Isolation: Why?

I mentioned in a previous post that the last few years have brought isolation. I won't lie. Many times, I have asked God, "Why? What are you trying to teach me and do through this?" It was a hard journey to walk.

When feeling good, I love road trips, hikes in the woods, and being active! My niece says I am like a tom-boy with one very profound exception... my love for the color pink. I also tend to be more of a Martha than a Mary. We were taught from a very young age to serve God and others both in word and example as my parents served in various churches. We learned that God made us for connection and fellowship. Isolation made my life come to a screeching halt, it seemed.

So, why would God set me aside and allow me and so many others to be isolated? 

What if we thought of the isolation as a medication? There are both good outcomes and side effects from medication. In the coming weeks, I would like to share some lessons and "side effects" that I have seen in my own isolation and that of my dear friends. My prayer is that these will encourage your hearts as well as help you understand how to reach out to others who may be isolated. 

• Isolation Side Effects
• Identity Crisis, Updated
• Disappointment
  
• Being Overwhelmed
  
• Strength
• A Mighty Warrior

We will be adding more topics regularly. 

Through this time of learning, I am burdened for those who are still isolated for whatever reason. If you or someone you know would love to connect for times of prayer, Bible study, and fellowship via the internet, please reach out. We are starting a new facebook group called "Home Connection. Connecting to Christ. Connecting in Christ." Right now, as we are in the start-up phase, it is a closed group, but I am happy to welcome those who reach out. I am hoping it is will be like a small group would be for those who are able to attend church with the unique perspective of understanding the challenges of isolation, chronic illness, disability, and caregiving.

Isolation Side Effect: Identity Crisis

It happened again this week to me. In contacting a medical office, I was treated as a non-person, less than human. I would love to say that this doesn't happen often, but that wouldn't be true. Thankfully, it turned out they were just having a bad day as follow-up contact with that office was much better. Two others have shared similar experiences in the past couple weeks. 

These interactions can leave us feeling less than human. To begin looking at isolation side effects, I want to share something that has probably been the biggest thing I have seen in both myself and others in the isolation no matter the cause of the isolation. Identity. By identity, I mean who we are and what defines us.

So often, we are treated as less than human as I mentioned above. By reason of our isolation and illness, we are typically on the outside looking in. We can't participate in activities or struggle to make ends meet. 

It is easy for those around us to see only our disability or struggles and not to see us as people. We can be treated as less-than, forgotten, and looked over. Our needs are not understood. Other times, people will forget that we have likes and dislikes, needs, opinions, etc. just like "normal" people even though we are isolated.

In turn, we can begin to think of ourselves as less than and unworthy. In my kitchen, you will see this painting. I worked on it over the winter because I need constant a constant reminder of who I am. 

Let me remind you of who and what you are, completely separate from whatever challenges you face:

• You are loved. Jeremiah 31:3; John 3:16
• You are created with purpose. Psalm 139:14-16
• You are (or can be) a child of God. If you have any questions about this, please contact me!
• You are unique, special, lovely, precious, strong, and chosen. (See verses in painting above.)
• You have worth not because of anything you have or are, but because God loves you. There are many verses in the Bible that show this. I listened to this song on repeat during some of the hardest days. 
• Your identity is in Christ. This movie scene sums it up well. (Please ignore the ads at the beginning.) Ephesians is an amazing book to study in relation to our identity.

The next time someone sees you as "less than" or the enemy makes you think you are not enough, please remember this. You have worth. You are loved! Also, practice 1 Corinthians 13, giving people the benefit of the doubt. 

And, dear church friends, we can go a long way in helping isolated people feel their worth by speaking directly to them, listening, and including them any way that it is feasible. They would love to be able to help with anything they can and pray for church needs. Let them see that they are a valuable part of your church. Treat them as the precious person they are, seeing them instead of their disease. You can make a difference!

Home Connection: Connecting to Christ. Connecting in Christ.

 A couple weeks ago, I wrote a post about freedom and isolation. The response to this post showed me the great need for connection among isolated believers whether it is from personal or family health issues, age, or a remote location. 

God has been working on my heart about how to help these precious saints who are isolated at home. It struck me that Hebrews 10:24-25  is also for the isolated; how can we live that out when we cannot leave the house? 

In the next few weeks, by God's grace, I hope to start a group for Home Connections for the isolated. My vision is to have a place where we can pray, encourage, exhort, connect, and study God's Word together via internet on a regular basis, while also providing a place to assist churches in knowing how to reach the isolated. We will be starting with a small group and seeing where God leads.

What you can do: 

• I would appreciate your prayers for wisdom and direction, for God to be glorified, and for people to be encouraged.
• If you or someone you know is isolated and may benefit from this group, please comment below.

