Disability Archives - Page 3 of 7

Articles, Christian Living, Devotionals, Disability

Be Anxious for Nothing – Weekend Devotional

Cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. ~1 Peter 5:7

This verse has been coming to my mind over and over again lately. I was up all night Friday sick from pain and nausea, and my pain worsened throughout the day yesterday. Last night my heart rate was dangerously high so I went to the ER. I’ve always had high heart rate but never this sevete. Thankfully after several large doses of meds and antibiotics it finally slowed down. Also, while there, the doctor read my last urine culture from last week and it confirmed an infection. I could not have asked for better service in the ER. Everyone was extremely nice and helpful. I’m super grateful for my parents and my cousin Laurie who went with me last night.So thankful for all they do for me.

The infection and pain are the causes of my heart rate. However, they did a couple tests to make sure my heart was okay and praise the Lord all turned out good. I’m still planning to go to Winston Salem tomorrow for my appointment with a urology specialist, but we are waiting to drive down in the morning, and not today as originally planned. All of that being said, I woke this morning feeling very overwhelmed but that is when the Lord reminded me of this verse in 1 Peter.

So many times instead of giving our cares to Jesus, we share them with everyone else but Him. I have s tendency to be anxious and worry. My mom has always told me that as soon as I drop one worry, I pick up another. However, that is not how God wants us to live. Throughout scriptiure He makes it very clear that we should be anxious for nothing, and an example of this is found in Philippians 4:6-7.

I like the way the message paraphrase reads. It states,”Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”

Jesus does not find joy in seeing his children fret and suffer. He does not promise a life free of pain, but does promise to camfort and give us what we need. He delights, pursues relentlessly, and desires to give us rest. As we surrender and submit to Him our entire perspective changes. Being physically sick is hard enough without adding worry into the mix. Even though the past few days have not been easy for me, Jesus has given me the joy and grace I need for each moment which makes my sickness seem more tolerable. As a follower of Christ, He is my first love and the king of my heart. Instead limiting us, submitting to Christ frees us to be the people He created us to be.

Whether you are going through a season of joy or sorrow, I hope these nuggets of truth will encourage you as they have me this morning.

Thank you Jesus for comforting my soul today and for giving me peace and a reason to praise even in the hard!

That is my prayer for each of you as well.

Articles, Christian Living, Disability, Family

🌷Health Update🌷

Happy Friday friends! I have been quiet on the blog front lately, and wanted to write an update.

I can’t believe spring is already around the corner. As I think of spring I pray for fresh ideas and new beginnings. With those, also come prayers for my health. The past few weeks have been especially hard dealing with lots of pain and nausea from these bladder infections. I have pretty much been completely home and bed bound. However, the lord has been extremely gracious on the heard days reminding me of different reasons to have joy. One Bible verse that keeps coming to my mind recently is Nehemiah 8:10. It states,

“This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

One of my favorite books of the Bible is Nehemiah, and as I have been reading through it recently, I have been reminded of what a Godly example Nehemiah is to my current circumstances. Nehemiah was faced with much adversity, but with the help of the Lord, he did not let that stop him from being obedient to the Lord’s calling. Nehemiah faced a great deal of sadness, but he immediately took his worries and cares to the Father crying out for his help and deliverance. Even though times were tough, God gave Nehemiah the strength he needed to press on, and proved that joy is not dependent upon circumstances. I am grateful for the nuggets of wisdom God has given me while studying this book, and one of those is prayer.

Just like Nehemiah, I am facing a season of adversity. While in my flesh I may feel like complaining to those around me and having a pity party, the first place I should take every thought and problem in my life is directly to the throne of the Almighty. Even though at times it is tempting, there is no need to discuss and cry out to everyone else instead of the Lord. He asks that we come to Him first and foremost for everything that we need. Nehemiah practiced this in his day to day life, and God never let a Him down. Jesus delights in us and desires to be the lover of our souls. He wants us to pray and depend on Him for our every need. Communion with God, and the power of prayer allows the impossible to be possible. That being said, I am asking each of you to be prayer warriors on my behalf.

