I’d love to tell you I’ve decked all the halls and the stocking are hung by the chimney with care. I’d love to tell you we’ve been spending our evenings as a family all cuddled up with cocoa and Christmas movies. I’d even be happy to tell you I’m on schedule to have all the gifts bought and wrapped and the menu planned for Christmas Eve with our family.
Unfortunately, I have to report a whole different story…..
There’s a level of pain that’s taunting. I don’t know if it’s a 4 or 6 or which one of those goofy faces on the pain chart. It’s like having someone poke you hard with their finger over and over and over. It starts to get achy and oh, so annoying. You know the pain? It continues till you want to turn and slap the person poking you but you can’t because it’s your own body that’s the perpetrator.
That pain’s been settling in like the 30-degree temperatures.
I turned to slap the poker. Well, that was my intention but it came out quite different.
It looked more like yelling at my son about laundry when he walked in the door from work and was trying to eat his lunch. It also resembled crying/fussing at my husband because I have so much to do and can’t synchronize my energy levels and available time. Then it was followed by guilt from attacking the ones that love me the most and do so much for me.
Yeah, pretty much a good 30-minute meltdown. I took my time crying about all the preparations I’ve wanted to do and haven’t been able to accomplish. I threw in some tears over the things that most definitely have to be done and seem to be running quite behind schedule.
Two days ago I talked to one of the sweetest friends I know and she was having her own struggles. This time of the year seems to bring out the best and worst in us.
[clickToTweet tweet=”This time of the year brings out the best and worst in us. #chronicillness #invisibleillness ” quote=”This time of the year brings out the best and worst in us. ” theme=”style2″]
We focus on showing love to others and honoring Christ with our lives as we celebrate His birthday. But then we tend to beat ourselves up because we feel like we’re falling so short of the mark. It’s so hard to remember that it’s when we’re at our weakest that Christ can shine through!
He may show up in an added dose of strength to complete something you want to do. You may see Him in the actions of a loved one as they care for you. You might just hear His voice when you’re on the phone with a friend like I did.
Whatever your burdens are today, please lay them at the feet of the cross and live in His strength – not your own!
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
This song has been running through my head all day – wonderful reminder! Enjoy!
