Today I heard Robin Roberts speak about her breast cancer journey on two morning shows. One sentence kept resonating with me. Her mother had told her to "Make your mess your message". At this time in her life, Robin Roberts mess was breast cancer.....and she took her mom's suggestion and turned it into a chapter of her life that she shared with many others. It is not her whole life, but a chapter she says ...and she made her diagnosis of breast cancer her message to other women by coming forward with it and dealing with it in a public forum. It helped many other women to put fear aside and go for exams themselves and it helped many women with cancer be able to face it with courage.
I have noticed that there are many blogs that are doing this same thing. They are written by ordinary people who are living life the best way they can in less than perfect circumstances. Some of them educate us in what is available to help us heal, or how to manage what has been tossed our way, and others share the personal side of the journey. Each serves a purpose. It was my purpose to make my "mess my message" when I wrote the newsletter for the chronically ill, and it is my purpose now with my blog. I did not have a clever statement of purpose like Robin's mom gave her, but I knew I wanted to take my experiences of living with chronic illnesses, and share them. I did not want to write about just my illnesses and how they affected me, but also write about how my faith helps me live a full life in spite of my less than perfect circumstances. We all have less than ideal circumstances no matter whether we are living with chronic illnesses, financial hardships, cancer, broken relationships, or the "normal" ups and downs of daily living. Each of us will have to decide how to make our messes our messages, and I know from other blogs I read, the message does get through and help those who hear it.
Make your mess your message. Don't let the mess control you, you control the mess my creating something good from it. Robin Roberts mom is one smart woman!
Welcome!
I hope you find my writings interesting and inspirational. They are often filled with emotion because I write without many filters, and they are interwoven with my faith because I know no other way to live. May you find tidbits of information, a dash of humor, and much encouragement here. May this place be a sanctuary for your soul.
I hope you find my writings interesting and inspirational. They are often filled with emotion because I write without many filters, and they are interwoven with my faith because I know no other way to live. May you find tidbits of information, a dash of humor, and much encouragement here. May this place be a sanctuary for your soul.
Having lived with chronic illnesses for many years, I have spent a great deal of time viewing the world from my living room window. Being homebound, I have created an important sanctuary for myself. On my sofa I have fluffy pillows and a warm wool comforter affectionately named, "Woolie" that keeps me warm in the fall and winter, or during Lyme and CFS crashes. In front of me is my coffee table that holds my writing materials, remotes, cordless phone, etc. There is a photo of our family, and a photo of our oldest son and his friends in their police uniforms, to remind me to pray for their safety. The lower shelf is overflowing with stacks of books, papers, my Bible, and articles I am reading at the moment. I have easy access to my TV, stereo, and cds, and I am only a short distance from the kitchen and bathroom. My recliner is close by with my laptop "Libby" right next to it. It is a good place to be.
There is a beautiful view into our backyard, where squirrels, rabbits, robins, cardinals, finches, morning doves, goldfinches, and sparrows gather. Quite often a deer or two will cut a path through our connecting yards for us to enjoy. Trees, flowers, and bushes brighten the landscape. I have watched this view change from season to season, and never tire of its beauty. Even though at times I get tired of living life mostly from my living room, how safe and cozy I feel in my sanctuary. I am blessed.
There is a beautiful view into our backyard, where squirrels, rabbits, robins, cardinals, finches, morning doves, goldfinches, and sparrows gather. Quite often a deer or two will cut a path through our connecting yards for us to enjoy. Trees, flowers, and bushes brighten the landscape. I have watched this view change from season to season, and never tire of its beauty. Even though at times I get tired of living life mostly from my living room, how safe and cozy I feel in my sanctuary. I am blessed.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
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2 comments:
Hi Renee! Thank you for the sweet words of encouragement that you always give me! I'm never sure if I'm helping anyone or just making a fool of myself. :-) Whatever good comes from my writing is of God, for sure, because I'm about as awkward and unsure of my ability to minister to others as one can be. Anyway, I liked what you shared about messes and messages. There's another reason to reach out in writing... It lets all of us know that we're not alone. Too often the enemy convinces us that no one understands us and we're all alone. We get too isolated as it is, so we don't need that lie making us even more so. Hope you're still flying high on the joys you shared in your previous post!
Hugs!!
Tonja
Tonja
I have often felt like you ~ never sure if my writing is worth reading and if I should continue~ BUT If it touches and helps just ONE person, it is worth it Tonja. It is God who uses are attempts to encourage and share God's love, Tonja. He uses what we write for those in need. And definitely we are not alone! Never alone.
Hugs to you friend
Renee
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