I have a friend who feels drained
everyday from her chronic disease. In her own words, she is “sick of her
disease.” Despite her complaining, she has the best doctors in town.
Compassionate and caring and in her words ”super smart.” But she wishes that
she did not have to be the one “to cope” with this miserable disease that she
has carried for almost three decades.
She would love to host a party in her home for
her friends. But cleaning her house, setting the perfect table and cooking
gourmet meals are impossible with legs that feel like “leg irons.”
So to be honest, the Martha Stewart home with all
the nice trimmings would be impossible to pull off. If she tried to vacuum, she
would fall on her face or feel overwhelmed by all the planning. I like to offer
that there are other ways to invite people into friendship, others ways to find
support.
Sometimes it is a phone call. A quick five
minutes of checking in. It could be an invitation to take someone to your
favorite restaurant. A prayer. A chance to invite someone to your home for a
cup of tea. Showing love might be as simple as sending a card of thanks for
taking the time to stop by for a visit.
What about all the books weighing down your
shelves? Maybe there is one you know that would be perfect to pass along to a
friend. Better yet, you could call your friends and tell them that Barry
Manilow is performing on QVC. What’s that idea all about? It’s knowing that
Barry is her favorite recording artist despite his poor facelift that she
believe he should have left alone. “He would look better with all his
wrinkles.”
Maybe what someone needs who cannot get around
much anymore is a note that she can hang on her refrigerator. Why not try to
download this photo of the autumn leaves that are changing and send it to her
over email, or better yet, make a card and give her a compliment.
Whatever you are good at, that special talent
that God has blessed you with, it might be useful to give to a person who needs
a lift because any disease can make us resentful and bitter.
A spiritual writer in giving wisdom to those who
carry heavy loads teaches that we must learn to surrender the suffering, that
which we bring from the past that holds our hearts in prison. We cannot escape
the pains of the past, but we do have a choice to let go and let God.
The Lord prays for us as we reflect: “ A gift opens
doors; it gives access to the great.” (Proverbs 18:16).
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who
endure the misery of chronic illness, help them to surrender their suffering and
seek the comfort of those who bears gifts of friendship and love.
