Looking for Opportunities

First let me offer a disclaimer that I am not usually a big fan of reality shows, I’m not sure why I just prefer more scripted shows and they are usually crime related or something I can analyze. That being said, however, I started watching Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) the season Donnie Osmond and Melissa Joan Hart were on, but I was a regular viewer and didn’t watch it any more until this season when I learned the great NFL Arizona Cardinals retired quarterback Kurt Warner was going to be on there as a dancer to represent Jesus. Kurt is a Christian and appears to be very solid in his faith. I use the word “appears” only because I have not met him. He caught some flack for doing this show because of the costumes, some of the dance moves and behaviors. He took the time to reach out to his fans and critics and provided a two page explanation of why he and his wife felt this was the arena God wanted him in for this time in his life. Of course, then he received flack for such a long explanation. This past Monday night Kurt and his partner on DWTS was in last place and I assumed would be voted off on Tuesday evening. Knowing what he could be facing Tuesday evening Kurt put this Tweet out

“Who’s ready 4 a little fun 2night? Stay positive – Stay on we keep representing Jesus – Voted off We represent him in next arena! Can’t wait “

That has stuck with me all this week as I continue my recovery process from the cancer treatments and the set backs from the other illnesses. That is really what it is all about…I have to continue reminding myself that it isn’t about me…it’s about how I can use whatever circumstance and place I am in to serve God and make sure He receives all the Glory. If God wants me to write, then I need to write, if it is start a new ministry then I need to watch for the opportunities. Instead of looking at the closing of my business as me being a failure and my health sticking me in a hospital bed as not allowing me to be the kind of wife and mother I was and being a failure in that category as well I need to look for the positives. I have much more time to listen to God if I just would pay attention. Here has become my new prayer each day…God where do you want me to serve now? Please show me the opportunities you have for me in these circumstances.

How about you, are you looking at the negative in something where there may be an opportunity?

As a side note…yes, Bill go ahead with your comments on my football problem (my pastor, Bill “cycleguy” Grandi” is sure I have an NFL addiction problem since I watch the NFL Network everyday and I plan my Sunday and Monday night around the NFL schedule as much as I can…including using my DVR if necessary I say I’m just another devoted fan). I still love you and Jo like crazy!

Living with Physical Pain

I’ve had several people ask what my fibromyalgia & Lupus pain is like but the problem is it is very hard to explain because it can vary so much from day to day and person to person. I decided using my blog was probably the best way to respond to those that have asked. I decided I would try to explain just the basic part of the pain of living with Lupus and Fibro without going into all the other problems that are a part of it or any of the other health issues many people have in addition to them.

Today and for the last few days mine has been more in the muscles which means it has been more from the fibro than the Lupus. One way to describe it is think about what it is like when you have a muscle spasm/cramp in your foot or calf (sometimes called charlie horse) now imagine that in your arm, neck, back, when you breath you can have them in your ribs. I’ve been having them around my ribs and lung area along with my stomach area around my spleen/liver area as well as in my feet, legs, hands, neck and back. This also leaves you with a great headache usually as well. The problem is with these they can’t be massaged out. If someone is available they can help with the hands, arms, neck or leg area, but with the internal ones around the heart, ribs, lungs, etc…there isn’t anything you can do….muscle relaxers can help some but they rarely eliminate them completely they usually just help with the intensity of them. Now add in the Lupus pain and inflammation in the joints and the pain levels jump around every day. The pain can be tolerable one minute and excruciating the next depending on if it is a good day or bad one.

I’m just so grateful I am surrounded with fantastic, loving family and friends that try to understand something that is very hard and difficult to comprehend, if you have never dealt with it before. I’m also blessed to have medications that although it doesn’t take it away, it does help with the symptoms enough to make life worth living. Finally I serve an AWESOME GOD that is there with His strength, love and guidance with every breath I take and that is the ONLY way I can make it thought the nights like this one…PRAISE YOU, JESUS and Thank you for being with me.