Sweetness

Life is hard, you know? It's hard for everyone. My particular "life is hard"-ness involves a mentally ill daughter (and I'm not just saying that tongue in cheek, she really is mentally ill.) We get the impression that she lives her life on a razor's edge between barely hanging on and total catatonia, and the only thing keeping her here is her daily dose of meds.

Stressful times, with no end in sight. Our family is finally able to explore various support options here in our new community, and God has answered every one of our prayers in regards to finding doctors and therapists and the like. Soon we shall go to our first NAMI meeting.

Well, the reality of living with a mentally ill person has really turned my heart towards the Lord, and my hope towards heaven. Every. Single. Day. What else is there, because this world sure isn't offering me the "good life".

And God's grace is there, in the midst of the difficulties, and He does pour out his goodness and his joy, even on desperate souls like us.

I've been reading the book of Jeremiah. There is so much sweetness in the heart of the Lord expressed towards His people. Here are some nuggets to feast on today:

"For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish."--Jer. 31:25

"Keep your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope for your future, says the Lord." --Jer. 31:16-17

Well, pretty much the whole of the 31st chapter is wonderful...

The other day B asked me: "Mom, what will happen to me if the economy collapses and the pharmaceutical companies stop making my medicine?"

??????????????

"Well, I guess then I'll feed you and change your diapers and we'll pray together and I'll take you to every Holy Unction service we can find, and ask God's help." (Not that we aren't already praying, you know...).

"Oh, good! Thanks Mom!" And she hugged me.

Comments

Moxie said…
Alana,

Thank you for this. I've been going through a very rough patch the past couple of days and today has started off on the wrong foot completely. The verses in Jeremiah were a great help.

May God Bless You!
~Moxie
Anna said…
That is sweet! God Bless you!
elizabeth said…
your daughter is so sweet. am praying for her and your family. Her name is one of my work names to pray for each day - I have various names in my MS Outlook as reminders - just a quick be with prayer. she's on my prayer wall too. i am not the best at prayer right now but i trust God that every little prayer helps...

so glad to hear that you are being provided for in the support options.

thank you for the verses. I love the OT verses like this! Isaiah has good one too...

Love to you this day!
Athanasia said…
Thanks for sharing this Alana. It helps put my own "troubles" into perspective.

May God continue to bless and comfort your family.
Unknown said…
Love and hugs, Alana. Children have such a way of seeing right to the heart of it. May God bless her and reward her faith. Also, thank you for reminding me of the book of Jeremiah. I am long overdue for a reread. BTW, baby is doing fine and my new supplements seem to have licked my anemia. I think my levels this time may have been the best I've ever had, pregnant or not!
maria said…
I've always really liked your daughter. And I've always really liked you. Prayers continue.
alphamom said…
I have a mentally ill child-much older than your daughter.It is pure hell but it does keep the path to heaven open.