You are here: Home / Archives for Relationships

Who is Watching How You Cope? Even The Dentist!

June 9, 2013 By 11 Comments
dentist

Even when we don't feel like we are coping well, someone is watching, Fiona Burrows shares about an unlikely person--the dentist--who is observing her hope. “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18) Do you have days when you feel like you are making such a mess of your life: complaining because you are sick of things being as hard as they seem? not acting towards others as you know you should? so focused on you--not seeing much else around you? This was one of those days--or weeks--or months!It’s been seeming harder than “usual” most of this year for me. It … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Doctor, Hope, Relationships, What's New?

Do you Use Your Illness as an Excuse for Your Temper?

May 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Do you Use Your Illness as an Excuse for Your Temper?

Lisa Copen We all have times we mess up and wish we could just click "undo" in our life, just like on our computer keyboard. But far too often we begin to feel justified in our reaction, blaming the stress in our life and our brain fog of chronic illness and we don't offer the apology. So you said something you shouldn't have said. It happens to all of us at one time or another. But our character is not always diminished by saying something without thinking, but by how we handled it afterwards. When we say something out of emotion we may use our illness as an excuse "I was feeling really crummy that day and just got mad that no one was helping me around the house," shares Maria. "I went on a rampage, screaming about the messes and the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Anger, Articles, Articles - Read, Coping Skills, Friendships, Hurt Feelings, What's New?

Illness Can Confuse Our Perspectives and Mess Up Communication

May 24, 2013 By 36 Comments
HAVE YOU EVER BECOME TONGUE TWISTED AND ASKED FOR LICORICE INSTEAD OF LETTUCE? This #devotional writer has! "Brain fog" of illness can add to the confusion when we are trying to communicate with others, but it can also make us perceive things in the wrong way. Great article on how to look at the whole situation before jumping to conclusions--which may actually be wrong.

Do you ever confuse people with an odd word that "sounds like" the word you are thinking of? Kerryn explains brain fog and how we need to not jump to conclusions by our perspective. “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good” (Romans 7:15-16). “What do you mean?” “I don't understand?” “I can't find the word!” “Can you get the thing-amee?” These are all common statements of mine, as confusion and muddled up conversations are part of my new “normal.” Brain fog is a frustrating part of so very many chronic invisible illnesses. It can cause much hilarity too, as I've asked for Vegemite … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Friendships, Hurt Feelings, What's New?

Mother’s Day Reflections on God’s Plan

May 12, 2013 By 13 Comments
WHAT IS MOTHERHOOD ALL ABOUT? Lisa shares how her journey of motherhood is not quite what she expected and yet, even through the pain and sorrow, it is so much more.

Lisa shares from her heart the path of motherhood and how it is rarely smooth. "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." (Hebrews 12:11) Happy Mother's Day. I write that with the hope that many of you will feel blessed today. Perhaps you will spend the day with your children. Maybe they will call from another state, drop by for a visit. They will tell you how much you mean to them. Or. . . maybe not . . . Celebrating motherhood can be bittersweet for many. Some of you still long to be a mother, others of you have children in heaven. Some of you just. . . struggle. I am one who is struggling. I love … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Holidays, Overwhelmed, Parenting, What's New?

Mother’s Day Videos That Will Touch You

May 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment
SOME OF THE BEST MOTHER'S DAY VIDEOS whether your children are young, old, or living in heaven. Touching!

Here are some of our favorite Mother's Day videos for the many emotions you may be experiencing today. If you are wondering if you are making a difference to your children... Steven Curtis Chapman sings "One Heartbeat at a Time."     If you have lost a child who is now in heaven... What Makes a Mother   or "Held" with Natalie Grant (This is How it Feels)   If you have adopted a child and are thinking about his or her birthmom today... Mark Schultz sings "Everything to Me" to his birthmom   If you have lost your own mother... "Goodbye For Now" by Kathy Troccoli (get a tissue) Troccoli wrote this song as well as performing it.   or "When You Come Home" with Billy … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holidays, Parenting, Videos, What's New?

Do You Wonder if You Are Good Enough?

May 11, 2013 By 9 Comments
AS A MOM WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS DO YOU EVER WONDER, "AM I GOOD ENOUGH?" This #devotional writer shares how she has struggled over the years as a mom who couldn't do it all. . . but how it was still good enough. Good read for those of us wondering if we are giving our kids our best. #parenting

As Mother's Day approaches tomorrow, some of us will wonder if, as a mom with an illness, we are "good enough." Dorothea shares how she realized she was--in God's eyes. “. . . to be busy at home . . .” (Titus 2:5) Most of the women in my family have taken the Titus 2 teaching to the extreme. Whenever I go home, I feel like I’m watching those “perfect” housewives from the old movies: sparkling homes; neatly ironed and starched laundry; hot meals every morning and night. These women manage to be neatly groomed at all times. They work, are active in church, and maintain social calendars. It’s hard for me to believe that I was a part of that circle until chronic illness took its toll on my body. When I got sick, I knew there … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Overwhelmed, Parenting, Self -Esteem, What's New?

Can You Think of Others To Relieve Pain?

April 29, 2013 By 50 Comments
DOES THINKING ABOUT OTHERS HELP YOU COPE WITH CHRONIC PAIN? This #devotional writer shares that despite her skepticism it did just that. When you think about those around you does your pain lessen?

