Not a Fair Trade

I have an answer to prayer:  a diagnosis.  How is a diagnosis an answer to prayer?  Well, I have been praying for at least a year, on the search, trying to find out why I have been exhausted and achy (among other symptoms).  

My diagnosis:  Celiac Disease.  My new lifestyle:  a gluten free diet.  Now, looking back and after researching this beast quite a bit, I can see all the clues!  At first, the diagnosis was a shock, and I thought, "Cruel trick of nature, " after having worked with a student for a long time finding gluten free foods.  By the end of the first day of diagnosis, God had reshaped my understanding to see His hand of preparation in it all!  How many hints did a person have to get?!!

1:  I first heard of Celiac from a good friend many years ago.  Her sister, who has Down Syndrome, had tested positive for Celiac, and the entire family was urged to be tested.  

2:  I worked with a student for two and a half years helping him to expand his gluten free diet.  I learned a lot about the gluten free diet and every gluten free aisle in every grocery store within a ten mile radius of work.

3:  About a year ago, I heard a coworker talking about her daughter's diagnosis with a wheat allergy.  Her daughter had experienced muscle aches and joint pain until she went on the diet.

4:  Around four months ago I sat next to a family at church with gluten sensitivity at a celebration dinner.  I noticed they had brought their own food, and I talked with the mother of the family about this.

5:  This summer, my best friend was urged by her doctor to try a gluten free diet to see if her health would improve.

6:  Two months ago, a sweet coworker approached me saying she was thinking about going gluten free and asked if I wanted to join her.  I waited until I had the test because I had read you shouldn't go gluten free until after the test.

7:  I sat next to a girl at a cookout when I noticed she was eating her hamburger patty without a bun.  This started a lengthy conversation about food sensitivity.

8:  An ENT recently told me about a gluten free bakery downtown.

 

God's mercy and grace in all of this:

-My doctor called me at 7:20 am on a Wednesday morning to tell me the news.  I was listening to a Focus on the Family broadcast about a man who had faced a tough disease (much more devastating than Celiac).
-I checked my phone at the end of the work day to see what the verse of the day was on my Bible app. 
^"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11: 28
-I had two and a half weeks left to remain gluten free and two breads left on my bread card at my favorite gluten-filled bakery.
-My BFF came to the rescue with pizza and listening ears when I had my emotional breakdown one night.
-My sweet roommate brought me a gluten free cupcake the day after my emotional breakdown.
-Three friends have offered to come along down the gluten free journey with me.
-My Dad bought me a lot of food to start off on my gluten free weekend after my upper endocscopy.
-A sweet friend had left me gluten free goodies on my doorstep after my procedure.
-A sweet friend brought me two gluten free uber bars!
-Many, many, many sources of information, recipes, and gluten free foods
-Patience when the grocery store seems to shrink around me.

The Sunday after my diagnosis, as the pastor spoke about laying down at the altar idols, offerings, or things we've held on to tightly, I felt peace.  I felt relief and a second chance.  We sang "God With Us"  by Mercy Me and the lyrics "such a tiny offering, compared to calvary, but nevertheless, I lay this at your feet," made me think.  I pictured myself going to the altar and laying down the Celiac to Him.  I gave it to Him.  I thought, that's not a fair trade!  He gets my disease, my struggle, and frustrations.  I get from him an answer, a solution, a pathway to health, and peace. 

Small Stuff

"It's the little things,"  we've all heard!  I made a typo when I first attempted typing the word "things". I almost typed "thinks".  "It's the little thinks." This is appropriate because the little random acts of kindness show that someone was "thinking" of you.  The impact is not tiny but large.  Here are three little moments through which God showed me recently that the little things are important:

During a recent doctor's visit in the lab where patients are herded through at rapid paces leaving the seats still warm, I was having blood drawn.  The nurse sounded half awake as she asked me the routine questions, not even bothering to look at me throughout the process.  After a brief period of silence, I asked, "How are you doing today?"  That was it--no big deal.  Yet, for the first time during our interaction, she looked at me.  And for the first time, she smiled.  She answered my question and treated me with care because I showed that I care.

I came home from work after a hectic day to find a special "just because" gift from my roommate.  A girl's gotta pamper herself now and then, you know.  It really meant a lot to me that she thought of me and knew that I had a busy week so far.  The gift was two flavored chocolate facial masks with a note that said, "Happy Tuesday."  It smelled so fabulous that I wanted to eat it!  My roommate said, and I quote, "The next best thing to eating chocolate is smearing it all over your face!"

I arrived at work this morning to find a Fall treat waiting for me:  a cream cheese pumpkin muffin from a good friend/coworker.  The message said, "Pumpkin cream cheese muffin.  Enjoy!  And have a wonderful day!"  This definitely made my day.  It was scrumptious!