Showing posts with label SEEN Gathering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SEEN Gathering. Show all posts
If you have been around this blog for any length of time in the past year then today's blog post might seem "completely out of the blue", but in all actuality it has been a steadily growing decision as the Lord has been working on my heart and leading me in new areas that He is calling me to. I hope that as you read this post you will understand that while I have not chosen to share on the blog that I have been thinking and praying about this for some time this is a decision that has not been made lightly or without great prayer and thought put into it.
Recently I have been learning a very important lesson about times "when the need is not the calling". I first read this statement (almost two decades ago) in Oswald Chambers (March 5th) devotional, "My Utmost for His Highest" when he says, "the need is not the same as the call". Later as a college student I was reminded of this concept in Robin Jones Gunn's "Christy and Todd: the college years" book 1. It has stayed with me for a long time and this is the second time in life that I have experienced this reality.
The reality is that there are many needs that we may see that are not "our calling". Our time on earth is incredibly valuable, because it is God's time that He has given us here to glorify Him. I truly believe that just like we are to be good stewards of our finances, we are also to be good stewards of our time. This can be difficult as we see needs around us to truly ask the Lord where He wants us to best use our time.
Shortly after I was healed from Endometriosis I moved to Washington DC, participated in a Summer Intensive study program at American University Law School on the subject of "Women and International Human Rights", and shortly thereafter accepted a "Match Grant" job working with trafficking victims, asylees, and refugee torture victims in their first 180 days in the United States.(If you saw the movie, "The Good Lie" with Reese Witherspoon you have a good picture of my job.) The job itself was hard. It was incredibly painful to interact with people who had experienced such horrors of life. It was heart-breaking, it was heart-wrenching, and it was life-changing. I had known of the horrors that existed, but all of a sudden it was before me face-to-face. It was in the broken spirits of some and in the haunting eyes of those who had left family members behind in countries far far away. As each day passed and I interacted with my clients, worked to get them jobs, and learned their stories my heart would break a little bit more. About six months into the job after a particularly difficult story and situation with one of my clients, I met with one of my professors from American for lunch, explained some things that I was experiencing and hoped for sound encouragement. She looked at me with compassion and said to me, "Rebecca, the need is not always the call". Although not a Christian, her words echoed what I had read so many years prior to that conversation.
As I drove back to work from the meeting I had a feeling that the Lord was starting to move me in a different direction. As the months continued I continued to feel this even though I worked hard at my job, worked hard to connect with my clients despite the pain, and found joy and laughter with colleagues whom I admired as they day in and day out tirelessly championed those who were hurting. After months of prayer, months of gaining Godly wisdom and months of asking the Lord for clear direction, I was offered a teaching job that I accepted, knowing that the Lord had orchestrated all of the details. As I left my job as a Match Grant Coordinator and returned to teaching I found the truth of the saying, "the need is not always the call". In my teaching job I thrived as I worked with teenagers and although there was heartbreak and difficulties I could clearly see the Lord gifting me, calling me, and equipping me in this vocation. If I am honest, it was something I never encountered in my other position. While I don't think that the time that I spent that year was a waste at all and I do believe the Lord uses everything in our lives, it was painfully obvious that I had learned an important lesson: the need is not always the calling. Those 11 months have shaped my view on a number of different subjects not only personally, but politically and professionally as well and I have treasured the lessons I learned and have not forgotten them all of these years later. Making the decision to leave was difficult (especially because I felt in many ways the time was short) but it was still the right decision.