When we take the time to think of others can our pain really be relieved? Vicki shares how this can be possible. “When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to her, ‘Woman, where is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home" (John 19:26-27). “Just think of others.” Did your doctor ever prescribe that for pain relief? Who can even think of others when in pain? Recently, I had dental work done. Some of you might wince just at the thought--for good reason. The pain is merely the beginning of what elicits such fright. Financial fear hits when the work is done. You leave with a numb face and an empty wallet. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Friend Has Illness, Friendships, Support Group Leader, What's New?

It’s Okay to Ask for Help

April 13, 2013 By 4 Comments
IS IT HARD TO ASK FOR HELP? when you are #chronically ill this can be one of our greatest struggles. In this #devotional the writer shares her struggle with asking for help but how she has been blessed along the wa as she has learned to do so.

Most of us find it hard to ask for help but in scripture we find that asking for help is a quality in a leader God loves. Dorothea explains. . . "The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone." (Exodus 18:18) “I need help.” The first time I uttered that phrase, the words sounded foreign. It was difficult to admit that I had come to a place where I was no longer self-sufficient. I felt weak. I didn’t like the thought of needing someone to help me do the ‘easy’ chores. Whether it was my husband lifting the laundry basket or my children doing the dishes, I thought I should be able to maintain my previous level of activity. I didn’t cope well with the fatigue that resulted from the slightest form of exertion. I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Fear, Friendships, What's New?

Don’t Forget to Write On The Tablet of Your Heart

April 9, 2013 By 4 Comments
AS WE KISS OUR GROWN CHILDREN GOODBYE it is hard to remember that we have done all we can. Have you written God's Word on the tablet of his or her heart? Trust that God will love them and be beside them when you cannot be. Touching...

Why is it so important to cherish God's Word? Diane shares how the saying "don't forget to write" takes on a new meaning when it comes to God's commandments. “My son, do not forget My teaching but keep My commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck write them on the tablet of your heart.” (Proverbs 3:1-3) Recently my husband and I had the bittersweet joy of moving our middle child to her first apartment. As I was following behind my husband’s truck, which was towing a trailer packed full of our daughter’s belongings, I couldn’t help but think about how long ago it had been that my own father had done … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Parenting, What's New?

Interruptions To My Most Important Life Connections

March 7, 2013 By 40 Comments
ARE YOUR LIFE CONNECTIONS SUFFERING BECAUSE OF YOUR ILLNESS? Sometimes everything just goes DOWN, we cut it off, shut it out, and avoid our life connections--despite the joy they may bring us. This #devotional writer shares what happened in her own head when the internet went down.

We all have life connections, but how are we using them? Do we avoid those we love the most to make other connections? Kerryn explains what recently happened at her home. “He who has ears, let him hear” (Matthew 13:9). Everyone in my house has been incredibly frustrated today! There are frayed edges around our patience, communication, and moods. This has been intensifying, until today when tempers were lost. The problem is not life-threatening or endangering our lives, but one would think so, with how it's impacted on us all. Put simply, our internet has been cutting in and out! These internet interruptions have been occurring a few times every hour, over the past few days, with increasing regularity. Not a big deal, except … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Friendships, Marriage, Parenting, What's New?

Chronic Illness and Marriage: Thoughts From an Ill Husband

February 13, 2013 By 5 Comments
AN ILL HUSBAND SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON MARRIAGE and what has gotten him and his wife through those tough times. Nice to see the perspective from a man who lives with illness. #chronic #illness #marriage

Most of the articles you see online show what marriage is like from the perspective of an ill wife. Karlton Douglas, our devotional writer, would like to share with you what he believes has helped his marriage survive. I thought it was a nice change to have the perspective of an ill husband too. May it bless you, Lisa "The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called "woman," for she was taken out of man.' That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." (Genesis 1:23-24) Marriage takes a lot of work. It requires compromise, not always getting your way, sacrifice, and putting the needs of others before yourself. A successful marriage is one … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Marriage, Person w/ Illness, Person w/ lll Spouse, What's New?

Romantic Ideas for A Chronically Ill Woman to Romance Her Husband

February 11, 2013 By 3 Comments
ROMANTIC IDEAS FOR A CHRONICALLY ILL WOMEN TO ROMANCE HER HUSBAND - when "hot and bothered" has a whole new meaning of hot flashes and annoyance you know it's time to start adding a bit of romance into your life--even if you DON'T feel like it -- you will be glad you did. #chronic illness #romance

This article is for the ladies and here is one for the men if you have an ill wife "Hot and bothered!" For most people these words create images of being twisted up in sheets, breathlessly reaching out to the one you love. For those with chronic illness, however, "hot" is more likely to refer to one's thyroid condition, night sweats, or a heating pad on high. "Bothered. . ." Well, let's just say when your body aches, everything makes you feel bothered: a cat that won't move off your leg, a joint that continues to throb, and a husband that is able to snore through minor earthquakes. It can be hard to be romantic! You may be surprised to know that nearly 1 in 2 people live with a chronic illness in the U.S.A. That means a whole lot of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Love, Marriage, Person w/ Illness, Person w/ lll Spouse, What's New?
« Older Posts