Chronic pain is well…chronic. Chronic and I are not friends, but we have become neighbors. The last three years have been very rough for me physically. 5 surgeries, fibromyalgia, several autoimmune diseases and other ailments have drastically changed the way I have live. A few of these truths resonate so much for me that I believe they are something we all should do and know, sick or not. These lessons are something that God is pressing on my heart to pursue regardless of my circumstances.

1. Vulnerability is a strength!

“We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection. ~Brene Brown. Letting people “in”,  in this season has brought a depth to my relationships that I have never know before. I have friends in my life who are truly “family” and family who I am closer to than ever before as I share with them my needs and weaknesses. My vulnerability, weakness and humility has birthed a richness I might not have ever experienced. My hero in regards to vulnerability is Brene Brown, if you don’t know who she is, go find out! Her favorite talk on vulnerability is a much watch, over and over. You can see it here: https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability

2. Knowing our true worth allows love in and out of our lives.

Independence? That’s middle class blasphemy. We are all dependent on one another, ever soul of us on earth. ~ George Bernard Shaw      I am worth letting others love on me and my family, if I say otherwise I am being hypocritical. I love to serve and be there for others, it is just a natural part of my gifting…why wouldn’t others be wired the same way or allowed to do the same in return to me. There are seasons where I am the giver and I love it, there are seasons where I need to sit back and allow God to love on me through the people in my life. I empower truth and love when I allow other to be my “Jesus with skin on”. I sit behind a desk all week telling others of their worth in Christ and I need to allow that truth to sink into the depths of my soul. This time has allowed me to do that.  When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.  Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.  But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:6-8

3. Constant Communication is vital, with God and others.

During this time of pain and struggle it has been hard to read my bible. There are some days I read and don’t remember much of what I read or it is just too hard to focus. Between the pain or the pain medication study of anything is difficult. God keeps reminding me that He and I communicate in lots of different ways, not just from me reading. He is talking to me in the alpenglow on the mountains, the warm summer breeze that hits my face or the grins on my kids faces. There are many days that I would just pray, just me talking to God, me trying to listen to Him.  There are times when the pain is at it’s worse and I all can do is whisper His name. He shows up in all the ways that I connect with Him, he just desires we communicate constantly no matter the form. It has been precious to receive and understand my Creator this way. I also no matter how hard it is need to constantly update my friends and stay connected. Some times it is a long phone call or an email and other days it is a simple text saying, Pray…its a hard day.

4. Attitude = Gratitude