With Patience Comes The Pay Off!

Some days it seems as though our troubles, stresses and unhealthy bodies over take our minds to the point of consuming us altogether.  It is these days that can either make us or break us in this life.

Today is a bright sun shining day and I am full of optimism for the future, ready to tackle it with great strength and resolve.  But this day only comes because of the dark days that preceded it.  During the dark days we tend to look at life and our troubles as too much to bear for one person, all-consuming and downright devastating.  I am here to tell you, and myself, look for the brighter days ahead when darkness is all around you!  Have faith that your troubles are shaping you, giving you experience and ultimately making you better if you will allow the Maker to do His work!

Over the past weekend I had many ups and downs with my emotion concerning my health issues.   I have felt, for the past 7 months, empowered and driven to find a way to overcome my gluten intolerance, Hashimoto’s, hormone imbalance and weight gain.  But alas, this weekend became a volcano of disappointment when I realized I feel no better today than I did when I first started this journey.  In fact, I have gained about 5 lbs – not much too many but way too much for me when I am trying to go the other way.  My efforts to eat better, take vitamins and now minerals that I was lacking, diligently take my thyroid medications, get better sleep,  to abstain from any trace of gluten and drink bone broth every day, in my limited view, has not been proven to be working!

Why do I tell you this?  Because of a little thing that some wouldn’t find significant but that the Lord so pleasingly pointed out over the past 12 hours.  Last night I had a non-significant salad with my dinner.  I put a gluten free dressing on and began to eat.  For some reason I decided to find the “GF” logo on the dressing bottle and couldn’t find it.  I then began to read the ingredients, it very clearly said, “made with wheat.”  Sure enough, there in the ingredients list was soy sauce very prominently.  Why did I buy this without checking the label first?  Well, I bought it from the gluten free section at my grocery store.  I figured they wouldn’t put it there unless it was gluten free!  Right?!

Immediately I panicked inside.  Without making a big deal I stopped eating my salad and decided to deal with the aftermath tomorrow when everyone was gone.  No one would have to know I was in bed all day unable to muster up the energy to get up!  I would do my motherly obligations with a smile until everyone was gone and then collapse in silence.

This morning I woke at 5:30 am and started everyone getting ready for their day.  Without even a thought about my impending doom for the day I was able to get everyone off and begin my own “productive” day.  It wasn’t until 10:00 am that I remembered what had happened the night before with my salad. As I thought about how I felt and checked all my tell-tale signs I began to realize that my usual aftermath of eating even a small amount of gluten was nowhere to be seen.  In fact, I feel really good and able to conquer a major project I had planned for today.  What a blessing, miracle or just a simple sign that things are healing and to keep forging ahead!

Whatever I label it doesn’t matter.  What does matter is that sometimes hard things take time to accomplish.  We don’t always get to see the progress that is being made until it is almost finished.  That is where faith comes in.  Let the process work and keep the faith that what you are doing will eventually be for the betterment of not only you but those who cross your path!

And while you are patiently waiting for progress, have a mug of Hot Chocolate!

Dairy Free But Oh So Yummy Hot Chocolate

8 oz Vanilla Coconut Milk
Your Favorite Hot Chocolate (Godiva for me)
Dash of salt
1/8 tsp of cinnamon

Warm coconut milk in a small pan.  Pour into a mug and add chocolate cocoa.  Add salt, cinnamon and stir.  Now sit and be patient!