As I drove back to work from the meeting I had a feeling that the Lord was starting to move me in a different direction. As the months continued I continued to feel this even though I worked hard at my job, worked hard to connect with my clients despite the pain, and found joy and laughter with colleagues whom I admired as they day in and day out tirelessly championed those who were hurting. After months of prayer, months of gaining Godly wisdom and months of asking the Lord for clear direction, I was offered a teaching job that I accepted, knowing that the Lord had orchestrated all of the details. As I left my job as a Match Grant Coordinator and returned to teaching I found the truth of the saying, "the need is not always the call". In my teaching job I thrived as I worked with teenagers and although there was heartbreak and difficulties I could clearly see the Lord gifting me, calling me, and equipping me in this vocation. If I am honest, it was something I never encountered in my other position. While I don't think that the time that I spent that year was a waste at all and I do believe the Lord uses everything in our lives, it was painfully obvious that I had learned an important lesson: the need is not always the calling. Those 11 months have shaped my view on a number of different subjects not only personally, but politically and professionally as well and I have treasured the lessons I learned and have not forgotten them all of these years later. Making the decision to leave was difficult (especially because I felt in many ways the time was short) but it was still the right decision.
Almost nine years later and the Lord has continuously brought that experience to mind again and again. After lots of time praying and seeking the Lord, months of speaking with Godly mentors in my life, and spending time alone with the Lord I have decided to close down SEEN Gathering. Ironically, much like the Match Grant job so many years ago, SEEN Gathering was started and is ending after 11 short months. I would like to say that I still firmly believe in what I wrote when I shared the "kick off" of SEEN Gathering last August and I do strongly and sadly see that this is an area that the American Church needs to address.
At the same time though, I do not believe that this is my particular calling and the Lord is leading me in a different direction. There are many reasons for this. First, the time commitment to keep up with SEEN Gathering was simply too much at this particular time in my life with my health. I received close to 300-400 emails every single day from people all over the United States who were struggling with Chronic Illness and are struggling not only physically but emotionally. I tried as best as I could to answer emails and to engage others to participate in the ministry but the doors seemed to keep closing. Due to this time commitment there became little time left to continue to engage with other "lymies" who were contacting me through my personal blog, which the Lord has laid on my heart. Second, there were thousands of Crate 526 boxes that were mailed out over the past year. (A Crate 526 box was a box of encouragement for those who were struggling.) At first this was to be done by a couple of people (other than myself) but unfortunately I had many people who kept stepping up and then stepping down from this role which created extra stress and time constraints on myself as I ended up collecting all of the donations, cards, and sending everything out. Unfortunately this left little time for me to participate at a level that I feel called to with Adopt-a-Platoon, which is an area where my heart is. Third, I had a lovely group of lady bloggers who were contributing and for all valid reasons many of them had to take steps back which meant that I was writing two blogs which I didn't do well at all. Fourth, and the most important reason, I realized with clarity that just because there is a need it doesn't mean that it is your specific calling. I see, like I did with the Match Grant job so many years ago, the horrific reality that our country has hundreds of thousands of people struggling with Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain. My heart literally breaks for each person that I have encountered but I have realized that focusing in on something that is not my calling is not using this time that God has given me best. There are specific areas that are my hearts passion and where He is calling. Some of these y'all know (with writing and creating and working with high school students) and some of these are private and some new things I will be sharing in the weeks and months to come.
At the same time though, I do not believe that this is my particular calling and the Lord is leading me in a different direction. There are many reasons for this. First, the time commitment to keep up with SEEN Gathering was simply too much at this particular time in my life with my health. I received close to 300-400 emails every single day from people all over the United States who were struggling with Chronic Illness and are struggling not only physically but emotionally. I tried as best as I could to answer emails and to engage others to participate in the ministry but the doors seemed to keep closing. Due to this time commitment there became little time left to continue to engage with other "lymies" who were contacting me through my personal blog, which the Lord has laid on my heart. Second, there were thousands of Crate 526 boxes that were mailed out over the past year. (A Crate 526 box was a box of encouragement for those who were struggling.) At first this was to be done by a couple of people (other than myself) but unfortunately I had many people who kept stepping up and then stepping down from this role which created extra stress and time constraints on myself as I ended up collecting all of the donations, cards, and sending everything out. Unfortunately this left little time for me to participate at a level that I feel called to with Adopt-a-Platoon, which is an area where my heart is. Third, I had a lovely group of lady bloggers who were contributing and for all valid reasons many of them had to take steps back which meant that I was writing two blogs which I didn't do well at all. Fourth, and the most important reason, I realized with clarity that just because there is a need it doesn't mean that it is your specific calling. I see, like I did with the Match Grant job so many years ago, the horrific reality that our country has hundreds of thousands of people struggling with Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain. My heart literally breaks for each person that I have encountered but I have realized that focusing in on something that is not my calling is not using this time that God has given me best. There are specific areas that are my hearts passion and where He is calling. Some of these y'all know (with writing and creating and working with high school students) and some of these are private and some new things I will be sharing in the weeks and months to come.
