July 24, 2008
Always Near
By Debra Weiss, RTF Staff Writer
You’ve sat in the waiting room more times than you can count, know more doctors than seems fair for someone your age.
You can probably speak more medical lingo than even the most accomplished doctors—and you’ve yet to graduate high school.
You have withstood test after test. Hospital stays become the norm while doctors scratch their heads. Then it’s on to a new drug, a new list of side effects to be alert for.
Friends are few and far between. Most of them are out doing “normal” teenage things while you’re just struggling to get by.
You try to stay strong. But words like faith and hope seem like foreign concepts most days.
You’ve tried praying but the only word you get out is “God…” before you stop because the pain is just too big for words.
You are the chronically ill teenager. . .
the one fighting to regain something you lost—your health. Everyday is a new battle and some days, your strength fails.
When you lift your eyes to the ceiling and the words won’t come, here are five things to remember.
“There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” – Proverbs 18:24b
Remember the time your younger sibling followed you around the house constantly, determined to be just like you? Your younger sib probably stuck like gum to your shoe—that’s the way God sticks to us.
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart;” – Psalms 34:18a
When your heart is broken, when the pain weighs you down, when your faith is smallest, God is near. He has not left you alone.
“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” – John 14:18
This is a direct promise from God. When we are too weak to go to church, too exhausted to stand, too weary to keep trudging onward, God comes near.
“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” – Psalms 9:9
When your heart is burned, look to God. He will be your refuge. The definition of refuge is a “recourse: something or someone turned to for assistance or security; a shelter from danger or hardship”.
If you need shelter, look no further than God.
“And they that know thy name with put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” – Psalms 9:10
God never leaves, never forsakes, never abandons, never deserts. He is always near.
Debra Weiss is a freelance writer living in South Carolina. She has been chronically ill since she was seven. You can contact her through her email @ debraweiss@rocketmail.com
Judi says:
This was awesome, Debbie.
I love you, big sis.
-Judi
LynR. says:
This was great Debbie…
I can tell you wrote this one from the heart- Beautiful job! As always…
~Lydia
Lydia Rule says:
Ooops… my sister must have posted a comment last b/c the above “LYNR.” is sooo not me. LOL Didn’t notice that before I hit the “submit comment” button.
-Lydia
Chris Lorenzen says:
Debbie,
Having read your work before, this great column comes as no surprise.
I was overcome by the emotion in your words. It brought tears to my eyes.
Keep your strong faith. I am positive God is with you through it all.
I’m looking forward to your next column.
with much respect and love,
Your New York ‘aunt’ Chris
Cathy Rule says:
Debbie,
Was just browsing through the RTF site with Lydia. She showed me your latest article…Wow! Couldn’t stop until the last word!! Was really good and spoke to my heart.
Haven’t dealt with chronic illnesses, but know and counsel others who are. Your article will stick in my mind to share with others. I deal with energy levels that are poor due to being hypoglycemic…the energy and emotional swings are there! You addressed it so well in such a small article. The answers are before us; we just have the tough job of reminding ourselves daily of His loving benefits towards us. Praising God for you.
Keep my daughter in line for me –Ok? LOL
-Cathy Rule
Debbie says:
Thanks everyone for your kind words. They mean a lot to me.
Debbie