Beautiful Feet

{photo by my friend Tara}

     After the Lyme Disease took over my body and especially my brain, I have struggled with reading Scripture. My comprehension level has decreased significantly and honestly I have felt too stupid to read Scripture. I know it is a lie from the pit of hell but the thought still haunts me. God has blessed me by putting people into my life that remind me that I can still study Scripture and to ask God for more guidance as it is impossible for me to do alone. There are weeks that I follow through with devotions and then many weeks pass before I get back to it. Thankfully the healthier I get, the more I can concentrate and read His Word. Praise the Lord!

     A few days ago I was reading Matthew as I have been for a few weeks. When I finished reading I prayed like I always do and felt led to read the first chapter of 2 Corinthians. As I began to read verse three, I became overwhelmed with joy.

”Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.  If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

After I was diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, I have known how important it is to share my story and especially all that God has done through it.  My desire is to be there for others who are suffering. A few months ago, I met my dear friend K who is also suffering from Lyme Disease. I cannot begin to express how grateful I am that God took both of us mainland girls to Hawaii and then brought us together! K has been such a comfort to me. We understand each other’s struggles because we have been there and not many people have that blessing. The first day we spent together she asked me what God had been teaching me through the LD. I was blown away because not many people have that perspective and struggle to understand why I see God’s goodness through this. I am so thankful for K and the special bond we share.

God has blessed me with a few friends who struggle with LD and other chronic ailments. I am so grateful for the support and that we can be thankful together in the easy times, listen to each other in the hard times and always remember His faithfulness. And of course praying for each other and seeing the work that God does through prayer.  

And then I have been given friends who may not deal with physical pain daily but they understand my pain, are patient with me, and are always praying. I feel incredibly blessed that God allows us to be in each other’s lives. I am continually thankful that there are so many people praying for me and my husband. It is an amazing thing to be a part of the body of Christ.

Later that day as I scrolled through my Facebook newsfeed I saw a picture of feet and the verse from Romans 10:15b “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” as quoted from Isaiah. Because I am a visual learner the picture of feet made me see this verse in a whole new light. My feet, the weakest part of my body, is the whole reason why I share God’s goodness. The feet that have caused me such pain, God has given great purpose. As I type this, tears well up in my eyes because I am astounded by God’s love for me and the reminder that He has great purpose in my life. And while I spend hours in bed watching movies, perusing Pinterest and checking Facebook: He is preparing me for the story I am to tell today and for as long as I live.