I got my hair cut and colored today. Such a welcomed luxury. My life these days revolves around nothing luxurious.
I stared at myself in the mirror from the salon chair. "Who is that woman?" was my first thought.
If you didn't know my medical story you'd think "Wow, she's really let herself go during her Father's illness". A valid observation. Hospital food, takeout, and an irregular schedule have wreaked havoc on my normally, somewhat, healthy lifestyle.
The reality is I'm on a drug that makes me blowup like the Goodyear blimp. I'm also on a drug that suppresses my immune system to keep my disease at bay. It's working.
So, yes, when I looked in the mirror I was a little depressed. Surprisingly, though, I was thankful. My Dad has active MRSA and CDIFF. Somehow I've managed to remain relatively healthy.
I was thankful that I recognized this is, like all things in life, temporal. I was thankful that The Lord has helped me see what's important in life. To be able to differentiate the important from the not as important.
Honestly, I was nervous to be in my Dad's quarantined ICU room. Even more so being in his MRSA infested apartment as we continue cleaning out and packing up. {And} then I had the revelation "Either way you win, Elizabeth". If I get sick and die from MRSA or CDIF, or even Lupus, I win. Insert smiley face. I'll be in heaven.
Sometimes you just have to live life. You can't worry about what you can't control. {But} you can control what you worry about. It's just easier to lay it at Jesus' feet. Let Him do the worrying for you. Offer it up to Him. Put Him in charge of "it".
I think I'm probably the only person in this country who thought Disney's "Let it go" was ridiculous. Gasp! Did she just say that? When you let things go rather than laying them at Jesus' feet you risk the enemy getting a foothold into your life. The enemy is the prince of the air. "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places"- Ephesians 6:12. Think about it. If you "Let it go" where's it going? It's flying around the unseen waiting for the enemy to catch it.
I once had a dear friend and bible teacher who gave me wonderful advice. She told me to cover myself in the blood of Jesus and put on the full Armour of God every time I left my home. When I first started the practice, nearly a decade ago, my kids and husband thought I was crazy. After years of watching me trust that Jesus has me covered they don't think I'm so crazy anymore. We have to lay our junk at Jesus' feet. There is no other way. Once we grasp the fact that He really does carry our burdens we are able to not sweat the small stuff as much.
Coming home from Virginia the other night we witnessed the most beautiful sunset. It was astounding. The sky was blood red. I had to smile. As I left the hospital I covered myself in the blood of Jesus and put on my Armour. I felt like that sky was reflecting all the fire's I've been trying to manage since my Dad's illness. I'd like to think that sunset was The Lord's love letter to me. His "signal flag", so to speak, to let me know "I've got you covered".
I think I'm probably the only person in this country who thought Disney's "Let it go" was ridiculous. Gasp! Did she just say that? When you let things go rather than laying them at Jesus' feet you risk the enemy getting a foothold into your life. The enemy is the prince of the air. "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places"- Ephesians 6:12. Think about it. If you "Let it go" where's it going? It's flying around the unseen waiting for the enemy to catch it.
I once had a dear friend and bible teacher who gave me wonderful advice. She told me to cover myself in the blood of Jesus and put on the full Armour of God every time I left my home. When I first started the practice, nearly a decade ago, my kids and husband thought I was crazy. After years of watching me trust that Jesus has me covered they don't think I'm so crazy anymore. We have to lay our junk at Jesus' feet. There is no other way. Once we grasp the fact that He really does carry our burdens we are able to not sweat the small stuff as much.
Coming home from Virginia the other night we witnessed the most beautiful sunset. It was astounding. The sky was blood red. I had to smile. As I left the hospital I covered myself in the blood of Jesus and put on my Armour. I felt like that sky was reflecting all the fire's I've been trying to manage since my Dad's illness. I'd like to think that sunset was The Lord's love letter to me. His "signal flag", so to speak, to let me know "I've got you covered".
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil."-Ephesians 6:10-11