On Monday, February 27, I have an appointment with a urology specialist in Winston Salem at Wake Forest Baptist with a physician named Dr. Badlani. I have no idea what to expect with this visit. However, I am hopeful that it would be helpful, and praying that it is not another dead end. Would you cover me in prayer throughout this weekend and all day on Monday? My appointment is Monday at 11:30am, and I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for me that day. Some specific prayer requests would be:

– That this appointment would not be another dead end, and that Dr. Badlani would be knowledgeable regarding my situation.

-Pray for Dr. Badlani to give us advice on what to expect in the future regarding these infections and treatment plans. Pray that he looks at the big picture of the past two years, and listens to what we have to say. We realize that he is not going to be able to provide the perfect solution, and that there is no easy fix to my problems. However, we want him to be willing to try to help and come alongside my other physicians when necessary.

-Pray that he recognizes how sick I have been and that God gives him the wisdom and knowledge to know the next steps he needs to take to provide me with relief.

-Pray for our travel to and from Winston Salem. While it is not too far away, the trip is going to be difficult for me because I’m so weak. We are driving down on Sunday and staying at a hotel that evening so I don’t have to make the trip all in one day. Pray that my pain would be minimal and that I am able to rest comfortably in the hotel. Pray for my mom as well as she will be driving and caring for me, and that God gives her the strength and energy she needs.

Thanks so much for praying dear friends. Your prayers mean more to me than you will ever know.
Also, Thank you for your continued notes of encouragement. Please know that they bring so much cheer to my days. Even if I’m not always able to respond right away, I read each one, and they always come at just the right time.

I will definitely update you on how the appointment goes. I may not post an update on Monday because it is going to be a crazy day. However, even though you won’t hear from me then, I will definitely post as soon as I can. I am planning to start an audio blog soon to share updates with you as well as devotions and what God is teaching me. Be on the lookout for that.

Thanks for standing with me during this season. I love and am so thankful for all of you.

Christian Living, Devotionals, Disability

The Joy of Jesus – Weekend Devotional

Joy. Lately I’ve been praying for joy and peace. Lots of it. This past week has been rough health-wise. However, over the last few days I have been reminded yet again that joy is always ours for the taking. Life does not have to be perfect to be joyful, and health does not have to be good. In fact, joy is more precious when born out of difficulties.

The joy that comes in the morning after a long weary night is one of the best gifts Jesus gives.

In the darkest of days when joy seems impossible all we have to do is ask, and the Lord will meet us where we are. Our problems may not be resolved, but before long our heart doesn’t seem as heavy and our outlook not as bleak. This is all because of a Savior who loves us with an everlasting love and delights in bringing joy to our circumstances. Friend, I don’t know what you are facing today but my prayer is that you will enter into the joy of the Lord. It truly is the best place to be.

Articles, Devotionals, Disability, Family, Friendship, Holidays

2016 in Review – Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! 🎄🎄🎄

If I had one word to sum up 2016, I would say hard. This year I had high hopes that my health would be restored but things have not worked out that way. However, things have happened exactly as they were supposed too. One quote describes exactly how I feel. Kelli Stuart states, There is a lot of evil in the world but there is also a lot of good, so let’s focus on the good. In 2016, I have seen a lot of good in the midst of hard. When I’m feeling down I remind myself of the good God has done. His grace is sufficient. I do not know what my future holds, or if my prayers will be answered in the way I think they should be. Although, I do know God will give me His strength to press on. Since being sick, I have begun to view life in a different way.

Life is short and none of us know what is ahead so instead of spending our days weary, bitter, or worried, we should be obedient to Jesus and live everyday to the fullest. Also, we need to live each day offering love and forgiveness to those around us. His yoke is easy and His burden is light, and we need to accept the peace that Jesus longs to give us.

I have started writing a list of what I call “Daily Joys.” Each day I write about the joys of my day and this helps me fight the battle of discouragement. I plan to chronicle my daily joys throughout 2017, and I hope you will do the same. You will be surprised how much cheer this exercise brings to a difficult day. Below are a few of my “Daily Joys,” and the good I have found in this year.

