Though some friendships don’t withstand our illnesses, Kerryn shares how God can provide other, even deeper, relationships we didn’t expect.
“I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name” (3 John 1:14).
One very common difficulty during chronic illnesses is losing friends. It’s something extremely painful, but sadly very “normal” for many of us. I too have had to deal with this and it’s not easy.
It’s not simple for people to come to visit me, and not by choice. My sleep patterns are nocturnal, I have no energy to go out, and chemicals are a problem. This makes it very difficult for friends to visit, so they naturally move on with their busy lives.
Prior to chronic invisible illnesses I had many close friends that I could list on two hands, but that dropped away over time.
What I’ve realized recently is that my closest friends can’t be listed on two hands! I’d need my toes and to borrow fingers from others!
How could this be?!
When did this change?
God guiding me to the Rest Ministries site and the Sunroom in early in 2012 has brought me in contact with many, many dear new Christian friends. What is even more amazing is that I’ve now met three of them face to face!
The first was special timing. God orchestrated this person to be in a different state, at a conference center that was a couple of blocks away from my naturopath’s consulting rooms. I had an appointment there, as she completed her study course for the day. Divine intervention for us to meet!
Since then God seems to keep opening up opportunities to meet face to face with dear Rest Ministries friends.
I encourage you to look into what opportunities He may be opening for you to meet up with fellow Rest Ministries friends. We live all over the world and God loves to connect us online, but in person too.
May God surprise you with new friendship opportunities, despite illnesses.
Prayer: Lord, please help us with our aching hearts from the loss of dear friends. Help us to create new friends and guide us to fresh new opportunities, through Your eyes. Amen.
About the Author:
Kerryn Wright lives with her family amongst the gum trees in South Australia. She was a special education teacher prior to chronic illnesses. Her husband is carer for three of their family, who have chronic illnesses and disabilities. God has always guided them through life’s challenges, often in surprising ways.
How have you enabled yourself to grieve the loss of friendships? Have you ever considered the opportunity of meeting up with others from Rest Ministries? How can you forget the barriers and open up this possibility with the Lord?
When I read Kerryn’s devotional tears came to my eyes. O, how amazing our God is! And that Kerryn lives not in he USA, where we are based, but in New Zealand, shows how God knows no boundaries of our mere continents, even when it comes to logistics.
I hope you enjoy this song with MikesChair as they sing “All I Can Do (Thank You).” Thank God for friends and unexpected joys! -Lisa
Chronic Illness Pain Daily Devotionals 