Retreat With Jesus & a Cuppa Tea for Grace & Truth
I broke down in tears the first time I read the Spoon Theory of Chronic Illness in 2013. Because of a rare brain disease, I’d just lost my job, I was a fraction of the wife and mother I used to be, and all I knew was migraines and fear.
But I looked fine, so people didn’t understand why I was falling apart. Prescriptions numbed my brain more than the pain, so every attempt to explain myself only ended in tears.
But the Spoon Theory of Chronic Illness gave my desperation a voice. Finally, my family understood the need to balance my activity level like a welfare budget.
Today’s featured post by Jennifer Ross reminded me of the Spoon Theory. Just like anyone with chronic illness, Jennifer is always “on a learning curve with her body’s capacity.”
It wasn’t until 2015 that I began giving my fears to Jesus, but Jennifer knows He is our example of how to balance activity with rest. She shares more in her post Retreat! Retreat!
I love Jennifer’s post because we all need to learn balance. The Spoon Theory explains what it’s like to live with invisible conditions, but Jennifer reminds us of the solution: Jesus.
I love having a cuppa Tea With Jennifer every week. It’s one of my favorite parts of our Grace & Truth Link-Up because it always feels like I’m sitting down with her. Her company is always so nourishing, so refreshing. Tea With Jennifer feels like, well – it feels like a retreat.
So today, I hope you will come along with me and Heather and join Jennifer at the seaside where we plan to put our feet up for some quiet, meditative time with Jesus.
And, please, if you or someone you know suffers from a chronic physical, emotional, or cognitive condition, come back here to learn about The Spoon Theory of Chronic Illness by Christine Miserandino.
You can download the PDF here.
Jennifer, thanks for linking your post up with Grace & Truth. You are more than welcome to grab the “I’ve Been Featured” button for your post so your readers can celebrate with you. You can find it here.
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Retreat! Retreat!
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I live with chronic pain and fatigue. This is such a ray of hope in my daily life. I’ve never heard of the spoon theory. Can’t wait to read it!
Hi Tiffany, I’m glad to hear this offered you a ray of hope in your daily life. Many times, that’s what we need to pull through from one day to the next. I can’t wait to hear what you think of the spoon theory and Jennifer’s post. Thanks so much for stopping by and for linking up with us!
Thanks for posting these note about the Spoon Theory. I remember talking about that with my counselor early after my Fibro diagnosis, and it was/is so helpful! And thank you for featuring Jennifer’s post too. I am also so comforted when I visit her site. Such blessings to be connected across the miles!
You’re very welcome, BettieG! I’m glad you found comfort here and on Jennifer’s site. We are indeed so blessed to have each other to point one another to Jesus as the true comforter every day. It’s nice to see you, BettieG. Thanks for visiting!
Thank you Valerie & Heather, it’s always such a delight to have you join me for a cuppa! I feel very honored & humbled by your words & feature…
I’m sorry to hear you also know this journey of chronic illness Valerie but yes Jesus is our saving grace as we travel!
Bless you both,
Jennifer
It’s truly our pleasure getting to know you a little more each week, Jennifer. Thank you for sharing your story of God’s goodness in your life
I enjoy reading Jennifer’s blog too. I’ve heard that instead of calling our sheltering-in-place a “quarantine” , we should call it a “retreat” instead. 🙂
That’s a neat way to look at it, as a retreat. That perspective can help us make the most of it by growing closer to our families and God.