– My Salvation – My relationship with Jesus makes life worth living, He is my Savior and the Lover of my Soul.

-God has literally walked my family and I through fires and have helped us stand firm in the midst of difficult circumstances.

– Grace upon grace. Jesus revealed this to me in the deepest ways this year. One of my favorite songs says, “your grace abounds in deepest waters.” That is so true, and such a gift. This year when I’ve felt like everything was caving around me, Jesus always rescued me.

– Wondeful home health and Palliative nurses – This group of ladies bless and encourage me daily. All of my nurses and my palliative care physician have gone above and beyond what is expected in their care for me this year. I love each of you. Thanks for serving me so well and fighting for me!

– Everything has been stripped away. My health, job, finances, etc. While this may not sound good at first, it is. It is good because it has allowed me to lean on Jesus more than ever before, and I’ve seen a Him show up in amazing ways. He always provides.

– My Family – My parents have always been my best friends but during this trial we have gotten even closer. They take such good care of me, and I’ve treasured the extra moments we’ve had together. Also, I’m thankful for the extra time I get to spend with my extended family. My Gran stays with me two days a week to help out and my aunt and cousin Lexi visit me every Saturday. I’m so grateful for the extra time spent with them. They truly bring goodness and joy to my days.

– My Friends – When you experience trials, it shows you who are your true friends are. While most of my best friends aren’t local, they have encouraged me this year, and God has used them to bless me tremendously. They are my prayer warriors, encouragers, and counselors. I know I can always count o these ladies. They hold me up and are my tribe.

– My dogs Coco and Lucy – Animals are a gift from the Lord and they bring me so much joy each day. I thank God for them.

As you go throughout this Christmas week, take some time to reflect and thank God for the good He has given you this year.

Also, stay tuned to my blog as I have some new blog series that I will be announcing in the new year. In the meantime though I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I will see you in 2017!

Articles, Christian Living, Daily Inspirations, Disability, Family, Friendship, Holidays

Thank You

Hi friends,

It has been a while since I have posted but I wanted to write a quick update regarding my health. The past few weeks have been extremely difficult. I have dealt with another bladder infection which is a very stubborn bacteria. I finished a round of iv antibiotic treatment one week ago, and unfortunately I think the infection is already returning. I will have another test tomorrow to confirm that and will hopefullly start another round of treatments. Please pray that the bacteria will show up clearly, that I will be put on the right antibiotic ASAP, and that we are given wisdom and the right resources moving forward regarding treatment options. The infection is still lingering, and I’m hoping to get started on medication again soon. Also, pray for me over Thanksgiving that I am able to enjoy time with family without being in pain, and that I keep the right attitude in the midst of hard.

Thank you all so much for the continued prayers and sweet notes you send my way. Even though I am not always able to respond I do read them all, and I am greatly encouraged by them. I am so thankful for each one of you and thank God for you daily!

Be sure to check the blog again tomorrow as I will start a series called “In Everything Give Thanks.” I look forward to sharing more with you. 🙂

Articles, Christian Living, Devotionals, Disability

Blog and Life Update

Below is an update from a newsletter I recently sent out, and I thought I would share it here as well.

Health/Life Update

Hello Prayer Warriors,

Thanks for your continued prayers! For those of you who are just now reading my blog and following my journey, I am currently dealing with some ongoing health issues. Over the past two years I have had three major surgeries and been home bound much of the time. One surgery was to remove my colon and the other two were from complications dealing with my small bowel. Because of my Cerebral Palsy, I have a neurogenic bowel and bladder which means they are slow and do not function normally. We think this is the cause of the recurring bladder infections I am dealing with that have been hard to treat. Due to constant infections, I have been on antibiotics continually over the last few months. However, I have an appointment with a new urologist at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, NC in a few weeks. While I know, this is not an easy fix, I pray that he is able to shed some light on the situation.

