...with the CRUD?

It’s back. 

The CRUD is back.

I hate it.

At least I dislike it very, very much.

By CRUD, I do not mean the head-stuffy, chest-congested, fever-raging flu bug.

I mean the Contrary Relentless Underlying Disturbance of stress-paralyzing grief junk.

(And I don't mean the sweet, romanticized, misty-eyed longing type. I mean the ugly, painful, piercing, hard type.)

It’s Contrary - it will NOT go away no matter what I try to do.

It’s Relentless - it lasts far too long and controls way too much.

It’s Underlying - it lurks just below the surface…even when I ignore or stuff it.

It’s Disturbing - it pushes peace and joy and calm right out the door when it attacks.

It lowers my stress tolerance, raises my irritability level, and steals my emotional control.

It leaves me wimpy, weak, and wobbly.

I wish it didn't have to try to ruin this wonderful, cheerful, Jesus-focused time of year that Michael loved so very much.

My to-do list terrifies me because I have lost all confidence in my ability to manage those tasks successfully. My failures would be okay if they just affected me. But this stuff matters to other people in my world. So, I suppose it’s time to pull out the trusty guns of self-discipline and will-power and push over and past and through…the CRUD.

But. I. Don’t. Want. To.

I WANT to sit in a comfy chair in my brightly decorated living room, poring over memories, drinking Michael’s favorite drink, wrapped in a blanket that sports my three favorite pics of the two of us…

writing if I want, coloring if I want, painting if I want, reading if I want…crying if I want.

I WANT to feel it all and stay right here in the middle of the pain.

Because if I feel the pain, I know I’ve not forgotten.

I don’t want to forget.

I want to be okay, I really do - in a way. But I also don’t want to forget the pain.

Because I don’t want to forget him.

It’s an odd balance to try and find.

I can’t just quit life and sit this month out.

I can’t stop trying to provide Christmas memories for my kids.

I can’t stop working on the church Christmas program.

I can’t stop trying to manage the household while tracking down all the right gifts.

I really don’t want to do this without Michael.

I don’t want to be alone – but I want my husband back…not just anyone.

Having other people around isn’t always helpful. I’m an introvert through and through.

So trying to do crowd events while dealing with the CRUD exhausts me and makes me feel vulnerable and weak…AGAIN.

And the brain fog is back...the CRUD’s partner in crime.

It’s eerily reminiscent of those first few torturous months.

I’ve had so many good days this year that I’ve been able to pretend the CRUD doesn’t affect me anymore.

WRONG!  

And most likely it is here to stay until mid-January.

So. What to do…what to do…

I HAVE to be here for my kids. They still need me to be fully engaged as mom.

I HAVE to continue reaching out. 

                   There are others who need prayer and encouragement even more than I do!

I HAVE to help with school work and projects. Who else is going to pick that up?

I HAVE to deal with the finances, vehicles, and yard work. It sure isn't my neighbor’s job.

Deep down I WANT to.

But those things may be ALL I can do for now.

I may never ever write a book or compose a hit song or speak anywhere or have
         anything much of value to offer society…

I may never paint anything worthwhile or have a social media post go viral…

I may never be a great cook and hostess or have a Pinterest-worthy home…

I may never be sought after for advice or consulted by others as an expert on any subject…

I may never be famous or sport a killer wardrobe…

But if I can manage to come out of this still loving Jesus,

still feeling His presence and smile in my heart, 

            and still enjoying a good relationship with my kids, 

                                               I will deem it a success.

They say Jesus uses cracked pots…broken vessels.

They say Jesus can take tragedy and turn it into triumph.

They say Jesus can coax beauty from ashes.

They say Jesus turns sorrow into joy.

They say it’s about WHO GOD IS – not what I’m not.

That thought, my friends, brings true comfort!

So, what will I do?

I’ll try to get adequate rest.

I’ll tackle those lists one tiny bite at a time.

I’ll turn on my favorite Christmas music and the lights on the tree.

I’ll bring school work upstairs so we can sit by the big windows and soak up the day’s light.

I’ll walk over and check on my elderly, widowed neighbor and text my hurting friend.

I’ll rejoice in small victories along the way!

I’ll revel in the blessings our Heavenly Father has dumped all over my family!

I’ll bask in God’s promises of provision, protection, and grace.

I’ll praise Him for the day’s renewed mercies and my treasure box of memories.

I’ll remember that this, too, shall pass…

And…I’ll survive! In Jesus’s embrace.

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.              2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Crawling up 

into Jesus's lap,

P.S. In Michael's memory as well as because many people miss it, I'd absolutely LOVE to get his internet radio station up and running again. So I would totally appreciate prayers that I can find the right people to help me with this project. Thanks...