Tag: Forgiveness

Life With Chronic Illness

Today’s a new day! What do you do when you don’t get better?”

I became chronically sick twenty-three years ago, after being diagnosed with several types of crippling arthritis. It would be a year later after taking many experimental medications, that I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Then over the years, I would be be diagnosed with the following: Young Onset Parkinson’s, Myasthenia Gravis, Gastroparesis, Covid Long-Hauler, Complex Headaches, and recently Early Onset Dementia. Oh, and a stroke several years ago. It truly has been a crazy beautiful health journey.

I became a Christian when I was ten years old. I will be the first to admit, I did not always live the Christian life in my early teenage years. When I first became ill, some people in the Christian community began to weaponize their faith against me. They would say that I wasn’t faithful enough, or that I must have some type of unresolved sin in my life. Sadly all these years later, I still have some Christians screaming that in my ear on a weekly basis. At times over the years, I felt judged and disliked by many in the Christian community. That is never how Christianity, or any faith, should be. For me, it wasn’t just what conversations were being had—but also how.

The sad part is that the people who wanted me to not lose faith tried to make it harder to connect with God and other Christians. Some people over the years have made the excuses, “Well they mean well.” I truly do not believe that. I believe it actually shows their true heart. I am thankful that during this crazy beautiful health journey, God has surrounded me with some amazing people who have helped me through this difficult season. I am also thankful I have never lost my faith during this journey.

As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, my goal is to not allow those negative voices to have any influence on my life. I also decided early on in my health journey to help others walking through their own health journey.

I share all this because I know that I’m not alone, and I want others to know that they aren’t either. When you’re feeling attacked, beaten up, remember that God loves and is with you. I am sorry if anyone has made you feel like that isn’t the case. What people believe is their choice, but no one has the right to weaponize their faith. That sort of human hurt harms those in the disabled/chronically ill community that may be struggling with their faith.

In Isaiah 54:10 we read, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” Being chronically ill can very much feel as if everything is being shaken up and changed—at least that’s how I have felt at times over the years.

I no longer know what each day will feel like, physically, let alone have a clue about what I may be able to do in the future. But God’s love doesn’t change when we are in tough situations (or any situation.) He is still with us. He knows the truth of our situation and still loves us.

Some passages that resonated with me, and may be appreciated by those reading this post, are those about us being fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139: 13- 14), Psalm 86-15, and Ephesians 1:5-6. That is about YOU. You are loved beyond words. Think about John 3:16. That’s not just for the able bodied and minded, it’s for ALL of us.

If you can relate to anything I have written, the following are a few things that have helped me. Just remember this journey is different for everyone.

*Don’t bottle things up. I encourage everyone to find a trusted friend, pastor, counselor or support group to share your feelings with. It may be difficult at first, but I promise you’ll be glad you did.

*Take this current season of life slowly. Remember, life is a marathon not a sprint.

*Do not give up on the Christian community or the Church based on some misguided people. Remember, there are no perfect people or churches.

*Find out what works for you in your journey with health issues and your walk with God. One size doesn’t fit us all.

*Spend time in the Bible and listening to worship music. Both have helped bring peace and clarity to my life during my health journey.

* Remember, sometimes God does not give us quick answers to our prayer request. I encourage you to embrace the lessons God is trying to teach you during this difficult season. All of us whether healthy or chronically ill have a different journey. If chronic illness is currently part of journey, you are just as worthy as anyone else. Please embrace that truth today.

I hope and pray this post will encourage and challenge everyone who has taken the time to read it. Thank you! ~OC

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Overcoming the Storms

Good Morning! Here is another “Lost Writings from OC.” This was written in May 2019.

Today’s a new day! As we walk through this journey called life, we will experience different storms. As I have walked through my own crazy beautiful health journey, I have learned a thing or two about overcoming the challenges of life. Here are a few of those lessons.

1. Spend time in God’s Word daily.

The Psalms offer great comfort for storms. Consider reading one Psalm per day the next time you face a storm.

2. Keep worshiping God.

Keep a worship playlist going while you drive, work or exercise. I often have worship music playing in my hospital room.

You might feel tempted to neglect corporate worship with others as you navigate through the storms. If possible, try to stay plugged into your local church or life group. Keep worshiping with others. This can unleash your faith and give you strength.

3. Spend time with encouraging people who will point you to God and give you hope.

We were not meant to navigate life’s storms alone.  One of the most powerful secrets for overcoming the storms of life is finding support from other people. You will be amazed at the people God might use to help you through your season of challenges.

4. Make time for life-giving activities.

We often neglect our hobbies and passions in difficult times. More than ever, you need time to decompress during life’s storms.

Carve out time to pursue your passions and hobbies. Make time to take a walk, or pursue your favorite activities.  These creative diversions are essential for calming your limbic system and overcoming the storms of life.