The past two weeks have been some of the hardest days physically that I have dealt with in a while. I have been bed bound most days with pain, no energy, and dealing with side effects from medications, However, in the midst of all of this, God is faithful. I am so thankful for all the folks praying for me and lifting me up during this season. Your prayers and encouragement mean so much to me and I am daily blessed by you. One verse that has encouraged me lately, and a scripture I am holding tight to right now is Romans 8:18 which states,

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Blog Update-
Prior to my last surgery in May, I posted a Bible verse or inspirational quote on the blog each day that I called “Daily Inspirations.” However, I have not kept up with those, but am starting them again this week. Through the month of October the theme for my “Daily Inspirations ” is going to be favorite quotes from people that I consider to be “Heroes of The Faith,” so stay tuned for that.

Also, I am currently writing a 31 day series on the book of Nehemiah through the month of October. I would love for you to read along with me as I study the Word, and post about what I am learning. I may not be able to post every day but I will post as often as possible.

To read my Nehemiah series visit here –

https://ameliamcneilly.com/category/31-days-nehemiah/

Books, Disability, Reading

Love Without Limits Book Review

Love without Limits is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read. This book shares the love story of a couple who is completely surrendered to Christ. Nick and his wife’s story is one that only God could have written. Their love for one another goes beyond a disability and what others think. As a person with a disability myself, this story gives me hope. This is a must read for everyone because no matter what circumstances you may be facing right now, this will encourage and challenge you. I look forward to their next book.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

Articles, Christian Living, Disability, Family, Friendship

Update from Amelia 💛

Hi friends! Thank you all so much for your prayers over the past few weeks.

My surgery went well. My intestines were kinked together and pressing against my abdominal wall, but Dr. Dobson was able to fix the problem without complications — Praise the Lord!

I am currently home and recovering. I saw Dr. Dobson again this past week and he is hopeful that things will continue to improve. However, I am still extremely weak so prayers for strength, energy, and stamina would be greatly appreciated. I have therapy exercises that I am doing, and am now able to get in the pool so that is helpful. Also, I have a wonderful home health nurse visiting me weekly which is super helpful and encouraging, and I also receive palliative care services. I recently received a hospital bed from palliative which has helped me rest so much better at home. I am deeply grateful for all of these healthcare professionals who make my recovery easier, and who help to ease my pain. They are such a huge blessing to me and my family. The Lord has been so good to me and I’m thankful for the strength He gives me daily to press on!

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. It means so much to me. I am daily inspired by your calls, notes, and visits. I am still home bound and unable to be out and about but I love having phone calls and company for those who live nearby. Give me a call sometime or stop by for a visit. I would love to hear from you and know how you are doing. I am so thankful for all of you! Please let me know how I can pray for you as well!

I hope you all are enjoying the weekend and this warm weather! Summer is here! 😊

Articles, Christian Living, Disability, Family, Friendship

Leave it in the Hands of the Healer

On Friday (tomorrow), I go in for another surgery on my small bowel. Because of my previous surgeries, there could be a lot of risks involved with this. However, I am praying that all goes well and this will improve my quality of life. The past few months and especially the last few weeks have been extremely hard health-wise. I have spent a lot of time in bed with a lot of pain, but in the midst of all of the hard God has been incredibly gracious. He has blessed me with two wonderful parents who love and care for me so well. I know it is not always easy for them but they show Jesus to me everyday in their care of me. God has also blessed me with an amazing group of friends who daily encourage me in different ways, and are continually praying for me.

It is so much easier going through the hard seasons when you have a solid group of people alongside you. I thank God daily for the community He has given me. Most importantly though, I thank God for the relationship I have with Jesus Christ.

Without Jesus, I would be living as a lady with no hope. Without Jesus, I would be scared out of my mind right now (I am nervous, but I would be even more so without the Lord), and without Jesus, I would be bitter. But Jesus still gives me LIFE and HOPE even on the most dreary days.

