Sharing: This Light and Momentary Pain

#Poetry, Chronic Illness, Uncategorized
Grace In Snow
On this pathway
tread with pain
Lord have mercy
Lord be kind

I offer my words
shed with tears
Lord have mercy 
Lord be kind

He receives my thoughts
covered in weakness
He has such mercy
His is so kind
--bg

A few weeks ago my friend Mandy, from Mandy and Michele, asked if I would share in an interview series that she would be hosting. She has invited several of her friends who deal with chronic pain to share their stories of walking with pain and finding the comfort of Jesus in the midst of it.

I didn’t know that on this very week, when she would share my interview, I would be facing the long-awaited RA infusion. Just a few days ago I found out that I am scheduled for that infusion on this Friday. But yesterday I came down with a sinus cold, and my anxiety was ramped up several notches. I won’t be able to receive that infusion if I am sick.

And yet, here are my own words, given from the Lord to share with others, that are meant for me too. Mandy asked me to share the Scripture that had come to mean so much to me here. And the voice of Jesus is echoing back to me in this place today:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

He has been with me on this journey, every step of the way, and He is still giving His sufficient grace today. If you have had experience with chronic pain, I invite you to join me over at Mandy’s site to read the rest of the interview by clicking here.

I am linking with: #TellHisStory #LMMLinkup

Published by Bettie G

Jesus follower, Wife, Mom, and Grandma, journeying through chronic illness one day at a time

Published

37 thoughts on “Sharing: This Light and Momentary Pain”

  1. Dear Bettie, what a beautiful, simple poem but so profound! Yes, His mercy and grace are sufficient. So glad to read your words here and over at Mandy’s site. God shines through you so beautifully as you surrender more and more to Him. May He bless you richly! Much love to you, my dear sister/poet/friend! xoxo

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    1. Dear Gayl, Thank you my dear friend for all of the ways that you have encouraged me and prayed with me. I am so grateful that He sends us His grace just when we need it. His timing is always the best. I pray for you on your journey too, and ask God to keep giving you His mercy and grace. Blessings, love and hugs to you my poet/sister/friend! xoxo

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  3. I’m so sorry you have a sinus infection now, Bettie. Already the infusion itself is such an anxiety. I hope and pray your infection will be gone by Friday and you can have the infusion with positive results this time! Lord, have mercy! I LOVE your heartfelt poem! I can identify with having more intimacy with Jesus as we bring all our questions and doubts to Him. As He comforts us as no one else can. Also with this encouraging reminder that I need to remind myself of more often – “Keep your eyes open to watch for moments of His beauty. What seemed small in the past, during your busy days, will shine so much brighter now, bringing God’s grace to you.” Thank you so much for lifting my heavy heart today! Love and blessings to you, my friend!

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    1. Dear Trudy, Thank you so much for understanding and caring so much!I appreciate all of your prayers and support. What a blessing that we could point each other to Jesus, through all of the sharing that He leads us to. He is so good to lift our eyes to Him as we give our questions and doubts to Him.

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    1. Oh Leslie, that is so precious! Thank you for sharing and praying! I remember when you asked me to pray for the group’s topic of study quite a while ago. I am so blessed that the Lord is giving you opportunity to share His gifts with His people. Blessings and prayers for you also!

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  5. Isn’t it wonderful how God can speak to you…reassure you…with your own written words!:) I love that. Praying that all will go well with your infusion.

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  8. What a lovely, to the point, deceptively simple poem you have shared, Bettie. It might be short but it speaks of complex things such as human pain, anguish and heartfelt prayer, and how they are powerfully met by God’s mercy, compassion, grace and love. How we need to cling to God during seasons when pain and illness are more relentless than usual! It’s clear this is your testimony: “He has been with me on this journey, every step of the way, and He is still giving His sufficient grace today.” I’m so sorry to hear you’re struggling with a sinus cold. And I’m amazed how our journeys so often overlap because that’s an added challenge for me this week as well. Each time a symptom reminder comes I will use it as a spur to pray for you and your healing. May God give you swift healing, renewed energy and strength so that you can receive the longed for infusion you need on Friday. Sending gentle hugs, healing prayers, blessings and love across the pond! xoxo ❤

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    1. Dear Joy, I am so very thankful for your sweet prayers along this pathway. You have brought such heartfelt encouragement to keep pressing in to Jesus, and to keep sharing what He gives. Your own poetry that you have offered has stirred such deep places in my heart. Places that I had thought were closed off, but yet God was gently prying open the door every time I read more of your thoughts. He has been so full of grace for us. I am so grateful for all the many shared prayers. Love & hugs to you also! Xoxo

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  10. What an encouraging interview. I cannot imagine the pain you endure on a daily basis. I had debilitating sciatic pain while pregnant last summer that lasted my whole third trimester and I kept thinking, “this is MOMENTARY. I know this will end when this big weight on my sciatic nerve (my precious baby) is delivered, but other people deal with this kind of pain EVERY DAY OF THEIR LIFE”. It was sobering and put my pain in perspective. Not that it wasn’t validated or real, but that it was manageable and there was a foreseeable end in sight. Your positive outlook and practical steps in caring for yourself while also aspiring to encourage others who are enduring through chronic pain is inspiring. May God give you pain relief and endurance on those rough days.
    Found you through #LMM Linkup!

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    1. Thank you Dear Elena for your visit here and your sweet comments! I am so sorry for the severe pain you endured during your pregnancy. But, of, what compassion the Lord brought to your heart thru those hard days. And you are so right, tho, that even these life-long pains are only momentary when we take up our Lord’s eternal perspective! He truly does have so much comfort for us here, in the middle of our weary days. Blessings and love to you!

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    1. Thank you Dear Lynn for your precious prayers and comments. I am so grateful that God lets us share in His encouragement together! What a joy your photos of Canadian winters have been for me, as I’ve been missing my kids who are in Alaska! Blessings and love to you.

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    1. Dear Cheryl, thank you so much for all of your many prayers. I so appreciate them! God’s grace is so amazing, as I found out that the Dr postponed yesterday’s RA infusion because of paperwork mix-ups! God knew I needed longer to rest and get stronger. So now, I will get an infusion for my osteoporosis next Friday while we wait for the paperwork to clear for the RA infusion. God is such a good Shepherd for us! Blessings and love to you!

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    1. Dear Jennifer,
      Amen! “His comfort is amazing in our time of chronic pain.” I am so thankful for your understanding dear friend. And I am so glad that He leads us to these places of connection where we can share and pray for each other. Blessings for you too. And much love!

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  14. Dear Bettie, I don’t think I ever knew how your chronic disease journey began. It sounds like a valley that stretched over a span of years. Your blog is a blessing to many. I don’t say that because I have interviewed readers. I know in my Spirit your words help draw others to His grace and mercy and amazing presence. How wonderful He is to move through your failing body to continue to build His kingdom. Love to you, sister, Julie

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    1. Dear Julie,
      Thank you for your sweet words of encouragement and all of your prayers. Our God is so amazing that He would take my weak vessel, full of so many failings, and pour His grace overflowing. His mercy is so far above anything that I can grasp. And yet, He comes to each one of us with that same mercy again & again. I have felt that grace and mercy when I read your story too, dear friend. What a Savior we have! May He bless you also. Much Love to you my sister!

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  16. Hi Bettie, I love that poem you wrote. It sounds like the words of someone going very deep with the Lord in the midst of great pain. Such a lovely thing to record! I pray you’re doing better now.

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    1. Thank you, Amy. The words actually just flowed as I sat down to begin this post. I am always so humbled when God pours His words over and in us. Thank you so much for your prayers! Blessings to you also!

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