(this is an adaption of a paper that I wrote for one of my professors earlier in the semester)
It has been 12 months since I got sick. 12 months of constant pain. 12 months of doctors’ appointments and medication. 12 months of explaining to friends and strangers. 12 months of fighting every day. I never want to pretend it’s easy – it’s not. But in addition to all the awful parts, it’s been 12 months of relying on God’s faithfulness daily. 12 months of learning to surrender. 12 months of a body reminding me to yearn for heaven. 12 months of seeing the people of God rally around in support. 12 months of sharing how He’s gotten me through. 12 months of constant mental repetition of Truth. 12 months of remembering that the Christian life is about dying to self. While being sick is changing how I think about my future (i.e. what jobs I will have, whether or not I will ever be a wife and a mother, what my body will be able to do in 5 years), I am reminded that my illness has in no way changed God’s plans for my future. Suffering on this earth is temporary (even though it doesn’t feel very temporary) and the Christian life is not to be confused with the American dream.
Wow, Callie! That is such an encouraging post! I have been fighting little battles here in Mexico and sometimes I feel like giving up. However, I have been reminded in so many ways (most recently your post) that God doesn't always give us the answers, He just asks us to be faithful.
ReplyDeleteI'm praying for you, friend! Rest in Christ's infinite love!