I haven’t written much about my One Word for this year. It’s
Let Go. I know, that’s two words. But that’s what God gave me before 2014 started. Believe me, I double and triple checked
with Him. I didn’t like what Let Go might mean, so I wanted to give Him a
chance to change His mind. Obviously, He didn’t.
In a way, I think now I’m glad for the warning because it
has been a year of letting go…and adjusting to change.
It’s been letting go of schedules—well, mine anyway, for
God’s. Have you noticed that God’s schedule rarely coincides with yours? Yep,
it’s an adjustment.
It’s been a year of not knowing for sure if we’ll be at
school or work, how many doctors we’ll see, or when healing will come.
His schedule, not mine.
It’s been letting go of normal. I didn’t quite realize how
much I appreciated a normal day until they were gone.
Normal was grocery shopping and not having to read every
single label. Every. Single. One.
Normal was not having a clue what maltodextrin is and
wondering if it’s safe or not.
Normal was not knowing that wheat-free is not the same thing
as gluten-free.
Normal was not understanding that gluten intolerance is
different than celiac disease.
But now I know…and we have a new normal—a celiac, gluten
free normal.
I’d always thought it would be the worst thing ever, but
it’s really not. There are so many more gluten free options than I thought
there would be, and I’ve had friends help who are already on this gluten free
road.
It is, however, quite an adjustment. It’s not just buying
different food. It’s making sure there is no contact with anything containing
gluten, because with celiac any exposure can cause illness. Exposure only takes
moments, but healing can take days.
I’ve let go of not thinking about this at all, because now
I’m thinking about it all the time. It’s our new normal.
Let Go has really been the word for this year so far. Only 6
more months to go…
In Christ,
Photo credit: Stock photo: dandelion in the wind
Julie Garmon, http://juliegarmon.com, is a writing workshop teacher for Guideposts magazine and has celiac. She is such a sweet gal, I'd thought I'd send you her link.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea you had celiac. That alone is a whole lot of letting go!
Thanks Elizabeth. It's my daughter, actually. (Not sure about me yet.) But when it's your child, it is indeed a whole lot of letting go, adjusting, and helping her adjust. Thanks for the link. God bless!
DeleteOh friend, I am so thankful God has given you the grace for this journey. I may be heading down a similar path. I'm not celiac, but I have so much inflammation in my body I need to find out what is causing it. Have a blessed week!
ReplyDeleteGod definitely gave both my daughter and I some time to adjust to the idea of being gluten free. It's not easy, but a necessity. Email me if you'd like some of the web links that were helpful to me.
DeleteThank you for this words. Letting go is hard for me but with God all thinks are possible.
ReplyDeleteWith God all things are possible - Amen!
DeleteI SO understand!! There's such a learning curve when you or someone you love has been diagnosed with Celiac. It's like you walk out of the doctor's office and think, "What next?" If there's any way I can help you, please let me know. I love your blog!! And thanks for the FB friend request :) You know, that little Celiac brunch I attended was so helpful. Wish you lived near me.
ReplyDeleteJulie, thank you for visiting me here! I wish I lived near you too. :) And thanks for your offer for help and support. God bless!
DeleteI love it that your one word is really two words.. That gives me permission to be open to that next year. Thank you. And I haven't written much about my 2014 one word either so again you are reminding me to ponder and see what I am learning. Letting go is such a life long lessons too. I also like the concept of holding things lightly -
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up and for letting us see a bit of what "letting go" is like for you these days. Sounds both freeing (to at least know what's going on with your daughter) and exhausting :) ... if I'm honest.
ReplyDeleteLetting go is a 'hard thing'... we had a lot of loss this year, and that is a new form of letting go, and saying good-bye. It is a process of trust and listening.
ReplyDeleteLetting go is tough - I kinda like the *normal* I'm used to. My word this year is JOY - and I have had some pretty tough things happen so far. One being my dad passing away in January. I think part of what God does with these words that He gives us is to shake up our definitions of them. And then, He re-tools their meaning in our lives as He deepens our walk with Him.
ReplyDeleteGOD BLESS!
"I’ve let go of not thinking about this at all, because now I’m thinking about it all the time. It’s our new normal." These sentences say it all, Laura. I was placed on the gluten-free diet many years ago when things were not so available as they are today. I worked hard to learn this new way only to have a test done (which should have been done to start with...duh!) only to find out that I was not gluten intolerant or a celiac. I was most grateful, but I also understand what you and your daughter are dealing with. I hold you in my prayers, dear sister.
ReplyDeleteLetting go is never easy but God has a better plan...THE ONE He wants us on.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
First of all, can I just say that LET GO could be my word for this year, too? Not for any profound spiritual reason, but because of the advent of the FROZEN movie on my household and my daughters' subsequent love-affair with that song ... (okay, it's really Let It Go, I know ... but close enough :) )
ReplyDeleteSecond, do you know Christie Purifoy? She has shared in several places about her journey with a child who has food allergies - one time so severe (in a public place, nonetheless) that she almost lost him. If you're interested in connecting, let me know and I'll gladly introduce you. :)
Thanks, Laura, for linking this vulnerable piece with us at Unforced Rhythms. I feel the longing and the surrender in it.
Laura, This really spoke to me. I spent too many years living in fear of things God might ask me to "let go" of. Then He showed me that was weak faith. Tough circumstances strengthened my faith and removed my fear. And He remains faithful always! Blessings on your journey.
ReplyDeleteLaura, I have a two-word theme this year, too, and it's the opposite of yours: Hold Fast.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how God uses our bodies to help us be mindful of eternal truths, isn't it?
So glad you linked up at Thought-Provoking Thursday! :)
May JOY continue to capture you, Laura. Your heart is precious and words inspirational. Blessings abundant to you.
ReplyDeleteChange is hard, especially when we have to let go of little comforts like foods that "mean" something. God gives me themes - or maybe a class He enrolls me in for the year - and then He spends the year teaching me about it - one-on-one. He's an awesome teacher! I am so sorry for this struggle but I rejoice that you are finding Him in the challenge! What grace you have found in this letting go!
ReplyDelete