Finding my dwelling place in Christ has made all the difference
in the world for me, especially in light of having a long-term illness. I've lived with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
for many years now. And though I haven't been completely undone by it, living with this kind of challenge can be quite daunting.
MS is unpredictable so I've had to learn how to manage it by continuing to lean-into a lifestyle of faith. When I was first
'hit' by the disease (one that neurologically 'short-circuits' you at any given time) I was 16 years old and symptomatic
with exacerbations that I sometimes felt would ravage me completely. I stand convinced that it was my mom who played
a significant part in raising me up and out of being a victim and into becoming a victor. She was instrumental
in teaching me how to overcome misfortune by getting above and beyond it psychologically and staying above and beyond it spiritually.
Her love, her faith, and her strong resolve had a positive affect on me and I was determined to adopt it. She tenderly
persuaded me that the disease never had to define who I was or who I could become. Case in point: Young
and paralyzed on my right side, she watched me trip and fall into a heap on our driveway. To this day, I believe she held
back tears and a ready embrace when she demanded I pick myself up and get on with my life. She knew if I didn't do it
then...I never would.