When my body is tired and overwhelmed, and I am not knowing how to pray the Lord knows. He understands, and is giving me the nudge I need to carry on. At times it may seem that the Lord is completely absent but He is not. He is always there loving and leading. The Lord knows me better than anybody and loves me more than anyone ever could so why do I doubt Him? Why do I fear? He has proven faithful over the course of my 31 years, and He will continue to do so.

Over the weekend, I let thoughts of fear and worry creep in my mind. They brought along misery, sadness, anger, and doubt. During those moments the Lord gently reminded me that since I have Him, I should have no fear. This verse came to mind from Isaiah 41:10 –

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

This truth from Scripture reminded me that I have no reason to worry. God wants to know that I trust Him and will surrender my everything to Him even if I don’t know what the future holds.

My act of obedience during this season is trusting the Lord and fearing Him instead of fearing my circumstances.

As Friday nears I am focusing on fearing God and trusting Him to carry me through. As one of my favorite songs says, “leave it in the hands of the Healer and walk away.”

Surrender your fears to Him today and His peace will rule in your heart more than you could ever imagine.

Thank you to all who have prayed for me. Your prayers are being felt, and are greatly encouraging. My friend Erin will be updating via email. If you would like to receive these updates join the Google Group here, or send me a message.

Articles, Christian Living, Disability

Fearless

Fear. All throughout Scripture Christ commands us not to fear. However, as humans that is easier said than done. Sometimes the circumstances of life can be so overwhelming, and you don’t know how to be unafraid. Sometimes the future can seem so dark and scary in that you don’t want to move for fear of what will or won’t happen next. It would be so much easier if we could just know what was around the bend, but as one of my favorite Amy Grant songs says, “Sometimes, it’s better not to know, which way its going to go, what will die and what will grow, it’s better not to know.”

Those are simple but very true words. We may not know what is next in life, but there is one who does, and His name is Jesus. I have never been more grateful for His presence than I have been in this season.

If you have been following my journey for the past year or so, you know that I have been having some serious health problems. In January of 2015, I had my colon removed and following that spent over five weeks in the hospital due to life-threatening complications. Following that, has been a huge recovery process, but in November things started to get worse again. After several months of pain and problems with my ostomy, I saw my surgeon in March and he told me news that I didn’t want to hear — more surgery. More surgery for me could be complicated and very risky, but it has to be done. Dr. Dobson said there are possibly partial blockages and scar tissue but he will not know the extent of what is going on until he goes in. Due to my previous surgeries, this one is not going to be easy and there are more risks involved than normal — we are not sure what to expect or even how long I will be in the hospital. Because of what happened last year, not knowing more details has been hard, and I have been fearful of the outcome.

However, the Lord has so gently and lovingly reminded me this week of all the times He commands in His word not to fear or be afraid. Jesus is my everything, and He deserves my full obedience in all circumstances. No matter what occurs, God wants me to obey His word and trust Him. The situation is out of my control so worrying about it is not going to change anything. But there is one thing I can control and that is my choice to trust the Lord and surrender my will to His which means trusting Him with my life and believing that He is powerful enough to handle what comes my way.

[clickToTweet tweet=”If I believe Jesus like I say I do then I should be fearless. ~@ameliamcneilly” quote=”If I believe Jesus like I say I do then I should be fearless. The only person I need to fear is God, and He will take care of the rest. “]

Lately, as I have been meditating on different Scripture passages related to this, God has given me a peace that passes all understanding. My circumstances have not changed, but my heart has. As 1 John 4:18 says, “perfect love casts out all fear.” Other verses that have encouraged me are:

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ~Isaiah 41:10

“Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.” ~John 14:27

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~Joshua 1:9

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” ~Matthew 6:34

In closing, I want to thank all of you for your encouragement and prayers. It means so much to me. Several have asked how they can specifically be praying for me leading up to the surgery so I have decided to send out an email with regular prayer requests and updates regarding my surgery. The surgery is set for May 20, and I would love for you to be a part of my squad of prayer warriors cheering me on in this journey.

Send me a message by visiting this link and I will add you to the list. Thanks friends!

https://ameliamcneilly.com/contact/

ameliamcneilly

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