As I step forward, I know that I am learning in even greater ways the depths of His love, His tender mercy, and His grace to not only meet my needs but those that I have witnessed and seen through SEEN Gathering. I know that SEEN Gathering was never about one person or me and it was always about Jesus and He will continue to meet the needs of those who are hurting and struggling with these areas. What an amazing thing it is to follow after Him- where we can be small instruments of His grace and love! Truly amazing!
Sweet friends, maybe you are struggling and praying through a similar season of "when the need is not the calling". If you are I just want to say that I am praying for you. Praying that you will find grace to meet these difficult decisions and peace to walk in freedom of where God is calling you! Sending love and prayers friends!
There have been numerous (and very well-written) articles in Chronic Illness world relating to the often heard (and often emotionally dismissive) "but you don't look sick". I personally have never written a post on it, even though I have often thought about it. Most Chronic Illnesses (and even serious illnesses) and Chronic Pain is not outwardly visible so it can often leave the bystander confused that if someone felt "so poorly" they surely would look sick. (Frankly, I have never really understood exactly this sentiment because what does a sick person "look like"? Is there a general stereotype? Is it someone who is rail thin? Well that doesn't always "fit" because many medicines induce weight gain and inflammation. Is it someone who has lost all of their hair? Well that doesn't "fit" because even some seriously ill Cancer patients - where everyone "connects" treatment with loss of hair do not lose their hair. Is someone who is sick "look sick" when they are completely pale? Well that doesn't fit because some medications (and herbal supplements) induce facial redness and flushing.) SO maybe we as a society don't know exactly what someone who is sick looks like. Maybe, if I am so bold there might not be a set standard and we need to embrace those who are struggling without having any preset ideas as to what a person will look like when they are sick...
or what they will "ACT" like.
I have heard the "but you don't look sick" (or something along those lines- "well you look absolutely wonderful") statement so many times throughout this journey. Sometimes- it is by well-meaning friends and family members who are trying to boost morale. BLESS them. Other times it is by someone who I truly believe is genuinely trying to be encouraging. Either way, I have heard it said so many times that I have lost count. But recently I heard something I hadn't heard on this journey. I was chatting with someone who I hadn't spoken to in a while (but who follows the blog and my instagram feed) and they said (after I answered how I was doing) "but you don't act sick".
I was completely caught off guard. I asked them what they meant and as they (somewhat accusingly) stated that "in the past year you have traveled out to California (twice), gone on a cruise, written three books (with one being published in November), worked on graduate work, ran an Etsy shop, started SEEN Gathering, and have agreed to speak at a couple of engagements in the coming year... I mean, Rebecca, your instagram feed doesn't even show someone who is laying in a hospital bed. Most of the time you are SO upbeat on the blog and on social media... you just don't act sick."
I was speechless. Part of me wanted to jump to the defensive and start listing off a rebuttle to everything that they said and the other part of me wanted to hang up the phone. I am embarrassed to say that it was the small 1% of me that wanted to answer with a loving and Christlike attitude. My defensive attitude won for several minutes on the phone as I was speechless and then started to explain that I only traveled to California because my doctors office is located there, that the cruise was a gift...
and then I stopped.
