Small Group Starts Tomorrow!

I'm so excited to share that I am leading a new small group for people who live with chronic illness or pain! We start tomorrow! God is SO good!

God gave me a dream, a burden several years ago for starting a group where people who live with chronic pain could go to share their frustrations and to get encouragement. A place to feel safe, to feel loved and understood. I kept putting it off for many reasons - I wasn't emotionally ready, I haven't had a place to hold the meeting, I just didn't feel "qualified."

Finally, I realized that although I'll never feel equipped, the time is right. I know where we are weak, He is strong.  I know He has been preparing me for several months.  He placed several people in my life who also need this group - to show me how much it is needed. He led me to small groups where I have been loved and nurtured.  He's drawn me closer to Him, growing my love for intercessory prayer.

I sent in my application for a small group during this summer's semester at my church, Church of the Highlands. I still didn't have a place to hold the group or a co-leader. My small group was approved....and my mom volunteered to be my co-leader and to hold the meetings in her home! Green lights from God for sure!

So, tomorrow we begin! I have applied to affiliate with Rest Ministries' HopeKeeper groups. You can find a link in the sidebar here on my page. Awesome materials and support. This summer I'm taking it week by week and writing my own material. God has been so faithful to give me ideas!

We meet on Wednesdays: fellowship begins at 9:30, meeting starts at 10am.  You are welcome! Send me an email and I'll send directions. we'd love to have you join us. We meet for six weeks this summer, take a break and will hopefully continue in the fall.

I'd appreciate your prayer support! I'll keep you posted on how we're doing.

 Love and gentle hugs to all!
Lisa

The Spoon Theory written by Christine Miserandino

It is very hard for someone who deals with fatigue to explain what it is like. You've probably heard the "worse than the worst case of the flu you've ever had" description - but that falls short.


Some time ago I stumbled across this description by Christine Miserandino - it is awesome:

The Spoon Theory written by Christine Miserandino

Posted using ShareThis

Christine's website "But You Don't Look Sick" is listed in the sidebar under "Favorite Websites" - she has tons of great info! Enjoy!  Let me know what you think!

Blessings,
Lisa

Stepping Out in Faith

God has been talking to me for several years about something He wanted me to do...to be honest, I heard Him but came up with so many "reasons" I couldn't do what He asked.  Like Moses, I offered Him suggestions on who would be better - why I wasn't His best choice - why I wasn't ready....but He kept nudging me. He was patient with me, giving me confidence in some of the areas I felt lacking. But He is very persistent - have you noticed that? When God has something for you to do, often He keeps knocking and knocking - God doesn't forget!  :)

This year I realized early on that He was preparing me in earnest for this job He's been asking me to do.  I enrolled in four small groups and each prepared me in a different way: my smocking group taught me to laugh again, to open up, and gave me a precious group of women to pray with and for; my Prayer Training group taught me about intercessory prayer and drawing closer to God; the Israel group helped me open up more and reminded me time is short!; and my Daniel study group gave me opportunity to dig deep into His Word and brought me to a extraordinary group of women who I grew to dearly love. God amazed me week after week by connecting these groups with common threads:  a verse that kept coming up or a topic discussed in two groups the same week.

Earlier this month, I told God that, although I still don't feel "ready" or "worthy" of His mission for me, I'm ready to step out on faith that He will be strong where I am weak. I signed up to lead a small group at my church (Church of the Highlands) for people who live with chronic pain. Its a support group, not just for Highlanders, but for my community. He has affirmed my decision in so many ways! He is so good to me! Our group starts the first week in June and will be at mom's house on Wednesday mornings. I'd appreciate your prayers!

When I was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia, I went to a medical support group and left very depressed. I vowed never to go back. I desperately needed people to talk to who understood what I was going through but did NOT need a pity party! This small group will be affiliated with Rest Ministries' Hopekeepers - the purpose is to offer hope to people living with chronic illness and/or chronic pain. Go to their website to learn more information - http://www.restministries.org/.

Please give me feedback! What do you need? What interests you?  Soon I'll be sharing stories and photos about our gardening adventure this year, about my smocking adventures, and our pets as well as things God is teaching me.

God loves you! And so do I!  Blessings to all - Lisa

I'm Back!

After nearly two and a half years, I'm resuming my blog! Yay!

I wanted to share something I've learned in my own journey with fatigue and pain - sometimes the best way to GET more energy is to GIVE some! I know it sounds backwards but it works!

I found this fascinating quote today:
Although you may think that volunteering will drain all your energy, you may find that it actually can ease physical pain. And sometimes, even if you are in more physical pain, you may discover that the mental and spiritual joy you gained still makes the physical pain worth it!restministries.com, Volunteering Can Ease Pain, May 2010
You should read the whole article.

In my own life, I know when I choose to use some precious energy to help a friend, minister to the youth at church, or participate in a prayer walk, I walk away refreshed in my Spirit. I may be physically exhausted but it "feels good."

I also know that when I feel depressed or anxious, giving of myself to someone else takes my attention off of ME and I feel better! Sometimes when we focus on the pain, our focus so narrows that is ALL we see.

If you are feeling down, anxious, fatigued or having a painful day, try looking around to see who can use your help! Even a phone call to check on a friend will lift your day. If you can physically get out and do something to help someone, even better! It works, I promise!
Check back in every day - I'm planning to share lots of lessons learned!

Blessings!