5. Take care of your body.

As much as you can, aim to eat well, drink plenty of water, keep your body moving, and rest as much as you can.

6. Ask other people to pray for you.

Those prayers can help you overcome the battles surrounding you.

7. Keep talking to God.

He is with you. Talk to him all day.  Ask for his help. He wants to carry you through your storm.

8. Find refuge in the shadow of the Lord’s wings.

Imagine a baby bird curled up in the shelter of its mother’s wings. There is no fear in this place.

Psalm 57:1 reads, “Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by.”

Every time you feel battered by the storms of life, imagine the Lord’s arms holding you.  As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I often imagine God holding me close. This can give you strength, peace, comfort, and courage.

Remind yourself that God is your hiding place. Ask him to care for you and comfort you.  He wants to be your source of comfort.

9. Watch for God’s movement in your life.

Psalm 36:7 reads, “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.”

Ask God to help you become more aware of his movement in your life.  Instead of looking only at the storms surrounding you, look to the Lord.  Watch for what he is doing. He is with you. He will not abandon you during the storms of life.

When life is tough, I often take a few moments before falling asleep at night to reflect on the ways God worked in my life throughout the day. I reflect on the entire day, from the moment I woke up until the moment I lay my head down. Often, during those times, God shows me where he was working. These moments encourage me and remind me that God is with me during every storm.

10. Soak in the truth about God’s love for you.

Overcoming the storms of life begins by recognizing that God is always good, and his love for us is unending.  Resist the urge to take offense or believe that God does not love you.  Instead, soak in the truth about God’s love for you daily.

You are the apple of God’s eye. You are his beloved child. He is a good Father, and he wants to care for you as you navigate through the storms of life.

I pray as you continue to walk through the storms of life, you will continue to lean into the amazing promises of God. ~OC

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Happiness Giver

Today’s a new day! I believe we all want our lives to be focused on things that matter. Deep down we all understand that constantly pursuing our own happiness leaves us with little fulfillment in life. And we also know that when we help others, we experience happiness in a real way. Serving others just makes us feel good.

We thrive in community and I believe part of our happiness is directly related to the strength of our relationships. That’s why serving others and giving with joy is one of the secrets of experiencing true happiness in this life.

At the end of our lives do we really want to be known for our book collection (I really enjoy books) or how great we were at sports or the arts? No, I think we will want to be remembered for how we served others and for being a happiness giver.

That’s why now is the time to break through our fears and think about how we can use our gifts, talents and skills to help serve others in our communities and beyond. ~OC

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My Why

Good Morning! Here is another “Lost Writings from OC.” This was written in 2020.

Today’s a new day! Writing has been part of my crazy beautiful health journey. Writing has allowed me to see life in a different way and experience healing in many parts of my life. Writing has allowed me to experience the following:

God has put me on this earth to love and serve others. To encourage others. To hopefully inspire people to think about their own life journey.

God created me to truly experience life. To embrace the good…and bad moments of this journey. I am here to learn. Just a little advice, we should never stop learning.

I am here to overcome my physical limitations. I am here to transform inspiration into action.

I believe in living a peaceful life. Peace within myself. Peace with those I have disagreements with.

I no longer expect or demand to be understood. I understand myself. Most importantly, God understands me and still chooses to love me.

I am not alone when I connect with God and the amazing people He has put in my life. Those relationships fuel me.

I ache and grieve alongside the pain and suffering of others. I empathize with those who suffer.

I seek to overcome suffering by finding its meaning, purpose and lessons.

I no longer force my beliefs on others. I choose to show respect to those with different views, opinions and beliefs.

I choose not to be selfish. I love sharing and helping others. Serving others helps me experience God’s love in a meaningful and real way.

I choose to let God write my story, even though there are times I want to steal the pen.

I choose to be awake. To be present. I am called. I feel God’s presence within me. I can truly be me because He lives in me. ~OC

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True Friendship

Today’s a new day! My question of the day is, “What is a true friend?”

For me, a true friend will never, ever leave you no matter what life throws at you. It’s not important whether they are miles apart from you, as a true friend will always have you close to their heart. So distance never really matter.

Real and true friendship involves freedom of choice, accountability, truth, and forgiveness. Real friendship looks at the heart, not just the “packaging.” Genuine friendship loves for love’s sake, not just for what it can get in return. True friendships can be both challenging and rewarding. It risks, it overlooks faults, and it loves unconditionally, but it also involves being truthful, even though the truth may hurt.

Relationships in real life involve different levels of friendships, and that’s okay. Human beings were designed by God for lasting relationships. Often this world offers only vague, empty relationships. But God wants us to have true vibrant friendships here on earth. Friends are the best people whom we can share our thoughts, feelings, our success, failures, secrets, dreams, fears, hopes and everything. A friend is the best person who can safeguard our deepest secret and yet will not misjudge us or disown us. This is the greatest asset which gives us the courage to share our feelings.

