I hope everyone is having a good day.
Yesterday was a bit of an off day for me, but even on the harder days, God still gives gifts. I spent a lot of time with my youngest son and my daughter, and we also went over to my middle son’s house to spend time with his girlfriend and my grandson. We got him a drone, and watching his excitement reminded me how much joy lives in the simplest moments.
Today I’ll be going out for a while with my youngest son before he heads back home. After that, I’ll be getting a few things done around the house nothing major, just steady and necessary. Life has a way of continuing forward even when we’re tired, and I’m learning to move at a pace that honors my body and my spirit.
Speaking of that, I’m making a decision for myself. I’ve had little to no help from doctors in understanding why I’m still dealing with an on and off acute flare on top of chronic pancreatitis. So I’m advocating for myself. I’m starting a very restrictive diet and journaling carefully what helps, what doesn’t, and what my body will allow. Sometimes we have to take responsibility for our own care, even when the system falls short.
Being part of so many pancreatitis groups has shown me just how overlooked and misunderstood this illness truly is. I’m tired of living in pain. I’m tired of the fatigue. I trust God completely He is my Savior but I also know He calls us to steward our bodies. I need to do this food journey so I can be well enough to live fully, to show up, and to do the activities I need and love to do.
I’m not pursuing disability. It takes years, and I know I can work from home once the right opportunity opens. I currently have over seventy job applications out, and my daughter faithfully helps me submit more every day. God is working even when we can’t see the outcome yet.
Today is another family day, and those are my favorite. They ground me. They heal me. They distract me in the best ways—= especially right now, because I miss my oldest son deeply. He has always been the one with incredible empathy, the one I can talk to about anything. I have beautiful relationships with all my children, but each one is different because they are all wonderfully different people. And yes, my heart aches every time my youngest leaves too. I wish we all lived closer. That’s a prayer I hold quietly.
I’m choosing gratitude today. I’m choosing faith. And I’m choosing to keep moving forward even if it’s one small, intentional step at a time.
I’ll be praying for blessings over each of you today. And if you haven’t yet turned to God, I gently encourage you to do so. He loves you more than you can imagine and He meets us exactly where we are.
🤍 Hugs and prayers