I was recently diagnosed with Celiacs Disease. I had a routine colonoscopy. Afterward the Doctor came in and told me my stomach and lower intestines were a bit red. She took a biopsy. I was so relaxed from the propranolol that I never gave the biopsy another thought. As in I forgot about it. Side note: I completely understand why Michael Jackson became addicted to the stuff. Best. Sleep. Ever. Just sayin'.
Two weeks later I received a phone call saying the biopsy came back positive for Celiacs Disease consistent with auto immune. In other words, Lupus is the non-prejudice, free love disease. It loves anyone and likes to keep on giving. Honestly, I was blown away. This is a game changer. Like huge. I was told years ago I was gluten intolerant. For two years I ate like a caveman, dropped 30 something pounds and felt great. Slowly I started to add foods back into my diet (i.e. all things white and scrumptious). If it were a country song it would be "gluten won". As the old saying goes "the rest is history".
So here I am like a deer caught in headlights trying to sort this all out. I have read everything I can get my hands on. And let me tell you it's confusing as all get out! Evidentially I have to change my toothpaste, my makeup, my shampoo, my pots & pans, my utensils, my diet. Essentially I have to change my life. I can't go back to all of the deliciousness gluten provides to my pallet . If I do? I'll remain sick or risk upping my Lupus game.
As I sat cross eyed trying to sift through anything I could read on the Internet (and or pin from Pinterest) I made a decision. I will treat gluten as the Enemy. There is no other way. I am weak. I have a southern husband who loves my cooking: pies, cakes, breads, stuffing, dumplings. There's just too much temptation. Yes gluten is the devil himself in my mind.
Then I heard a voice in my head say "Elizabeth, you can do this. You did this for me two decades ago". Ha! Jesus is right! When I first gave my life to Christ it was all rainbows and butterflies. Then I realized everything, and I mean everything, in my life had to change. It became apparent that my sinful nature would spiritually kill me. I had to find new friends, quit gossiping, partying, treat my husband as the head of our household, stop envying what others had, love people I did not only not love but couldn't stand. I began reading my bible. Which most days was like reading Chinese.
Little by little the sin was stripped from my life. Months, years, and decades have gone by and I not only read, believe, and understand God's word but I have fallen in love with my Savior. He is my everything. He is my life line. He literally rescued me from death.
Like my Enemy gluten if I go back to my old life? I will be very sick. I will be unable to live my life to its fullest. My destiny will be grim. If one tiny bit of sin or gluten get into my system I will be miserable.
So bring it on gluten. I will be free from you. I don't really understand what I'm reading or how to make sense of all the rules. I've got the celiac app right next to my blue letter bible app on my iPhone. Ironically, apples are not recommended. Wish me luck--by faith I'm stepping into the abys.
“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to
do it, for him it is sin.” -James 4:17