A friend is a real reflection of our character and personality. Friends can also be a great source of inspiration and can take us to great levels. I believe friendships are essential to our happiness in life. Although the nature of friendship cannot be fully described, finding a true friend is a priceless gift that should be cherished at all phases of life.

The following is for all of my true friends who have walked with me through the sunshine and rain:

Friends are far, friends are near,
Friends will be there to lend an ear,
They listen, laugh, and care,
But most of all, they’re always there,
Through thick and thin,ups and downs, True friends are always around,
For big hugs and beautiful smiles,
They’ll travel to you even though the storms
They’ll always be there to hold your hand during the toughest times,
Anytime, no matter if it’s day or night,
You really know when your friends are sincere, When they always show up to lend a listening ear and a helping hand. I am thankful for all of my faithful friends. ~OC

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It’s Time

Today’s a new day! As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, I wanted to share the following with you. ~OC

Today, It’s our calling to support our friends, colleagues, and family members and to stand against senseless acts of violence and systemic racism. We need each other now more than ever if this nation is to ever truly move forward and heal the broken systems established years ago.

It’s time we stand in solidarity as individuals and communities to change a system that has been filled with racism for way too long.

It’s time we educate ourselves.

It’s time we change our broken systems.

It’s time we respect our black brothers, sisters, and People of Color.

It’s time we demand equal rights for all.

It’s time we allow the destruction for powerful reform to take place.

It’s time to accept and respect each other regardless of our differences.

It’s time we stopped using hate to conquer hate.

It’s time we truly love our black brothers and sisters. And not just for the month of February.

It’s time we bring real change to America and beyond.

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Rise Above It All

Today’s a new day! Tragedy is written into every human story. Not a single one of us will escape it. We will all experience hardships that will test us on this journey called life. People will shock you with their capacity for cruelty. But be sure of this: speaking truth will be most challenging when life is the most difficult. Courage is necessary to remain a faithful witness despite the hardships of life. Cynicism will always be ready to creep into our hearts. But through it all, I encourage you to rise above it. ~OC

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A Friday Prayer

Dear God, today’s a new day, a chance for a new start. Yesterday is gone and with it any regrets, mistakes, or failures we may have experienced. Today’s a good day to be glad and give thanks, and we do, Lord. Thank you for today, a new opportunity to love, serve and be all that you desire us to be. Use us today to be peacemakers. We pray all this in the powerful name of Jesus. ~Amen

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Not Your Enemy

Today’s a new day! You may consider me your enemy. But I am not your enemy. I do not hate you. I do not wish you harm. I do not foster harmful designs against you.

At the same time, we may not be able to be friends. If you deny people the right to have their own opinions, to freely share their opinions, attack them when they do, you may not be a safe person for my friends, family or myself to be around and we may not be able to be friends. If you want to deny people the right to freely worship in their own way, you may not be a safe person for my friends, family or myself to be around. We may not be able to be friends. If you want to share hate and spread lies, we may not be able to be friends. I could go on, but hopefully you get the point. These statements do not mean that I wish harm to you. And this doesn’t necessarily mean we can never talk over a meal. If you are willing to engage in good faith, we can try and we will see how things go. We may be able to be acquaintances and perhaps even friendly, but it will take a lot of time and effort before it’s possible for us to be friends.

Even though we may not be able to be friends, I am not your enemy. And so know that If you are hungry or in need, I will do my best to help you find food and have your needs met. I will work for a society where you have access to affordable health care, and a job that pays a living wage. I want you to have access to a good education, and to clean water and air. I want you to have freedom of religion and speech. I want you to read the books you want to read. I do not want you unjustly detained or imprisoned. I do not want you to be harassed when you walk down the street or go into a store. I want you to be able to flourish. I do not wish you harm. I am not your enemy.

If you can manage to not do harm to the people I love and care about; if you can work for these same things for the people I care about, we can begin a relationship. We do not need to agree on exactly how we solve our society’s problems, but we need to be able to speak with respect and kindness. Because I am not your enemy. ~OC

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A Thursday Prayer

Good Morning! A Thursday prayer for my friends:

Dear God, I lift up my friends to you. I pray you would give their hearts rest in the things that are weighing heavy on their lives this morning. I pray you would open their eyes to see how amazing they are and how much they mean to the people that love them.

I pray you would bless their families, their homes, that their households would flourish and that they would have more than enough to meet all of their needs.

I pray you would bless them in their pursuit of their hopes and dreams and that you would open doors that they need opened to get there.

I pray you would bless their relationships: their friendships, their marriages, their connections with their kids and their family members.

I pray you would cover my friends with your presence and your peace, that you would draw them close to you and that they would feel your love.

I am so thankful for each of them oh Lord. Thank you for bringing them into my life. My heart is full. ~Amen

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