey.
Thank you for sharing a bit of your joy with us!
Blessings Di
Thank you for writing Di. Yes my friend and I laugh a lot when we get together. We both believe humor and laughing is essential. Blessings, Laura
I really was blessed by your sweet devotional Laura. I too, love tea- hot and iced. And I love to laugh! I do not have many close friends locally to sit with in person; but I am so very thankful for all the blessings of the friends I have met online, through Rest Ministries, and Hopekeepers. Our spirits are united in Him and the love and fellowship is so sweet.
yes Sandy we are fortunate for our on-line friends.
I love good, strong, black iced tea. Strange as it sounds, even when in the midst of winter, I drink cold drinks.
God bless you always,
Laura
i love this devotion Laura. It touched my heart. And i would love to win this necklace to give to my fibro friend!! Thanks for the chance Lisa.
Loved your message Laura! 🙂
How wonderful to have made a friend that you could meet up with face to face & who “gets” you & the daily challenges you face! Illnesses sure are tough, but like you I’ve had the joy of meeting up face to face with friends I’ve met through RM who “get” me! What a gift of friendship that is.
My absolute joy is to have face to face time with a dear friend, enjoying a cuppa & a chat outside on a perfect day… then finishing with prayer together!! BLISS!! Of course for me it needs to be a HOT cup of tea, usually a naturally flavoured green tea….. & I’ll drink hot tea on hot days too!! 😉 My current fave hot tea is mandarine green tea! YUM! LOTSoluv Kerryn
PS. Lisa, the necklace made me smile! CUTE!