I quietly asked if we could continue this conversation at another time and we agreed to come back to it. For several days I grumbled to the Lord about the fact that I felt like I was now not only "not looking sick" but now being accused of not "acting" in a certain way. And then I started thinking... what does a sick person act like? So I called my friend back and asked her what she meant by her statement. Basically she felt that since my instagram feed shows lots of outside pictures and that it is happy I don't act sick. We talked for a while but as we hung up, my friend admitted that she felt that if I was "truly sick" (her words) then I would be acting more somber and forlorn.
So for the past few weeks I have really been thinking about this conversation and about the stereotype of how "sick people should act". I started questioning friends and family (and even strangers) and asked what their stereotypes were about "how a sick person should act" and what they thought and questioned beyond the scenes about those that they know who are sick "but don't act sick". These were some AWESOME conversations. Here were the most popular questions with my answers that I gave them:
So for the past few weeks I have really been thinking about this conversation and about the stereotype of how "sick people should act". I started questioning friends and family (and even strangers) and asked what their stereotypes were about "how a sick person should act" and what they thought and questioned beyond the scenes about those that they know who are sick "but don't act sick". These were some AWESOME conversations. Here were the most popular questions with my answers that I gave them:
Do they spend a lot of time in bed?
Yes, most of us do. I currently spend approximately 20 hours in bed. The other four are spent taking detox baths, working on the shop in the room next door to my bedroom in my house, doctors appointments, etc. Sometimes (where I get most of my outside pictures from) if I am feeling strong enough I will ride in the car to places although I don't go into stores a lot due to my immune system.
Does a person who is sick cry a lot?
Oh my yes. I find GREAT comfort in Psalm 126:5 each day. At the same time though I know that if I spent all of my time crying about my situation I wouldn't have any energy to fight my diseases. Some days the tears flow uncontrollably but on those days I curl up with the Psalms and ask my sweet friends for extra prayers.
Does a person who is sick really laugh? Shouldn't they be more sad?
Y'all I try to find humor in the smallest of things ALL the time and I am not alone in this. AND we do laugh over here A LOT in my house because God is still good with lots of blessings everyday.
Why doesn't a person who is sick share their problems and health stuff more if they feel so terrible?
I don't know about you but I frankly love to "escape" when I am on social media. I love connecting with others, I love bringing awareness of Lyme Disease and its issues (and the other health things I am dealing with) but most of all I want to bring glory to God in each of my endeavors. To be frank... my symptoms are often debilitating and often times extremely personal. I think that I cover it fine by saying that I deal with a ton of pain, nausea, and fatigue. If you want to find out more I am sure you can hear it from someone but I don't care to share the details of spending 2 hours throwing up. *smiles*
Does a person who is sick act normally and do normal things?
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. The best example that I can give of this is when I went on the cruise in February last year. I asked my best friend that we not talk about anything health related and that if at all possible I wanted to be known "not as the sick girl". I didn't want us to lie, but if at all possible I wanted a "break away". HONESTLY- it was the best week of the year. Yes, there were times of tears, but it was SUCH A BLESSING and I cried several times realizing that I could still hold conversations that had nothing to do with illness.
In the last couple of weeks I have realized something deeper in this whole situation. Beyond my defensive stance at the beginning and beyond what I mumbled about, I realized with startling reality that God had also abundantly answered a prayer that I started praying the first year I became housebound and bed bound. It wasn't a prayer that was easy to pray or one that I even knew the difficulty of living what I was praying, but it was the cry of my heart:
"Thank you, Father, for these my friends. Thank you so much for these beautiful people, who are so very dear to me. Let my grief be mine alone. Anoint my countenance with the oil of joy, that none may ever feel embrassed to laugh in my presecence. May no joke or sharing of the ridiculous be stifled because I am there. Wrap me in the garment of praise, that I may not burden others with the heaviness of my grief."
(Darlene Diebler Rose)
The Lord has been so good in answering this prayer a thousand fold on this journey these past several years. He has anointed me with the oil of joy, that none have felt embarrassed to laugh in my presence and jokes and sharing of the ridiculous has abounded abundantly within my family and friends. There have been times of lots of tears and grief but I seen in so many ways the way that the Lord has wrapped this journey in the garment of praise, day after day, moment after moment on this journey.
