Have you noticed that when things get tough, it often takes one more gigantic step to keep going? One more step to get ready, one more step to face the day & one more step to confront what we may not necessarily want to confront ~ our reality.

One morning while I was wrestling with extreme fatigue but hoping to go on a picnic with hubby, as Spring is blooming here in the Southern Hemisphere. I noticed it was taking one more enormous step to do even the simplest of things.

Is it just sheer determination to go that extra step or does it take something entirely different? This is the topic we’ll be mulling over today so let’s grab our cuppa’s, a treat & get comfy for our time together my friend.

I have some healthy gf snacks today, a gift from my daughter, or maybe not so healthy when they’re covered in dark chocolate! lol! With a cup of Rose Petal Tea. What are you having?

Change happens (WOTY)

My word for this year is Change & already it has been a year for significant change.

The saddest change has been in the passing of my Dad, which means both of my parents are now in Glory. There is a noticeable void in my life now that Mum & Dad have both gone.

Grief is a strange entity, don’t you think? We can be going along fine, thinking we’re coping okay until a large wave of grief crashes down upon us knocking us off our feet, taking us completely off guard.  Reminding us that we may not be coping as well as we had thought & need to pace ourselves a little more carefully.

As a retired mental health professional I’ve found this quite thought provoking. You see what I’ve noticed is that just as each person we love adds something quite special to our life, when we lose that person we not only grieve their absence but also the loss of that special relationship we enjoyed with them. 

Personally, I’m not a stranger to grief having already gone through the Valley of the Shadow of Death many times, shared HERE.

But what I’ve also noticed is that how we grieve is different each time we lose someone special. And it all has to do with the type of relationship we had with them.

So my friend, if you’re grieving the loss of someone special in your life, it’s time to be kind to yourself & grieve. I share some ways to do this Here.

And…

Another change this year has been a few added diagnoses to the Chronic health conditions I already have, these diagnoses also came with an incurable tag*.

 While these helped to explain the added fatigue & other symptoms I’ve been experiencing, they only add to the reality of what I’m dealing with each day.

However, I am one determined ‘ol gal, determined to live my life to the fullest within this season despite these Chronic health conditions. But unfortunately even sheer determination doesn’t cut it when that ‘one more step’ is required & all strength is gone. So what do I do? 

 

Well, first I stop & go to my first go to in life, the only One who can help me, the only One who can carry me that extra step, my Heavenly Father through the power of His Spirit.

You see He intimately knows what I’m dealing with each day, not only health wise but otherwise. My part is that I need to continue to depend upon Him for not just that ‘one more step’ but all steps in life.

As we’re told by the Apostle Paul, when he was praying about what he called a thorn in his side;

‘… He (God) has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My loving kindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.”

Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses and my infirmities, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.‘

2 Corinthians 12: 9 AMP

So may we always make our Heavenly Father, through His Son Jesus our first go to in life, may we rejoice in Him always & may we be determined to give Him the honour & glory no matter what circumstances we face in life.

Postscript 

If you’re wondering if we got to our picnic, we didn’t, plans change when living with chronic health issues & that’s okay, we’re flexible.

However, I was blessed with the energy to write this post & to spend a restful day at home with my loving husband, even managing a slow walk in the late afternoon, hand in hand around;

Our Neighbourhood…

The greatest blessings are often the simplest ones. We are blessed indeed & for that I am truly grateful.

I’d love to hear about your blessings my friend, please feel free to share in the comments below.

Blessings,

Jennifer

* Faith knows that God can cause a miracle at any time & heal that which man calls incurable. So in the meantime we walk by faith in our upward call!

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

or in Prayer

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© 2024 Jennifer M. Ross, All Rights Reserved. Photos by Robbie Chettrie & Leo Mak

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