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Good Days...Bad Days With Maureen Pratt

“Leave God out of this.” “You pray too much.” “Let’s not talk about God anymore.” If any of these or similar remarks sound familiar to you, you’re not alone. I’ve heard these and many other comments throughout my life, and especially when speaking with people who are in pain, living with illness, or are caring…

Ever had a knot in your stomach? Or one in your shoulder? Ever had that feeling that you were the knot, all balled up and tight and immovable? Ever felt like, “If only I could get rid of this knot – life would be perfect!” Whether a physical, emotional, or spiritual knot, feeling the tension…

As a musician, I appreciate really good harmony. When several pitches combine to create a full, complex sound, melody is transformed into something even more beautiful, and I just have to sit back, listen, and enjoy. Our lives with chronic illness can find such a relaxing, de-stressing harmony, too. It requires a little effort in…

Sometimes, you just want to cry. But, the particular moment might not be the best. Perhaps your children need you, or your spouse is dealing with a difficult problem of his or her own. Maybe you’re at work, and the environment leaves you exposed and feeling terribly vulnerable. Or, maybe you’re driving, cooking, cleaning, or…

I asked my eye doc if she was going on vacation this summer. She said she couldn’t, but she’d live vicariously through her patients who could. This got me to thinking about  how, if we’re too sick to travel, or don’t have the time or money to go on a real vacation, we might fashion…

I have always loved the Fourth of July. As a student of Early American History, I especially like revisiting the events surrounding the Declaration of Independence and framing of the U.S. Constitution, as well as the remarkable men and women who were able to set aside their differences long enough to come together to birth…

Sometimes, when we’re very ill or our pain is overwhelming, we might get to the point where God seems to not exist actively in our lives. We might not be able to feel the comfort or peace we enjoy when God’s presence is palpable. We might even doubt that God is with us at all.…

Martyrs and missionaries make astounding sacrifices each day to bring the Gospel and God’s love to others. They commit themselves to monumental tasks, knowing that they are giving their lives over to serving and, sometimes, dying for others and the Lord.  And when we look upon these heroic individuals and measure our own lives against…

As we journey through our lives with chronic pain and illness, we undoubtedly will come across people who ask us “How are you?” Some are truly caring and want to be empathetic and/or reach out with help. Others are being polite, but might not be expecting details (especially not the gory ones). And others might…

Like many of you, my days begin with much of the same routine, mostly involving health activity. Stretching, medications, setting up for the day ahead (sun protective clothing or not?) – it can feel as if each day begins with the same old thing. Which is why, every so often, I try to “mix it…
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