Perhaps it doesn't "look" like I "act" sick, but I can assure you behind the scenes the only reason for that would be God. Him alone. He has been so merciful on this journey and I am so grateful for His love and the way that He has carried me each step of the way. (Psalm 68:19) Perhaps, like so many others, that is the only answer that I can give for the "But you don't ACT sick" statements. Because I know for sure that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
I see it every single day.
"Thank you, Father, for these my friends. Thank you so much for these beautiful people, who are so very dear to me. Let my grief be mine alone. Anoint my countenance with the oil of joy, that none may ever feel embrassed to laugh in my presecence. May no joke or sharing of the ridiculous be stifled because I am there. Wrap me in the garment of praise, that I may not burden others with the heaviness of my grief."
(Darlene Diebler Rose)
The Lord has been so good in answering this prayer a thousand fold on this journey these past several years. He has anointed me with the oil of joy, that none have felt embarrassed to laugh in my presence and jokes and sharing of the ridiculous has abounded abundantly within my family and friends. There have been times of lots of tears and grief but I seen in so many ways the way that the Lord has wrapped this journey in the garment of praise, day after day, moment after moment on this journey.
Perhaps it doesn't "look" like I "act" sick, but I can assure you behind the scenes the only reason for that would be God. Him alone. He has been so merciful on this journey and I am so grateful for His love and the way that He has carried me each step of the way. (Psalm 68:19) Perhaps, like so many others, that is the only answer that I can give for the "But you don't ACT sick" statements. Because I know for sure that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
I see it every single day.
It is hard to believe that it has been a little over six weeks since SEEN Gathering officially launched! The Lord has been so good during this time and once again I am so humbled at the Lord's blessings each step of the way. I have seen over and over again the truth of the saying, "where God guides, He provides" in so many miraculous circumstances these past couple of years as this was just a dream and a calling and truly have seen the Lord work in so many ways these past six weeks. Today, I wanted to share with y'all some many amazing updates and some ways that you can be involved in this incredible ministry!
First though I want to take a moment to thank the sweet ladies who have truly come along side this ministry and are sacrificing their time and sharing so much of their hearts with everyone. Thank you so much to Katie (who does an amazing job with our pinterest board) and Alison (who is in charge of our scripture memory section!) for your efforts and help behind the scenes. You have been such a blessing (and incredibly patient)!! Thank you so much to Katie, Grace, and Jade for your willingness to share your hearts with our readers on the SEEN Gathering blog! These first posts have been simply amazing and are encouraging the hearts of so many!! Finally, thank you to each of you ladies for ALL of your prayers for this ministry and the way that you have blessed so many!!
Second, one of the updates that we have made is that while the SEEN Gathering website remains the same (www.seengathering.org), the blog is now located HERE at www.seengathering.com. Just so y'all are aware- the blog is updated every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday!
Third, as we mentioned on our facebook page, we are so honored to have been nominated for two Wego Health Activist Awards (rookie of the year & best team performance)! Thank you so much to those that have nominated us! If you would like to endorse these nominations or nominate us for something else please click HERE! Thank you again!
Fourth, speaking of our Facebook page (and social media in general) we have loved connecting with so many people through these avenues! Would you spread the word and take the time to connect with us through these different avenues? We appreciate so much your love and support and love being able to update y'all and connect in a more personal way on these sites. You can connect with us through the following ways:
Instagram- Click HERE
Facebook Page- Click HERE
Pinterest- Click HERE
Twitter- Click HERE
Fifth, you might have seen on instagram and facebook that we mentioned that we need y'alls help! We are in the process of compiling a list of questions to send to churches to reach out and connect with them and help them start to think about whether they are a "chronically ill/pain friendly" church. We will also be sending out to them information about the website, our ministry, the upcoming magazine, and the crate 526 program. If there is any thing that you wish that churches would do or provide that would make them more "chronically ill/pain friendly" (or if you feel your church does something well!) we would love your input (suggestions will be kept anonymous)! We have received so many AMAZING ideas already and would welcome more! Leave a comment below or email us at (seengathering@gmail.com)! We are looking forward to connecting with churches in a deeper way about this issue!
