Arthritis creeps into my feet and for a long week and counting they hurt incessantly. Trying to keep up with active little girls and domestic chores requires a lot of time on one's feet, and my feet aren't up to the challenge.
I try anyway -- to walk the good walk, fight the good fight, smile through the pain, and remember every moment how very blessed I am.
Because, you see, I have feet. Some people don't. I have medicine. Some people don't. I have a wonderful husband, and some mothers with chronic conditions do not.
At the end of a long week, after a grocery shopping excursion that leaves my feet feeling like they're on fire, I sit in a chair and put them up, because I just can't walk anymore.
My husband makes dinner, bathes our 4 year-old, and because he's not already busy enough, serves me strawberry lemonade.
After I hug them goodnight from my chair, our little girls in footed pajamas are tucked into their beds, kissed, and prayed over.
Jonathan returns and says, "Hey, don't you have a little inflatable foot soaking tub?"
Ten minutes later, he has arranged my chair, crafted a platform out of a Rubbermaid storage bin, draped a towel across the platform, and filled my (now inflated) foot tub with warm water and lavender scented Epsom salts.
My feet slip into warm water and when they emerge, the pain is all but gone.
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Jesus once did something similar. He filled bins and knelt to wash His followers feet, and I bet that when their feet emerged from the water; when their eyes met His eyes of love and grace, their pain (both of the flesh and the heart) was gone.
In this life, I may not win the chronic pain battle. People we love will die. But I think often of the day when I will look up and meet His eyes, and my pain (physical and emotional) will be gone. In that Holy presence, all peace, all hope, all love, all grace, all things good will soak through to the heart of His children and I can't even imagine what that will feel like.
I will sit at the feet of the King, and I can't wait for that day!
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; their shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things are passed away."
{Revelation 21:4}
{Revelation 21:4}
What a great gift God has given you through Jonathan. Our husbands show us what it means to be Christ's bride- sacrificially giving of themselves. I am reminded of Ephesians 5
ReplyDelete5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
And then verse 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
Verse 28 husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.
~Xiomara
That is such a precious photo! And it's a beautiful post, Jenn. <3 I'm very sorry that your lovely feet are also being attacked and giving you such pain. I'm thankful Jonathan helps you, and that he remembered your footbath and could make it work for you. Love the devotional aspect. Love you! ~Wendy
ReplyDeleteTears fill my eyes as I read your stories of chronic, every day, pain. Out of your pain you share something beautiful...your stories, your lovely family, and also the encouragement that you give to others living with pain. So many times I have complained about pain in my feet from my bunions, or an excruciating headache, but nothing like what your dad, you and so many others living with this disease live with. You are an inspiration and blessing to many, Jennifer. One would never suspect the challenges you face each new day by your easy and beautiful smile. Thank you for sharing the sweetness of your character and the beauty you see in life through your writing and photos. <3
ReplyDeleteI came across your blog tonight as i searched for more info about my condition (AS). It has been good for my soul to read your blog and know someone understands.
ReplyDeleteone of my favorite verses is Psalm 27:4. do you have any info on here about what meds have worked for you?
Hi there! Happy to have you here. So sorry you too are dealing with this disease. I do not typically share about my treatment plans online. But I will say, that I so far have not found a successful treatment plan. I am in the process of trying to find something to help me have better quality of life. Feel free to email me if you'd like to talk. My email address can be found under the contact me tab at the top of the blog.
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