Acceptance and Celebrations

Another book is going on my "finished reading" list - earning my top rating of three stars. Waiting for a Miracle: Devotions for Those With Affliction by Jan Markell is honest yet God-focused. Near the end is a reading titled "Acceptance Doesn't Mean Giving Up." 

"There are certain tragedies that one is able to accept more than intense short term or chronic illness. The everyday pain, fatigue, and a myriad of other symptoms remind us of their presence 24 hours a day. Here's where a "sacrifice of praise" is needed - even if the praise sounds a bit hollow. God knows we are trying.

"Everything seems out of control. Our bodies are out of control and rule us like a cruel taskmaster. Our limits and our lifestyles are difficult to accept. 

"What if God were to say in a still, small voice, "These are my sufferings ... I am trusting you to go through this experience, even if I never tell you why. Can you do this for me?"

"Grace and trust. They need to make a grand entrance. For the afflicted, getting through a day is simply the result of God's grace. Grace comes by way of trust. Trusting God means believing his purpose is higher and more important than our comfort and convenience. The question remains: "Who will allow God the Father to work out his larger plan?" 

"We can look back longingly for the life we once had. For many, it will return; for others, life will never be the same. Can we make the best of a less than ideal situation for today?...

"Accepting out current situation doesn't mean giving up! It actually provides a base from which we can grow.

"Often at a point of acceptance, God's healing hand moves. But not always. Yes, our dreams were filled with grand expectations and what might have been. We wanted to make an impact on this world.  Unless God allows us to be cured or healed, we must accept that not all our plans will come without a miracle. Thus to better reflect our present dreams and ideals, we set new goals. Scaled down goals. Goals once thought too low to be acceptable, for we were out to save the world. To make an impact. To really count. To be extraordinary.

"Yes, it is possible to construct a life in the spaces between moments of dysfunction. But learning how to keep discomfort and dysfunction at a minimum may require trial and error as our symptoms flare and subside."

That roller-coaster of trial and error show more glaringly whenever we draw near to holidays. What used to be joyful times of traditional family gatherings (though admittedly with their share of stress from too much busyness) are now lonely times of wondering how we can find the strength to even attempt a bit of scaled back celebration at home. And if we pick one outing to be with our lovely relatives (saying "no" to many other great gatherings along the way), much of the enjoyment can be spoiled by how long we will have to pay for the energy expenditure and chemical exposure.

A large part of the holiday struggle can simply be "food." Until one can no longer eat any of the main ingredients, you may not notice just how many holiday celebrations center around food. For those with so many food allergies and sensitivities, this can rob our celebrations of much of the comfort and familiarity of tradition. Even if we ignore the delicious fragrances around us and "forget" the flavors, trying to concoct our own "everything-free" versions of old favorites can be the "the straw that broke the camel's back" at these inherently busier times.

While it is tempting to just throw out the traditional food element altogether as unimportant (and be free to turn more of our enjoyment to God's gifts that we are celebrating anyway), the focus on food is unavoidable when celebrating with "well" people. I remember having to put on blinders to cope with the first years of eating my own packed lunches at the same tables with holiday feasts. Thankfully God can and does answer our prayers for grace to deal with this loss.

Are celebrations and family gatherings worth it?! Is this even in God's will for the use of our limited strength? I believe so. You don't have to read far in the Bible to see that regular celebrations were part of God's plan to help His people remember His faithfulness throughout history and in their own lives.

So, how are Elsa and I going to navigate this maze of trial and error in the coming weeks? Prayer comes first. Then planning and working ahead as much as possible. And just being ready to trust God through the extra suffering. 

It's time to get pumpkin out of the freezer while I count my many blessings...