Ding! Dong! The Witch is Dead!

. . .or, at least, I dare to hope so. I haven't taken any pain meds in over 24 hours now and haven't had any pain either. It's been a long 10 days.

Thanks Be To God: a Miscellany

These past few days of near-constant pain and discomfort have brought some things to mind. Here are some things I'm thankful for:

• It's me, not my husband or daughter, in pain.
• Except for that first day, the pain has not been debilitating.
• This is not chronic. It will end.
• The doctors and nurses, without exception, have been supportive and creative in finding coping options that allow me to continue breastfeeding without serious risk.
• Aunt Rebecca came to clean my house in preparation for our guests.
• Brian & Anna have been here and have been a huge help.
• Brian is an excellent cook. And he cleans.
• Carolyn is such an easy-going, happy-go-lucky baby in whatever circumstance.
• Sleep has still been possible.
• The offers of help from various friends here have been abundant.
• Far from last or least, Kevin is such a patient and considerate husband.

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I was commenting to a friend last week that we never face the trials we think we could handle well. I know I've observed others' difficulties on occasion and thought that I could handle that problem so much better than the one I actually have. Chronic pain is not one of those. I can handle large amounts of temporary pain well. But chronic pain, however large or small--even "temporary chronic" pain such as I have now--nearly undoes me. I know a few people who live in chronic pain, in varying degrees of severity. Their grace and faith under such constant physical pressure amazes and humbles me.

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The headlines from the past week have seemed grim and grimmer to me. From my perspective, recent decisions and events bode ill for the security and welfare of our nation and the world. In this light, I am ever more grateful that
My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness.