I stay up too late, trying to catch some quiet, relished moments, and then need extra sleep in the morning because my body can’t function on little rest.
When I walk in and face the children, it feels like they have one over on me, like I just can’t keep up.
Always running to keep up and I’m so weary. Chronic illness for three and a half years, and the battle is getting harder, just when I thought I could see the top of the mountain, hoping I could start climbing down the other side. It was only a thick cloud hiding the ever-towering mountain from my weary eyes.
I don’t feel very brave. But some say being brave is about getting in the fight, and not sitting on the sidelines. Some say it’s not brave unless you’re afraid.
And I’m very afraid. I think of their precious faces, and I pray will all my heart that He would heal this illness so that I can wake each morning feeling like a conqueror.
I heard someone say recently, that if we felt like conquerors, if there were no battle to keep us in the trenches, we would never learn humility.
I guess the bravest of us really are in the trenches, learning the ropes that are ever-changing, climbing high with all our might, just to get to the top and realize there is a long way to go.
And with God, He sees all that lies ahead, and He keeps us going when we feel like giving up the race, and falling to the sidelines, becoming a spectator.
I feel His thrumming in my chest, when I lie awake, when all the house is quiet, and He says, stay in it, child. Don’t give up, beloved. There is work to be done yet. Until then, rest. But don’t ever give up or give in.
Keep going, put one foot in front of the other and do the next good thing.
**On Fridays I join Lisa-Jo and the #FiveMinuteFriday Community. We write for five minutes flat, with no extreme editing, no worrying about perfect grammar, no worrying if our words sound just right. “Unscripted. Unedited. Real.”–Lisa-Jo Baker
The one-word prompt this week: BRAVE.
Now for #concretewords highlight of the week! The writer I’m highlighting this week for #concretewords is:
Janel Andrews for Piano #1–in Poetic Form —I absolutely loved reading this. Gorgeous. Janel is totally new to Concrete Words–let’s encourage her!
*********
Some lovely reading, some creativity, some beauty for the weekend?
All the best links for me this week: {And stay tuned or scroll down for your weekend challenge!! FUN!}
Thank you, friend, for sharing.
Sometimes being brave is just getting up in the morning. I have some issues with chronic illness but not to the extent you do. I admire you. I admire the strength it takes to do normal everyday things that take others no time at all. I admire your care and concern for your family. Keep going. Keep going. Keep going.
Praying for yor increased strength.
Battle on , you are a precious, brave warrior.
Ok…love your blog and you are certainly BRAVE. I can't imagine….little kids facing an illness. I am a mama of three and without and illness it can be daunting to get out of bed some days with all the pressing needs. Sometimes we think we're at the top and we think we can head down the other side and we face a set back. Isn't this how it can be in life? God is coming. Sometimes the biggest battle is before the breakthrough. I'm praying for you sister. You are blessed. Your story will move mountains for women in your shoes. Love your writing and your story blessed me today.
Oh, His words in you, sister. Yes, keep listening, keep leaning in. You are just beautiful and you fill me His hope here. Thank you.
Appreciate your support, dear.
Your first two lines tell the story of my days. I can so relate. You certainly are the “brave” I was envisioning as I read the topic for this week. So thankful we all can find small ways to link our trenches and wander through from time to time to offer encouraging words to one another. You are beautiful. You have a story of beauty. Thank you for sharing!
I struggle every day with bravery. My son is autistic and i never know what will happen. I am so fearful that i might mess up in some way that will have a serious impact on him. Or maybe in my attempt to be there for him, My daughter will be left out and feel alone. Or maybe, maybe maybe…the list is neverending. I needed to read this. I needed to remember that God is with me. Thank you.