Sixth, we are so excited that the SEEN Gathering magazine will launch in early January 2015!! At this point the magazine will be a bi-yearly publication and we are very excited about this! If you are interested in being apart of this exciting project and would like to find out more about submissions please click HERE! The submission deadline is fast approaching so contact us as soon as possible! We would love to hear from you!
Seventh, you might have seen on our website that we will be holding a retreat in the upcoming year! This is a project that we are very excited about and are looking forward to connecting with a small group of y'all! We would covet your prayers as our financial backer for this project has unfortunately gone through a very difficult personal experience and has had to withdraw their financial support for this project. (Our thoughts and prayers are with you dear friend during this difficult time!) We have found a wonderful and perfect setting to host the retreat (right in the middle of the US!) and it is very "chronically ill/pain friendly". At this point we are in need of the deposit which would be $250 and in total we are estimating that we $1500 to keep the price affordable for those who will attend. If you are interested in finding out more about how you can support or sponsor this particular project of SEEN Gathering please email us at: seengathering@gmail.com and we will send you more information. In the meantime we covet your prayers as we continue to pray about the Lord's provision and direction for this event.
Finally, we are SO excited that we are less then 7 weeks away from launching our Crate 526 program! If you haven't read about this amazing program you can read more about it HERE! We have been OVERWHELMED by the outpouring of support and desire to be apart of this program since the day the website launched. To be truthful we have hundreds of sign ups and we would love your help! Would you consider being apart of this amazing program? Your donation -$5 and 6 items will change TWO people's lives!! Want to find out more about how you can be apart of this- click HERE! Don't know what to send? That is fine! Fill out the form and someone will get back to you with all of the necessary information! Are you an Etsy shop owner that would like to donate items? We would LOVE to have you! Are you a teacher? EVERY box that we send will contain handwritten notes to the recipients. Would you consider having your class write notes of encouragement? Don't have time to purchase items but would like to help cover the cost of shipping? We would be so grateful! There are so many different ways that you can change the course of someones life through this program. Please pray about how you might do so today!!
Thank you so much friends for all of your support of this ministry. At the end of the day we are so incredibly grateful for your support and love. Thank you for all of your prayers and for truly helping those who are hurting remember that they are SEEN.
With Love,
This summer has been filled with precious memories and moments amidst pain and perhaps that is why they were even more special. *smiles* Here are definitely some of my favorite memories of this summer. It is always a beautiful thing to look back and see the Lord's faithfulness in so many different ways!
The summer started with the announcement of my beautiful mother's sacrifice to retire from teaching to help me get well. Throughout this summer and with the intensive new treatment plan before me, we see even more clearly the Lord's compassionate hand and guidance on this decision- even before we knew what was coming.
Our trip to camp was one filled with a lot of "delays" but the extra hours were filled with editing re-writing the book. *smiles* I was SO excited to turn in the book with all of the edits in early July (and yes, we celebrated!) and to now be working on the FINAL editing phase! WOW!
In early June I announced that I would be doing a series on all things related to doctors out of state and country for the Thursday Health Thoughts. I was so grateful for such a warm response to this series and was even more excited to share with y'all the "what to pray series". I was overwhelmed by the response by so many of you and am so thankful that you found this to be helpful!
In the middle of June I shared that there was a change to my health plan and mentioned that the biggest prayer request was that my digestive system would remain stable. What a BEAUTIFUL answer to prayer to look back and see that it has remained stable throughout this summer and even with the addition of drastic changes that had to happen. As I head into my "third fall" we are praising the Lord for this and continuing to ask Him for His blessing in this new season!
