 I wonder if you've ever dealt with someone close to you being very very sick. I haven't. And naturally I am not a super jump in and know exactly what to do to comfort and help someone whose hurting type of person. When I've taken spiritual gift tests, mercy comes in at rock bottom (it's pretty embarrassing really). I just don't mentally have the ability to think of what someone needs and how to help when they are hurting. But now that I know that, I see the very real need to depend on the body of Christ and keep those with the gift of mercy and those who know how to deal with health crisis' close at hand. I'm grateful to the Lord for putting my sweet friend Carly in my life for this very reason. Carly and her husband got married almost two years ago and unexpectedly in March her husband was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease radically changing their lives. They are fighting through leaning on the Lord and growing a ton. She has started a blog, Reaching For Fringe to be a resource to caretakers of those with chronic illness. I hope it will be a blessing to you and others you know who may be going through health related issues. Take a few minutes to explore the site and hear their story. Reaching for fringe is based off the lady's story in Mark 5, who even after 12 years of disappointment, loneliness, discouragement, being ignored as an outcast still pursued Jesus, reaching for the fringe of His garment. It's overly easy in unbearably hard circumstances of life to get bitter, but the bleeding lady didn't, she pursued and reached for Jesus instead. How long have you endured a hard trial in your life? Have you allowed bitterness to consume you? In what ways are you reaching for Jesus? Just as Jesus did not forget or sluff off the bleeding lady, He hasn't forgotten you. He has purpose in the pain. This life can be hard and that's why being vulnerable and letting people know what we need from them is so important. Jesus doesn't want us to go it alone. Is there something in your life your trying to fight alone? Why not ask the Lord right now who you should tell and ask to walk along side you through it. And just as we aren't built to go it alone, we also are built to do it alone, by our own strength of trying real hard. The Lord has grace for us, if only we'll receive it. (Here's a video explaining how)  This post part of the series Check out other posts in this series:
Potiphar's Wife; Life Unrestrained Woman at the Well; Experiencing God's Grace Rahab; Ms. Courageous meet Prince Charming Damaris; Counted Among Them Eunice and her faithful reward Midwives; What they have in common with Chick-fil-a and Cake Miriam; What's the big deal with dishonor? Dinah; When life is bigger than you imagined Lot's wife; Dealing with a heart that longs Mother of Thunder; When you want for your kids Having a Martha Faith in a Mary World The Phoenician Widow and the Blinding Effects of Shame King Lemuel's Mom & Bragging on Others You also might like: Can you really love an adopted child as much as a biological? Meet Gore, Who God Brought Back to Life My Life is Awkward
21 Comments
Laura
8/29/2012 06:59:45 am
So true Sylvia. :) Laura Krokos I am so honored that you would mention me on your sweet blog. Truly, it is a privilege! Hard trials definitely refine our faith and I know mine has been more tried than I ever thought possible. You have encouraged me so much with your texts, calls, prayers, and friendship. Love and appreciate you Laura! 8/23/2012 01:46:54 pm
Ah, trials. Whether we are on the disease end or the caring end, it's a trial. My husband was tidying the kitchen tonight and once again I apologized. He's such a sweetheart and just acknowledged his desire to help with, "it's one small thing I can do." I'm eager to meet Carly.
Laura, I am so painfully acquainted with the woman with an issue of blood. I cannot count the times, especially during those dark and difficult days of physical suffering, that I had imagined myself being that woman crawling behind Jesus and knowing at last, "Here is my Healer!" There were times, out of desperation, that I had reenacted that scene, actually reaching out my hand and imagining that I had touched the hem of His garment (teary). 8/23/2012 10:03:02 pm
It is so important not to be isolated in the midst of a challenge/trial! Each gift has its own individual way of ministering - don't short-change how yours works! Have a blessed week! 8/24/2012 12:15:29 am
Thank you for your post. I really enjoyed your honesty about your own struggle with empathy, I have struggles like that too, so I keep the Holy Spirit very busy in the garden of my soul : ) As for the lady in Mark 5, I LOVE that story...as a matter of fact, I've been thinking about her A LOT lately due to my own health issues. My favorite part is when Jesus says, "who touched me?" (like He doesn't know, right ; ) and the disciples say to Him, "there's people crowding you all around and you ask, who touched you?" there is so much humanity in those verses. He knows what's going on inside each one of us, and He knows when we touch Him, when we finally reach out to touch His fringe to be healed. Thanks again for the post and blessings always! 8/24/2012 05:07:26 am
I laughed out loud (literally) when I read your statement about not having the gift of mercy. There are times when I wish I didn't have it! And what a good title for a blog "Reaching for the Fringe". I'll have to check it out! Blessings from Arkansas where our drought is finally broken enough to take us off the "Burn Ban" list! 8/25/2012 11:22:40 am
I am new to your blog and your linky party but am so thankful. What a wonderful place of encouragement! I have lost three precious family members in a year. My heart cries out but God is using this time. How He holds us in these tender moments....thank you and others for being willing to share, to "do" this life together as children of God. 8/25/2012 06:44:50 pm
Great to explore your blog, and fab to come across another blogger who is dealing with the after-effects of chronic illness. I used to be a full-time Christian minister, like you, working with students and then in church ministry alongside my husband, and then leading a Bible teaching training course at a university. Then illness hit and I now find myself housebound, having to ration the social interaction I have, the hours per week I can leave the house (currently 1 hour) and the amount I can walk (currently 50 metres). It is a different way of being. The challenges of being in ministry when everyone is watching you are great, but the challenges of being laid aside with no-one 8/25/2012 06:47:59 pm
...watching are greater. Faithfulness means different things at different stages of life. I would not have chosen this stage, and I still grieve the loss of the ministry that i so loved, but God is still God and can be found, even in the difficult places. 8/26/2012 10:36:49 pm
Excellent website. Lots of useful information here. I am sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks for your effort! 8/27/2012 03:29:33 am
One of my friends told me during a particularly difficult trial that I needed to get out in the world, because that is how God would allow people to minister to me. So true! He comforts us so we can comfort others. Great post. 8/28/2012 12:53:50 am
Laura, I have often admired those who are gifted with an extra measure of Mercy. My impression is that you have gifting that walks in after Mercy has arrived, gifting which sees the wounded and broken-hearted person and has the strength to bring hope and meaning and Godward direction into their experience. I love to see how God is using the blogosphere to bless and encourage many ! 8/31/2012 11:41:05 am
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