I have been off the grid, so to speak, for a few days. Monday I received my Trim Healthy Mama book, by Pearl Barrett and Serene Allison. These two ladies are sisters. Their book is a common sense guide to satisfy your cravings and energize your life. I’ve been reading. I’ve been online, talking with people from the THM groups. I’ve been making new foods and drinks. I’ve been kind of consumed with it over the past few days.
I have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It is an auto-immune disease of the thyroid. I was diagnosed with this disease 30+ years ago, at the age of 14. If you know anything about the thyroid, it is a gland that is part of the body’s endocrine system. In a nutshell, the thyroid is the powerhouse behind ones metabolism, or in my case, the lack there of. Sigh. Now, doctors and researchers are finding out that those with Hashimoto’s have a higher chance of also having gluten intolerance/sensitivities. Things one used to eat when younger, can no longer be handled as ones body ages. This makes sense to me, as I have been feeling blah, tired, bloated and just “not right” for the past several months. I never knew how much gluten protein is in everything! Sigh again. It doesn’t seem fair.
Since I’m being totally honest, there are times when I feel “less”. Not enough. I look in the mirror and long to see my 21 year old self look back at me. The one who was slender and fit. The one who felt good. Those nagging voices shove their way into my conscious thoughts, tearing at my self- esteem. “You won’t feel better. You won’t look better. Just accept that your body is letting you down.” I don’t want to give up. I want to be healthy, strong, feel good, and look good…again. I’ve always been a resilient and determined personality. Quiet, but determined. And yet, there are days that are more difficult than others. These health issues (weight/metabolism, gluten, auto-immune) are difficult to deal with sometimes. Alright, at times they are a real pain…both literally and figuratively.
But, I know this…….
God is with me, even in this. The God of all the universe cares that I am feeling down about my health issues. He cares when I am frustrated or when I am struggling. He sees me on my good days and my not so good days. He is in my corner. He loves me no matter what. Does this mean that I am suddenly going to have perfect health? No. Does it mean that I am going to look like I did when I was 21 again? No, probably not. This doesn’t mean that there can’t be peace among the pain. Prayer instead of panic. Praise even in the midst of the storms that life throws at all of us.
Maybe you are not dealing with health issues. Maybe for you it is a difficult relationship. Or a career that is stressing you out. You could be facing life threatening circumstances, or living through a trauma. It might not be that extreme for you, it might be simpler, but the burden wears at you on a daily basis. We all have our “things”.
We need the reminder.
We’re not in this alone.
Even when life is frustrating or scary, we are not on this journey by ourselves.
Amen.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Matthew 10:29-30 NIV
It Just Dawned On Me 
Dawn, This sounds like an amazing book. I am impressed with all that you shared here. I can totally relate to your frustrations.
And, I have to say I loved you then and love you now. In addition to our Lord, you are not alone since you have family and friends with you. Patti