May God be glorified as we make Home Connections. Connecting to Christ. Connecting in Christ.

Freedom and Isolation

 Freedom... It is what I named my new vehicle which includes a scooter lift. Yesterday, I experienced some of that freedom. The new alternative treatments have allowed me to get out of the house a bit. Each week, I see a little more strength return. Slowly, carefully, I have been able to experience more of these times out of the house. I am soaking up every bit of being out before flu season, cold, ice, and snow return at which point I will be shut in and isolated once more. 

(Side Note: Disabled since age three, I have been shut in and isolated a majority of the time since September of 2019 with increased and significant health issues since October of 2018. Even now, each trip must be carefully planned and prepared for including scheduling recovery time. We have to make sure I will not be in crowds (germs) or around allergens/asthma triggers; the venue will be handicapped friendly; and all needed meds, snacks, protective equipment, and items for any possible contingency are available. Time out of the house still requires adequate recovery time.)

As my heart rejoiced with my time OUT of the house, I was reminded of those who are still stuck in with one health issue after another plaguing them. They are still experiencing the isolation and depression. What about the families of disabled kiddos who are so isolated as they fight their daily battles? It made me realize how we as Christians so often fail these precious saints. 

Yes, I remember visiting the shut-ins with cookies or cards growing up. We had their names on our prayer list growing up. These are great things to do for the shut in. I know that our churches reached out with house repairs and assistance with car repair as well as caroling at Christmas time or taking a meal at holidays. 

What I didn't understand until I walked through isolation myself is the intense loneliness, depression, and lethargy that comes when you are imprisoned in your home in poor health. "Solitary confinement" is not for the faint of heart. Every day is the same. You lack human touch and interaction. My friends, I believe we have missed the mark in caring for these precious people. They need fellowship and community while respecting their limitations and needs.

But, you say, the pandemic has brought more online resources for the shut-ins. Don't these things help? Yes, these resources are a wonderful side effect of a very bad situation. However, fellowship is missing from the livestream church service. There is a longing in our hearts for community. We need someone to laugh, cry, share, pray, and study God's Word with. 

What would God have us to do?

• James 1:27, "Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..."
• Hebrews 13:3, "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body."
• Romans 12:15, "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." 

Many, many other verses tell of caring for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Each one of them has different needs. We must listen, connect, and come alongside. Are there things we can do to allow them to participate in the service? Are there needs we can meet? Here are a few practical suggestions:

1. Pray and ask God to show you what to do and who to help. This is first and foremost.
2. Take a meal to them. If possible (check with them first), take the time to eat with them, cleaning up afterwards. (Be sure to check food allergies.) Or see if they are able to come to your home to share a meal. Sharing a meal is something special.
3. Schedule time regularly to reach out to them, allowing time to simply listen. Also, share with them what is happening in your life. It is good for them to be able to come alongside you as well. This Christian walk is on a two-way street.
4. See how you can help in a practical manner. Is there spring housecleaning or yard work to be done? Do they need things from the store? My family that lives close will message me when they are going to a store that does not offer curbside or delivery to see if I need anything. This is a tremendous help.
5. Send them cards. It is great to know someone cared enough to send a good old-fashioned card. Even the younger people enjoy mail!
6. Find out how they can get out of the house and schedule an activity. For instance, friends and family have taken me to see Christmas lights both around the neighborhood and a distance away to a special display. They took the time to make sure all health needs would be met on the outing.
7. Pray with them. If possible, do a Bible study together. At least for me, one of the hardest aspects of the health challenges have been missing out on the community, accountability, and closeness found in a Bible study.
8. Listen for needs you can meet. It is hard for us to ask for help. Listen for big and little needs. With medical expenses, money is always tight. There will be things they need.
9. Ask what you can do to help... not just once, but checking in periodically. 
10. Include them in holidays and family traditions.
11. Allow them to contribute whatever they can. Give them purpose. How, you say? If there is something they can do for the church from their home, include them. Share prayer requests with them regularly and updates to the needs or answered prayers. Let them know of others who may be lonely and in need. They need to serve in whatever way they can.
12. Make your church service as accommodating as possible for the handicapped, chronically ill, and caregivers. While livestream does not take the place of church, it is a tremendous help. Make the church as accessible as possible.
13. Allow for Bible studies to be attended virtually with the opportunity for two-way communication.
14. Give the caregivers a break if at all possible by providing gift cards and a night out. They would appreciate meals, housecleaning, etc. to lighten their load. The daily needs can be overwhelming. 
15. Schedule fun times for the siblings of the handicapped children. They are walking a difficult road. 
16. Be there. Be available.

