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Good Days...Bad Days With Maureen Pratt

Today is an International Day of Prayer – especially dedicated to those who are oppressed because of their faith. Those of us who live in a place of religious freedom might find it difficult to understand what it’s like to live in fear of reprisals because of faith, but there are many places in which…

Yesterday, I had a doctor’s appointment. The nurse who took me into the examination room did not wash her hands before moving to start my eye exam. The nurse who took me into another examination room immediately after a couple exited it did not sterilize the exam area before admitting me to it. The doctor…

No doubt about it, as I’ve aged, things that were easy to do are getting harder to accomplish. Oh, I don’t mean “major” things like hearing I have yet another diagnosis. I mean less major, but no less important, things like bending down to put away a mixing bowl, or reaching for a fresh roll…

You’ve probably read about many of the Saints and saints – those holy men and women who have been canonized in the Catholic Church, and those people who have lived exemplary lives of faith. All are inspirations for us – the things they accomplished against great persecution and odds! But, have you read much in…

Our hands are so very expressive! In our daily lives, our hands lifty, carry, work, and play. They soothe the aches of others, and they keep the beat during a particularly lively song. Have you ever thought about how those same hands can help make your prayer more powerful? You can punctuate your obedience to…

If you are really down, and challenges are heaping themselves upon challenges, then you might find yourself thinking, “Can’t I have just one good day?” Yup, I’ve been there myself -and it’s okay to ask that question, borne of frustration and perhaps a little amazement that “yet another” thing could go wrong in an already…

Ah, the bliss of putting my feet up! Throughout the day, our feet take a beating. And if we have joint issues “higher up,” in the knees, for example, or the hips, those precious feet can truly begin to feel abused and neglected. Throughout the Bible, we read of people walking – walking out of…

Many of you know Lisa J. Copen as the Founder of RestMinistries, an online resource for people living with chronic pain and illness of the invisible kind (www.restministries.org). Each year, Lisa sponsors an “Invisible Illness Awareness Week,” and I’ve been honored to participate in it several times, with workshops and interviews. Lisa is also an author of…

I was looking forward to the day ahead. The sun was shining, my usual aches and pains were at a minimum. I started my morning routine, all happy and uplifted. And then, wham! I realized I’d forgotten to say my morning prayers! Oops! I was so caught up in the “moment” of the beginning of…

Next year’s birthday cards – done! This year’s holiday gifts – done! Yummy chicken soup prepared and in the freezer ahead of cold and flu season – done! I’ve often written about how hard it is to make firm commitments to things in the future. Chronic illness and pain have a way of interfering with…
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