By On Friday I got a message on one of this blog’s social media profiles. I read the message, and I was disheartened to say the least. This person told me that if I prayed more diligently and believed more diligently in God’s ability to heal me of CP then I would be healed. I have my social media profiles set to where I have to accept messages, so that I can filter out messages that are mean or make me uncomfortable in any way. I did not accept the message request for this message because it made me entirely uncomfortable. Erasing the message was the best course of action for me.
I have been a follower of Jesus since I was very young. The God and Jesus that I know and serve love me just the way I am. Do I believe that God could heal me? Absolutely. I also know that I can make the world better through my experience of having CP. That is why I do this work and tell you all my story because I firmly believe in my ability to make the world better. How can I not when the best doctors in the world have told my parents and I over the years that I should not be here let alone do any of the things that I can do. Because of that fact, I knew from a very early age that I was being called upon to do more than simply exist.
Words, like the one in that message, no matter how lovingly delivered and how well-intentioned hurt me. It also does not help me continue to work on being okay with the parts of my condition that I do not like. Those words also do not help me live a more authentic faith every day because I find myself feeling sad and praying “God, I know you want me to share my story with the world and I am, but how do I make this not hurt?” I left that part with God in my prayers, but I knew it was important to talk about how I felt about those words.
My chosen siblings and I continue to work to get me to a place where I can love myself as much as God loves me exactly as I am. Situations like that message make the work more difficult. Those words serve as a good reminder as well. I just want to remind all of us, me included, that our words have weight and matter, and we must choose our words extremely carefully so we do not hurt others.
Thank you for being brave and sharing! I love reading your blog posts. Be kind to yourself as you heal from impact. It’s hard dealing with the brunt of those kinds of comments, and takes a certain strength. Thank you for continuing to blog!
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement! Thank you for reading as well. ~Stacey
Thank you for being an inspiration to all of us suffering with health issues. I am 75 and need a walker to go places. My left leg will not support my weight anymore. I had a epidural with my second baby back in 1976 and it was not done properly. I live with pain in my lower back since 1976 and now have pain in my knee that can cause excruciating agony. Once the spasm hits I can’t move. It eventually eases off and I can breathe again.
I am also a Christian and believe God can hear our prayers. I am also a Baptist preachers kid and live in Canada
Praying for you dear friend and please know you are loved and appreciated by me up in Canada
Thank you for your kind words. I’m happy you are enjoying my blog posts. I’m going to be thinking of you and praying. I hope you get some relief soon. ~Stacey