And... what about those of us who are isolated and shut in? What can we do? I am reminded of the feeding of the five thousand where the boy gave his lunch, just five loaves and two fish (Matthew 14:13-21) or the widow who gave her two mites. (Mark 12:41-44) Little is much when God is in it. From our homes, we can 

1. pray about what God would have you do and for a ministry. 
2. reach out via text, phone, email, or mail to both other shut ins, missionaries, and our churches. 
3. pray with them and for them.
4. pray for our nation, for missionaries.
5. remember that those who are able-bodied also carry heavy burdens and come alongside as brothers and sisters in Christ.
6. remember that God is our ultimate provider and sufficiency. (Psalm 17:15) We must not depend on others to meet our needs.

We are a family, the body of Christ. Let us not forget those who are afflicted. God needs us. We are brought to this time for such a time as this. (Esther 4:14)

So... yesterday, I truly enjoyed my freedom. Yet that freedom reminded me of the many who do not have the opportunity. I do not want to forget the others who still are bound by disability and isolation (no matter the cause). May we use whatever is in our hand for God's service! (Exodus 4:2) Please remember these precious saints.

Detours

 Construction, construction everywhere! A simple trip to the doctor had me winding my way throughout the city to simply get back home. It was not my choice, but it did make me think as I sat in line at several stop lights.

Life is full of detours. They are typically not our choice, winding our life journey through areas we never planned to travel and taking much longer for us to reach our desired destination. 

God tells us that His thoughts are not our thoughts, nor His ways our ways. Isaiah 55:8-12 He takes us places that we don't necessarily want to go, but He has purpose. 

It reminds me of when the Israelites left Egypt in Exodus 13. God took them on a round-about route as they were not yet ready for the challenges of a direct route. He was protecting them. He was teaching them lessons that they could not have learned another way. 

My journey with this new treatment feels as if there are detours. This week, I see small areas of progress, but not nearly as quickly as I would like. I want to be better yesterday. I began to be weary in the constant traffic that comes with chronic illness. God reminded me of Matthew 11:28-30. He calls the weary to Himself. What a promise! 

Detours in life come. Events happen that seem to take us away from our goals. Yet, God will journey with us through these detours, doing things in His time. Trust Him. For, He knows the way through the wilderness!

Myrtle the Turtle

As a teen, one of my nickname's was Myrtle the Turtle. It was given affectionately based in love due to my very slow pace due to my disability. This journey to health feels as if that nickname fits again. Yet, I have been quite ill for 3.5 years and it will not change overnight. I do see small improvements each week. Little by little, healing is happening. This week, so far, I have been able to make my move goal. It is a small victory!

Each day, by God's grace, I work to do what is needed to improve that day, just a little. Isn't that like our spiritual walk? Growth is slow but sure. Yet, God walks the journey with us. He never leaves us! Hebrews 13:5. 

And so... Myrtle the Turtle will keep crawling along. :)

A New Journey

October 2018 began a journey of three and a half years of health complications. It has been a long journey with one issue after another. 

In September 2019, it became evident that to maintain even basic health for the foreseeable future, I needed to be isolated from allergens and germs. This meant redoing many, many things in my home, learning a completely new lifestyle, and becoming used to disappointment as plans change frequently due to illness or exposure to illness. Errands have to be made around the weather and allergen levels. I became used to a new normal before the rest of the world. :)

My immune system/allergy issues are just one small piece of the puzzle. Basically, my health was falling apart. Multiple steroids daily with additional rounds of high-dose steroids in times of stress/acute illness as well as being on antibiotics more than off meant intense weight issues and side effects in each system in my body. In the past few years, I have undergone months and months of both physical and occupational therapy as I learned to deal with new weaknesses, falls and loss of coordination. Yet, in all this time, I was praying for strength, not healing. God had answered.

Then, God changed my heart to pray for healing. The very next day, my brother gave me a book to read which talked about alternative treatment. Through this book, we were connected to a nutritional clinic in another state. God provided an appointment and financial assistance as they do not take insurance. Step by step, moving forward, God has provided.

Two weeks ago, I began easing into the new treatment which is intense. Within one week, we began to see positive changes in every bodily system. 

Two weeks later, changes continue to come. The biggest change is that after around 20 years of several visits to the Pulmonologist each year, I now only have to go when needed. My lungs are stable at the moment! (It doesn't mean they are healed, but that we are effectively avoiding allergens and germs as well as using the correct medicine combination.) What a blessing and surprise!

God is using this new treatment plan. We don't know what the outcome will be, but we are excited to see what God is going to do. 

As I walk this journey, may I glorify God! May He use my life for His purposes! I am learning to apply Philippians 4:11b-13 HCSB, "for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content - whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me."

Stay tuned...