Exactly Mike. One could think that we are giving in to the disease, yet we are not. Its just realizing the things we are no longer able to do and ask for help without stressing over it, as if it were a natural thing to do. Then doing all we can do with what we have left over and being grateful on both accounts. Like now when I cook the 1 meal of the day for my family, if I need a jar opened, I ask for help as I already know its impossible for me now to do that anymore. I learned the hard way ( ripping all the tendons in my thumb from trying hard to do it myself) but I have learned to live within the limits of my body and not to push the issues.
That said, lately I have found myself snapping at my family for over doing the helpfulness. Such as when I know I can do something, like helping carrying a couple lightweight bags of groceries into the house so not to put too much on another person, and they argue with me saying they do not want me to hurt myself, I really feel a bubbling anger rear its ugly head and will spill out my mouth in a raised voice that I am not useless nor am I stupid, I can and will do it!
I have many times felt the heap of coals on my head and gone back to apologize for snapping. I realize that they love me and do not like seeing me hurt, as I have done so many times by pushing myself when I didnt realize I had lost more strength in muscles that I hadn't thought of before. I ask my family to trust me when I say I can do something and let me do it while I still can. Then I have peace. PLS has helped make me humble and a more grateful person. I can now see the Word come true "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose"
Joyce
