I had to write a bit more on this subject of finding a miracle for Ross and Betty.  I have spent so many years finding cures, remedies, therapies that help the body to get well and have had numerous “notches” in my gun (all health issues have been solved 99% at home with God’s natural herbs and simple therapies).

My “trophies” hung in the walls of my mind.  Knowing my kids and husband didn’t go to the doctor for typical illnesses and that even the toughies like pneumonia and bronchitis hung on the wall right up there with regulating/curing my lifelong digestive problems including chronic appendicitis (yes, it can be chronic).

I had built such a confidence bordering on pride in my achievements.  I could tell you you can heal anything with full expectation it is true.  But I lost track of the fact that I could only make these choices for my young children and willing husband.  As my children have gotten older, they choose to “forget” the cures Mom gave them all those years.  So far, only one of them has gone to the doctor for a mess of carbuncles in a very uncomfortable place.  But all of them still call Mom and ask, what do I do for_____?

Enter two aged adults with habits well set.  I knew (I still know!) if they would just change some things they would at the very least improve their quality of life and maybe even reverse some of the problems that cause their pains.  But old habits die hard.  And when you hurt – it takes all your strength to get through it not to mention trying a new lifestyle.  We turn to comforting habits of food and drink.  We tend to cling to the warmth of a chair or bed.  We don’t feel up to rocking the boat – it might toss us for good!

I love Betty and Ross enough to respect their choices for good or ill.  They have enough to live with without me making them upset with possible cures.  So like I brought up in the previous post, I will rest in my role of comforter and part time caregiver.

Thank you, God, for giving me the grace to love others when it is difficult.  And after all isn’t that what love is?

I am faced each day with caring for people I love very much that cannot or do not take the same kind of philosophy in health as I.  My husband’s parents are in their 70s.  They both have disease or infirmity brought on by lifestyle choices (mostly through ignorance not spite).  I hate to say it but it is too late for them to change their habits and, take my word for it, they would if they could.

Back when they had choices even 5 years ago, habits were so engrained that, short of a miracle, they were set on their path of continued decline in health.

The daily grind for them spent mostly in a small room in the house next door to us.  It is a cycle of pain controlled by strong pain killers, anxiety controlled by anti anxiety meds, as well as a miscellany of other drugs for regulating body functions.  Bowel incontinence, urinary troubles, swallowing difficulties, unsteady as they walk,…

As their part time caregiver, it tears up my heart – daily.  I am conforted by the fact they are both Christians and believers in the saving blood of Christ so they will know eternal comfort.  But for now I see this ongoing, drawn out “dying”, if you will.  For there is no life in this part of their lives. 

I wrote to a sister/cousin who cares for her elderly family members, too, and for longer than I have.  I asked her if she could offer encouragement and suggestions.  Her reply was she could not offer “hope”, per se.  That is was hard for her, too.  But to not be weary in doing well.  Trusting in His grace and power to get through it day by day.

You know, though I hoped there was some special word or plan of action to help us through this, I seemed to release the struggle with trying to solve their health issues.  When I found that you just have to get through it, that was enough for me.  I could stop fretting and seaching and hoping in the hopeless (finding a miracle cure for their diseases). I can go on with the daily grind.  I can go over there with a smile.  I can give them the care they need.  My heart can rest.

My sister was right. Do not be weary in doing well.  Trust in the Lord for courage and cheer.  Let the light of God shine forth and through me giving me strength.  I can do all things Through Christ which strengthens me.

Yes, you read it right.  I won’t rewrite the article here but you’ll want to read the original one found here.  In case that link is broken, email me and I’ll send you a copy of it.

Apparently, this doctor in a town in Kansas has been curing folks of Type 2 or what used to be called sugar diabetes with a diet that restricts simple carbs and increases the healthy fats in your diet.

No drugs.  No herbs.  No surgery.  Just a controlled diet.  You will hear me say more than once that the human body “machine” wants to be healthy and spends 24/7/365 in an effort to remain in health.  If health is lacking it is due to the fact that our body either needs one or more elements that are lacking.  Or it needs to decrease/eliminate other elements that are destroying health.

Like a responsible owner of a car would strive to keep the engine in top shape, use the right weight of motor oil, tune up the ignition system, top off water, check tranny fluids, put in the optimal gasoline, etc.  As a responsible “owner” of our body, we must learn what makes it “run” in top condition.  We would never think of adding water to a gas tank or sugar to the transmission.

It seems that too many simple carbs (blah, blah, blah…) and not enough healthy fats are behind the problem!  So why don’t we make a change?!  Why do we continue to eat “junk” carbs and junk fats (in chips, burgers, and fries)?  Only you can answer that one.  I have to answer that one, too.  Personally, I like the taste and “conveniently” forget that such things will catch up with me…someday.

Well, catch up day is here for me!   I get sick sooner, illness lingers longer, I am stiffer in the morning and when I get up from sitting.  Now, mainstream would say, well, that is just natural aging.  I know better than that.  I know I can change that – I don’t have to be stiff, stay sick or even get sick in the first place.  I even wrote a book on the subject.  But I will say right here and now, I forget to take my own advice.

But articles like the one mentioned super charge me to get on it!  I hope it encourages you, too.  Sooner or later the “pain” of our complaints leads us to do something about it.  Some will turn to modern medicine with all its drugs and surgeries. 

I for one will remember a more gentle and long term cure is to eat foods my body recognizes and can use.  I will drink pure water and more healthful drinks.  I will  teach my body to breathe effectively so I can take in the free oxygen that is all around me.  I will take some exercise in some form - daily!!

I have been “messing’ with herbs for a long time.  I have read more books than I can count and taken a few courses, too.  I mention all that to say that if I were to recommend to a person who is new to herbs and herbal medicine, go here first! http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/calendar/herb-lessons/

“Here” is where Debi Pearl or one of her daughters has put together 12 full color lessons on 12 different herbs or spices used in herbal medicine.  Go there now and take a look at these amazing article/lessons.  And who can beat the price?  FREE!  They are also in PDF format so you can download them and look at them at your leisure.

In Everything Give Thanks – so says the Apostle Paul.  In everything?!  In the bad as well as the good?  In the trials as well as the blessings??

How often do I remember to give thanks for the good things much less the bad?  I know I will catch myself thanking God as an afterthought when good things happen. 

Giving thanks is a matter of habit, yet it’s more than that.  It’s a heart condition.  An attitude of gratitude is what flows from the thankful, joyful heart.

 When the heart is joyful then one can give thanks even in the tribulations.  Oh, not the giddy, eternal smile-on-the-face “joy”.  We are talking joy because I am a sinner saved by grace.  Joy because, well, my Father loves me.  Loved me so much He died for my sins!  Just so I could spend all of eternity with Him and all the saints.

Thankfulness spills over from a joyful heart so then I CAN be thankful for the good, bad and the ugly. 

Thank you, Father.