Today, we interrupt our usual Diamonds 2019 broadcasting to share a post I wrote a few months ago about recovering from a long-term illness. It’s close to my heart, and I didn’t plan on posting it anytime soon, but I felt God leading me to today. So, enjoy! Also . . . I can’t go entirely without mentioning the conference (nevermind the fact that I already did), so make sure you view the recently public official schedule on the conference page! And . . . go here to see something I’ll tell you more about really, really soon. 😉 

Dear Family Recovering From Long-Term Illness,

Hi. If I could send you a care package, it would have tissues, hilarious movies, meal plans, and money for as many vacations as you need. It would include a CD of worship music for those who need to scream-sing at the top of their lungs in the car by themselves. Plus a CD of random music for those who just need to numb the pain and dance around the house. And of course, I can’t forget the chocolate. And a stack of “open when . . .” envelopes. And a time turner.

Oh, I wish I could take away all the pain you’re going through individually and as a family. It’s so, so hard. But you have to go through it to get through to the other side. Please don’t give up. I know you’re tired. I know things are tense and volatile and oh so heavy. You’ve each been carrying a giant burden for a long time. That will break anybody.

But keep fighting. You are so close. I wish you knew what it looked like on the other side. It’s beautiful. Hang in there! It will end! You know this already, but you will make it through. I know it sucks. I know you don’t care what the end looks like right now, you just don’t want to go through the wilderness to get to it. Don’t give up! Please, keep fighting.

God is NOT done with you yet. He is not done with your family. He will bring to completion the good work He has begun in you as a family and each of you as individuals.

I know you feel so alone. Alone as a family going through this, and alone as individuals. Going through something awful together but feeling detached and unsupported by the rest of those in the “together”.

You’re not alone. Not as a family and not as individuals. Look around you. Each of the other members of your family is feeling the same things you are. They feel the guilt. Anger. Frustration. Exhaustion. Hurt. Brokenness. Hopelessness. Loneliness.

Don’t let that make you feel worse. Don’t let the fact that the rest of your family is struggling make you belittle yourself or make yourself into a martyr. But realize that you don’t have to fight alone. It’s terrifying, but open yourself up to your family. They are longing to do the same thing, but just as afraid of it as you. Because you all love each other so much that you are keeping it all locked inside in an effort to protect everyone else. Because love protects, right?

But love also trusts. I know you’re all afraid of hurting yourselves and each other again. Past events in the midst of crazy stress caused miscommunications and explosions and hurts. And no one wants to go through that again. But don’t judge you or your family’s present by the past. Otherwise, you’ll always be stuck there. And I’m guessing it’s not a pleasant place to be.

So . . . try. Open up. It will hurt. It won’t be pretty. But in the end, it will heal. And you won’t have to live like this forever. God can repair relationships and redeem pain. Even if it doesn’t seem like it right now.

And, dear hearts, pray! Pray like crazy. You will make it through this. But not with divine help.

Hang in there. Rest in Jesus. Keep fighting. You’ll make it.

Praying for you.

Love,

Sara