Becoming Stronger

Last updated on: August 22, 2014 at 4:02 pm by Rebecca Frech

Becoming Stronger 2014-08-22T16:02:35-05:00 Rebecca Frech

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I have so many blog posts in my head screaming to get out, but when I begin to write them they fall silent. Last week was hard, y’all. Mei’s arthritis returned and then continued to get worse. It was simply a week of emotional upheaval….and yet calm.

I’ve cried a whole lot since the arthritis returned, but more from sadness in this moment than from despair. While I’m sorrowful to see my daughter in pain and discomfort, I feel almost instantly comforted in my sorrow. There is a comforting presence which wraps around me when the tears flow and reminds me that this is temporary. I look at the smiling face of my daughter as she sits cocooned in an electric blanket on the couch and she speaks of being able to enjoy the quietness of her suddenly simplified life. She does schoolwork, watches television, visits with friends, and draws scores of pictures from her warm little nest in the living room.

This morning she pulled out her blingy purple cane and leaned heavily on it as she stumped through the house. My heart warmed at the memory of making that cane almost two years ago. We glued those jewels on not knowing what was wrong with her or if it was curable. Two years later, the enemy has a name and we have seen it beaten into hiding. And so this year we wait….because we know our enemy well, and we know that there is a probability that we can make it sleep again.

And so we hope while we wait.

I rub her aching feet and toes, trace the edges of her knees which are both swollen now, and she leans against me and sighs. I talked to her this afternoon about the road back to remission and how it may be a long one. We have no way of knowing. She looked away from me and tried bravely not to cry.

“Cry if you need to,” I told her. “There’s no shame in tears. Tears are the way that God has given us to let the pressure off when life gets hard. It’s like the steam coming out of the tea kettle telling you that something is going on inside. Tears aren’t a bad thing. They have a purpose.”

She nodded her head and I know she understands. I also know that she’s trying so hard to be brave. I can see the struggle in her face and I can only begin to imagine the fear of a 9 year old with her challenges, and yet I know the gift of strength that she is being given.

There is power and fearlessness in facing horrible things, I tell her. When you have seen the worst thing you can imagine happen, and you stare it in the face. When you realize that having God at your side means that the fear and the hurt can’t touch the inner core of who you are. When you realize that walking through the Valley of Shadows is made easier when you walk in the Light.That’s when you learn to just keep walking, to grab tightly to His hand and keep going.

Someday she will realize how powerful it is to be a woman of faith who just keeps walking, how strong she has become. She will know that when she walks with her Father she becomes a girl who can’t be stopped, and that a mighty girl with a sparkly cane is a fearsome and beautiful thing to be.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

February 5, 2014

It's Back

Next Post

February 13, 2014 The best thing I've seen today

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is the name for the Jewish prayer shawl?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Mezuzah Tefillin Kippah Tallit