Fighting ANOTHER Battle.

Oh.My.Gosh.

At least my life is never boring. I'm so glad I waited til now to write this though, because God has shown Himself so awesomely in this situation, that this post will be totally different now. Last night it would have been a bunch of whining and poor me. {I do NOT do pain well. I can handle A LOT...the MG, the trach issues, the weakness, but NOT severe pain}. Anyway.

Saturday night about midnight-1:00 AM I popped another rib out. On the left side, up higher this time. There really isn't a way to descibe the pain. Just try to imagine your rib sticking out of where it is supposed to be, and the inflamation and nerve pain associated with it. Ew. My precious sister Pam deals with chronic back pain every day. I do NOT know how she does it. And she has such a gracious, godly attitude. Talk about inspiration!

My wonderful chiropractor had told Doug and I a long time ago that he's the only "Giovanucci" in the phone book (in podunk Allegan), and that if we needed him on the weekend to call him. So I called him Sunday morning...the pain was unbearable. He met us at his shop and got the rib back in. Hurts like a *beep* but at least I could walk again. My dear friend Shawn took Jacob today so I can rest and not hurt myself more. I love you Shawn. You are truly a sister to me.

So, if you live anywhere near Allegan, MI, and you need a chiropractor, go to Riverfront Chiropractic, to Dr. Luciano Giovanucci (Dr. Lu). He is AWESOME.

Anywho....last night I was just bawling and feeling sorry for myself. I'm like, WHY?!?!?! I had ONE good day, and then this happens! It's like God has something against me. I was so sad and in so much pain. Little did I know that Shawn and a few other ladies were praying over me...a LOT. And this morning, although I woke up in pain, I have a MUCH better attitude. They prayed against discouragement, and wouldn't you know I do not feel discouraged at all today! Glory to God!

Then, Shawn just "happens" to read a page this morning in a book that I also "happen" to have, called Praying the Names of Jesus by Ann Spangler. The name of Jesus featured here is Immanuel...God with us. The author writes (on p. 26). "What does it mean that God is with us? Surely it doesn't mean our lives will be easy. It doesn't mean we will be insulated from failure or doubt or that God will take our side in every argument. But is DOES mean we will never have EVEN A SINGLE STRUGGLE ALONE. It means the Lord will never withhold the help we need to do His will. It means that ultimitely we will come out on top even if we feel we're living most our life on the bottom" (emphasis mine).

Spangler continues a bit later: "Take a moment today to stop imagining yourself surrounded by all your difficulties and instead begin to envision yourself AS YOU REALLY ARE-- surrounded by the presence of your faithful God. Invoke His name--Immanuel" (emphasis mine).

So I just thought well crap on you satan. You're NOT taking this victory I've had; this huge, amazing, God-sent miracle medicine that has literally changed my ability to breathe. Never forget, friends, that the battle we fight is NOT against flesh and blood. It's not about my rib. Yes, the devil knows that pain is my biggest weakness. Why does God allow it? I don't know. But I DO know that I will try my best to glorify Him through it all.

And say thank you, thank you, thank you, to my dear friends who lift me up in prayer; some are so close, some far away, some I've never even met. Some that are warriors who cover me in prayer. Thank you. You are making SUCH a difference in the way I live my life. I could not win this battle without you.