But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Ruth 1:16
Last year was one rough year! It was as if everything bad was coming our way all at once. On Christmas in 2015, I lost two very important people in my life who were my mentors and who I called my mama and papa. It was a time of transition.
Within eight days, we had a puppy…a puppy. The pup couldn’t be crated due to major separation issues. It took me a month of working with him and never leaving him before we found success. He had health problems too. After trips to the veterinarian, we realized he had food allergies. He had to be on a prescription dog food and treats long term. This made it more challenging to train because we couldn’t use the treats that were considered high-value to get his attention in exciting situations. Plus, when I’d take him to train, I’d have to keep a sharp eye out that he didn’t get any treats dropped by the other dog owners or the problems would start again.
By the beginning of March, I had shingles. I was still working with the pup and walking him twice a day, teaching the boys, and trying to keep going. I couldn’t remember things, I was exhausted, I was super sensitive, and basically couldn’t wait to get better. I had some weird things happening!
It was July, and I was still dealing with those symptoms. I kept blaming the shingles. I came across an article about silent warning signs of Lyme disease. Most of them were me! I was dealing with what seemed like a sinus infection, so when I went to get help with that, I asked to be tested for the Lyme disease after a doctor friend told me to do that immediately. Sure enough, it was positive and I started on antibiotics.
Over the next several months, my mind seemed to go downhill. It was so scary! I couldn’t think of words that I was looking for and I couldn’t remember anything. I was writing EVERYTHING down. Thank God that my doctor friends studied into the disease for me and came up with foods to eat and what to drink to help me. I made an appointment with a specialist, but wouldn’t be seeing him for several months.
Now, remember when all this was happening, I didn’t know if I was coming or going, yet I felt like God was calling me to start up this blog. What? Not only was I “allergic” to technology and unable to think of everyday words, He wanted me to write! I felt like I just needed to shut-up and obey, but I would post something and say, “Did that make sense at all?”
Meanwhile, my hubby’s work suffered an explosion that had him scrambling for months and didn’t allow us to get away. Plus, my great-aunt’s health was declining and we ended up losing her. My oldest was working on becoming Eagle and my youngest was working on crossing over into Boy Scouts. Am I forgetting anything?
I’m not complaining with what I’m telling you, I’m celebrating! That season is over and God is promoting us! Almost exactly one year later, we went away, and I came back a whole new person. I felt healed…body, mind, and spirit! I now actually thank God for the Lyme disease. It taught me so very much about stress, eating right, and keeping Him in sight.
I learned what amazing friends I had who encouraged and got me through it. By the way, one of those people told me about apple cider vinegar and pomegranate juice. My mind was so much clearer! That’s what I’m saying…God never let me go through any of what I was talking about alone. He already had people in place to help me. He didn’t take away the problems immediately, but He did carry me through it. I can’t even begin to describe the many miracles and blessings I experienced during that year of painful growth.
Most of all, I realized how blessed I was with my hubby and boys. They were my rocks! They showed me what loyalty means. My hubby stepped in as my knight in shining armor and the boys stepped up and showered me with love and support. We were going through a season of testing, but we were going through it together! It was the year that I grew the most of any other year I’ve lived. I look at life a whole new way and my family is stronger for it!
The character trait for today is Loyalty-using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to those I serve (definition from characterfirst.com).
Today, if you’re struggling, get excited and keep praising the Lord because something big is about to happen to you! Appreciate those who show loyalty to you. My family doesn’t give up and God never gives up. There is no greater gift! Accept loyalty with gratitude and know that showing loyalty is a privilege.
Here is a poem/prayer that I wrote down years ago, but I don’t know where it came from. I pray this with my family. Maybe you’d like too also:
God, please grant us the blessings of sweet unity to You; the joy of togetherness, the comfort of each other’s warmth in the wintry days of life. The peace of unconditional acceptance, in spite of failures and flaws, the sigh of relief at burdens shared. Please grant us the freedom of truthful expression, a spiritual harmony, and hope for the future because we can face them as one. Please grant us listening ears to unspoken pain, compassionate eyes to see each other’s secret need, gentle words to heal emotional wounds and a love so fiercely loyal that nothing on earth can sever its bond. With all these blessings and more, God the Father please join and hold us together through all eternity to come. Amen.