Good Day Dilemma

What is a "good day?" A good day is one that is pain-free - or relatively pain-free. Its also fatigue-free or at least less fatigue. It is remission - and maybe you are lucky enough to find yourself in a string of them! Praise God! You actually have some energy! You forgot what it feels like to "feel good!"....oh, there are so many places to take this topic!! : ) We'll cover how to get to them later but today what is on my mind is - "what do I do now that I feel good?"

The first questions that come to mind are often - "Is it gone?"..."How long will this last?"..."How did I get here? (what did I do to achieve this?)"...but it always comes down to this - "what do I do?"

There's always a massively long list of "things to do when I feel better." But it is divided into two lists really - the things I SHOULD do and the things I WANT to do! Or the chores/work/things-people-expect-me-to-do and the fun/I-want-to-celebrate-feeling-good things. Such choices can bring so much stress!! So, which do you choose? Why? (Please share in comments!)

Here's my answer: both!!! No, that's not a cheating answer...its a realistic one. But the real key is - whatever you do, do it in moderation. I've learned that going "all out" after either choice leads right back to pain and fatigue quickly. There is a time for that - but that is another topic all together! : )

There was a time that I stubbornly chose only the fun activities when I felt well. (Now that was hard to admit.) But it is true. I felt good so infrequently that when I did - I made sure I had fun. When you have small children - I'd spend my fun time having fun with them. Let them see Mom with some energy! Or spend it doing something with your spouse. Or with girlfriends... Or doing something you enjoyed "before." Just remember there is a price for overdoing! And, most of all, if you choose FUN, then don't feel guilty! It just ruins it!

Sometimes, it feels good to get some things accomplished that you usually don't feel up to - like a painting project or scrubbing the bathroom really well or catching up on the laundry (REALLY catching up!) or "deep cleaning" a whole room or planting a garden. That sense of accomplishment is important! Just remember, there is a price for overdoing! (where have I heard that before?) Catching up on filing or cleaning out a kitchen cabinet is boring but the result feels good!

I've learned to try to do some of both - or alternate them. If I haven't felt well in a long time - its always something fun I choose. If I find myself with the blessing of a string of "good days," I sprinkle in some chores/errands I haven't been able to get to. The most important thing I've learned is to praise God for the good days! And thank Him for them! Enjoy them no matter what you choose to do.

So what verse has God given me for this topic? Ecclesiastes 3:1-8...it begins "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:"

And remember - this is the ONLY day you will feel good....nor is it the last! Don't try to do everything in one day - save some for the next good day...because it will come! God bless!

Rest? How?

One thing I had to learn early in my fibromyalgia journey was how to rest.... or to "chill"...to practice, at times, what Rhonda Anderson (co-founder of Creative Memories) calls "planned neglect." Sometimes you have to purposely ignore the things around you that are screaming "do me next!!!!" in order to get the rest your body needs (or is demanding!). It is a hard balance to achieve...rarely do I feel like I'm in the "sweet spot" of perfect balance. There is always something demanding attention - household chores, husband, children, other family, church activities, children's school activities, work...
I found the best way for me to get rest when I need it is to read. I have always loved to read! The past three years I was fortunate enough to work with several women who also love to read - they shared a lot of great books with me (thanks, Leslie & Rebecca!). My favorites are in a list here - I've provided links to my favorite authors too! I'll be adding more books I've read as I remember them! : )
I usually draw a really hot bath and soak in the tub to read if my muscles are really hurting a lot. If I'm more fatigued than in pain, I prop up in the bed and read or sit in the recliner. I have loved to read in the bathtub since I was in elementary school! When we built our home, one of the most important factors was the placement of the house based on the view from my garden tub! It looks out over 70 acres or so of woods! Every season is beautiful.
Another thing I do to "enforce" rest is watch a movie - nothing suspenseful or too heavy...a light romantic comedy or interesting drama. Sometimes it is an old favorite to go to sleep to!
Of course, sometimes sleep is the only option - then its either on top of the bed with a blanket (feels more like a nap when you are not under the covers, doesn't it?) or on the couch "watching a movie."
When you deal with fatigue on a daily basis, you have to learn to give your body the rest it needs and not feel guilty about it. If you feel guilty about it, you can't really rest. so you just have to accept the fact that you have to do it and DO IT!! If you are fighting the need to rest or feeling guilty about it, here are some verses to ponder:
Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Psalms 116:7 "Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you."

Soaring

My journey with chronic pain and fatigue began in 1991. It has been a hard hard road, but one full of blessings. It took me a LONG time to begin to see the blessings though...its hard so much of the time to see past the pain and/or fatigue. But since those early years, God has given me more than I could have ever imagined then. Though still colored by pain and fatigue, my life is so full and rich.

How do you make it through days and days....then weeks and weeks...then years and years of pain, knowing the future likely holds more of the same? In a word - God! His Word is full of Hope and Promise - His very Presence a comfort and peace.

God gave me a verse years ago, even before I had fibromyalgia, that has always given me hope and strength. It is Isaiah 40:31 - "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Over the years, God has led me to deeper and deeper meanings of this verse - and also opened my eyes to the verses just BEFORE this one - starting with verse 28: "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall" First - that GOD will never grow tired or weary, no matter how weary and tired I am, no matter how much I feel like giving up - HE NEVER WILL! I can always lean on him for strength. When I am weak, HE is strong! And even more than that, He gives ME power! Is that not awesome!

That's the meaning of my blog title - I soar on God's power and strength, even with a broken wing! Praise God! I pray that I can be an encouragement to others out there who struggle with the same or similary issues in their lives. What verse(s) has/have God given to you for your struggles with pain? Please share! God Bless!