There were so many exciting things that happened with my shop, December Caravan, this summer! I was thrilled to announce that I had added in Storybook Bunting to the shop and later to announce that I had added in Scripture Bunting. I was thrilled to share that I had stepped out in faith and will be apart of the hopespoken handmade market in March! It was also fun to share pictures from the craft room at the cabin! I was overwhelmed by the love and support for my shop, all of the orders, the custom orders, and the sweet words of encouragement that I have received. It is truly a joy to create handmade items! (p.s.- The shop "reopens" on October 5th and I can not wait to share with you the new goodies, fall buntings, new storybook buntings, and the advent bunting that is coming y'all!! Stay tuned!!)
One of my favorite posts of the summer was sharing with y'all my heart as I have learned to delight in the beauty of the ordinary.
While we didn't travel due to my health there were several short trips to places for various reasons. There was a lovely drive through Essex to Essex Farms and there were several trips back and forth to Vermont this summer due to doctors visits and health reasons and the ferry rides were filled with beauty.
There was projects to complete for The Twinery - what a joy it is to be on the design team for them! It is so fun to create and is humbling to be in such a talented and encouraging group of people! Two of my favorite projects to create this summer were the backyard sheet and the teapot mini-album projects!
There was a precious few days with my sister when she came in July! We had such a delightful time and had so many laughs that has filled my heart for the weeks following her visit!
And finally something that was dear to my heart was the announcement of a ministry that has been prayed over, thought through, talked about, cried over, and seen the mighty hand of the Lord's blessing in a million different ways. SEEN Gathering has been such a delight to be apart of and it has touched so many peoples hearts already. It had been in the works for so long behind the scenes that it was exciting and nerve-wracking to share with others but it has been an amazing journey so far!
It is strange when you start something like this because you step out and you follow the Lord's calling even when somethings don't make sense. One of the ways that I have seen this is in the way of who the Lord has called to be apart of the team. There were some people who had originally expressed interest in SEEN Gathering being a "big" conference but when it changed to a MUCH different (and smaller!) ministry I had several people who had expressed "so much interest" back out. It saddened me to realize (belatedly) that these people liked the idea of "big" and that was the draw to be apart of this. BUT y'all... the LORD is faithful and as we follow HIM He is SO good. I see over and over the Lord's goodness in providing people who are not about any glory or fame but about loving on the people in front of them in extravagant ways with no glory to them. NO ONE involved in SEEN Gathering desire anything but that those who encounter the ministry are encouraged and that they know that they are not forgotten. We want them to know that they are loved by God and have a unique purpose. NONE of us at SEEN Gathering want anything but the Lord to get the glory. And honestly I have been brought to tears at the amount of emails and people we have heard from. SO many people need the Lord's love and sometimes all that means is opening your heart to who is right in front of you friends. It might not "seem" big or flashy but that is okay. If you have something the Lord is calling you to step out and trust Him. Even if it seems small or people leave, follow the Lord! There are NO small offerings to God! YOU are changing your world and the Lord is getting the glory.
Looking back on all of these things reminds me of the countless ways the Lord is always near. I pray that you see that today sweet friends as we say goodbye to summer and hello to the sweet autumn!
As I write this I am silently shaking my head at the way that the Lord works in our lives. If you had told me several years ago that this would be the direction that the Lord would lead I would have laughed out loud. Sometimes, I still giggle because in my wildest imagination I could never have imagined sharing about a new ministry that I have just started. But today is the day and in many ways it feels like I have been waiting for August 14th for years instead of months. But I am getting ahead of myself... Let me back up and share a little bit about what has been happening:
In 2009 I started to see my health start to disintegrate without any explanation. As time continued and I started to experience strange and worsening symptoms I was finally forced to make a heart breaking decision to leave the job that I loved (a High School Teacher) and move back home with my parents. At first this was to be a temporary decision but as time continued in the fall of 2012 it became quickly obvious that something was not right. After traveling across the country, becoming unable to walk, and seeing more than 273 doctors I was finally correctly diagnosed with Advanced Late Stage Lyme Disease in March 2013. Three short months later I was also diagnosed with Cancer.
