Wanna know my new secret code? (Sounds like a new sandwich, right? 🙂 )
BLTI: Before Long Term Illness
Yes, sometimes my life naturally divides into “before” and “after” getting so sick.
But, it’s interesting to me that almost all of the differences are physical, earthly, and somewhat superficial….
I’m not denying that it has been very painful to have things in my former life (BLTI) torn away from me: taking care of my house and kids, teaching worship dance/ballet, singing in choir, playing handbells, playing piano, gardening, hiking, attending concerts, etc.
But, all these things are what I used to DO, not really who I AM.
My basic “self” has not changed much, except mostly for the better—the things that God, in His grace, is working in me through the suffering. (Nothing I can take credit for.)
Like fearing less.
Like depending on Him more.
Like getting a new perspective on life.
I’ve mentioned these things before, but it’s worth repeating, because it’s so easy to lose sight of the good things while going through the bad.
(What is your list of good coming from bad? Reply below if you like!)
So let’s take a look again at my life BLTI: I was afraid more often. I depended on other people too much. I depended on myself too much. I tried to please people too much.
Who wouldn’t want to lose those things? So BLTI wasn’t all that great after all. I was just looking at things in human terms rather than spiritual.
It’s HARD TO ADMIT that suffering, through the grace of God, has made me better. I don’t like hearing that suffering is good for me.
(And I don’t want any more; stop with the “spinach” & give me “dessert”!!!)
I recently read a great devotional on that:
http://restministries.com/2013/03/25/hardship/
So illness can change a person’s life.
But by the grace of God and with Holy Spirit, illness can change a person’s life for the better.