Those years were extremely difficult and lonely and as I saw everything around me start to shatter, became isolated due to illness and have fought to regain my health I have connected with thousands of others who are also walking the journey of chronic health problems. Like many of those who struggle with chronic health issues, I had many people in my life "leave" as the journey continued much longer than any of us thought.
Thankfully I have also had several family members and dear friends who have walked this incredibly long journey with me. While there would be too many to list here on this blog, Jen, has courageously LIVED the life of a woman who loves God despite incredibly difficult health circumstances. Jen, who is the modern day inspiration behind SEEN Gathering, has lived the words "you are not alone" to me and many others with chronic health issues.
In response to all of these circumstances I started to blog more and more about my health and the struggles that I have been facing through my "Notes on the Porch" updates. Last August I wrote a blog post entitled, "those that the American Church has forgotten" that received acknowledgment, gratitude and criticism from thousands across the United States.
And it was at this time that the Lord started to give me a dream of encouraging the hearts of those who feel forgotten and "hidden" due to Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain. After a ton of "God-things" occurred the original idea was to launch an annual event & conference for those who are struggling with chronic illness (and their families) to encourage and inspire each attendee to give them a sense of community. But as time continued I had a vision that morphed into SEEN Gathering being a place that provided a retreat & conference (in future years) but first would provide encouragement and hope on a more practical level through the website and various avenues. And so SEEN Gathering has been born.
To be honest this has been a journey in my heart as much as it has been a practical journey of learning how to create a website, figuring out legal logistics, and dreaming big about how to touch those that are hurting. For so long my dream has been to get well to get "back to real life" and "back in the classroom" and a host of other things. But the Lord has been quietly stirring my heart to follow after Him and into a wild and unknown future that He is writing before me. I argued a lot at first. I said often to those who know me well, "I never want to do anything with sick world" - almost to convince myself that God was wrong in His calling. I kicked and screamed in my heart and heard the Lord softly whispering, "follow me".
And then I surrendered.
Some have said this idea is crazy and will never work. But the Lord delights in impossibilities. And some said have been less then encouraging but the Lord has led and with that surrender has come a joyful peace that can't be described. And the Lord's peace and guidance and blessing has been beyond abundant. And for all those that may doubt, there are so many that have come along side me to bring this to fruition. No one involved is looking for anything except ways to serve so many that we know are hurting. To live out scripture in its most practical form that we can to those that we encounter.
Did you know that the NIH (National Institute of Health) states that 7 out of 10 people struggle with a chronic illness everyday? The CDC states that seventy-five percent of our health dollars go to the treatment of chronic illness. These statistics are staggering and mean that there are a whole lot of people that could use Jesus' love day in and day out. Many of these people are hurt and broken.
SEEN Gathering is a ministry designed to inspire, encourage, and create community among those with Chronic health problems (specifically those that are "chronicittles" {teenagers through 40s}). Through a variety of avenues (including a blog, articles, a church outreach program, the Crate 526 program, a magazine, a retreat, etc.) SEEN Gathering desires to be a place of rest and inspiration for all who gather. At the heart of everything we celebrate the Hope that we have in Jesus despite chronic illness and pain and encourage each person to live fully where you are. While many chronic illnesses and pains are hidden, you are NOT. You are important. Your are loved by God. You have a unique purpose. You are not forgotten. You are not alone.
You are SEEN.
SEEN Gathering's name and mission comes from Mark 5: 25-34. This beautiful story in scripture illustrates the love and the compassion that Jesus has for everyone struggling with illness and pain. He does SEE the suffering and is close to comfort us in our pain.
Thank you so much to all that have been walking this journey with me and praying for me. Thank you for your excitement about what the Lord is doing. I am so humbly grateful for the support for this ministry. Want to find out more? Click HERE!
With Lots of Love,
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