Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Learning to Live Within New Limitations


Last week was a rough week. I went to church on Sunday morning and then spent most of the rest of the week recovering. As time goes on it becomes harder for me to attend church. My body doesn't want to move in the morning. That is when my muscles are usually the weakest. Getting myself moving, getting dressed, making myself presentable, going to church, sitting through a service (even though reclined), hearing all of the sounds, and talking afterward is now more than my nervous system can handle, and it takes more energy than I have to spare. I can no longer do that all before noon and still recover in one day.

For over a year now I have only been able to go to church about once a month, but now even those once a month Sunday mornings are a thing of the past. It's sad. I love going to church. I love being with God's people, and I love hearing His Word preached.

It is so strange to realize that I am, for the most part, one of the shut-in church members now. If it weren't for Will (and other friends and family who take me out occasionally) I wouldn't be getting out at all. On a good day the farthest I go on my own is to the thrift store, which is just here on campus. (Yep, I keep my drivers license so that I can drive 1/2 a mile to the thrift store every once in a while!)

I'm not worried about starving spiritually. There are still a lot of things that I can do to ensure that I am learning and growing in my walk with Chirst. I read my Bible and pray. I learn a lot fromWill. I read books by different Christian authors. I have some seminary wives classes on DVD and MP3 that I can watch and listen to. I can listen to sermons online. I have Christain friends who build me up and encourage me in my faith. I certainly won't starve, but I do miss going to church regularly.

For my disabled friends, what do you do about church? How often can you go? And what do you do when you can't? I'd like to hear how some of you work around the physical limitations and how you still have fellowship with other belivers even while homebound/mostly homebound.

6 comments:

  1. While I am not disabled...I still wanted to let you know God understands, there have been times when I was too physically exhausted to go to church for months on end..and I really missed that feeling you get from being "there"...I will pray that God will comfort you and send you peace about this...keep the faith...for God is faithful always...God bless and May His face shine upon you today and beyond!

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  2. God understand and know that you love church.

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  3. This has been tough for me too. I'm glad you posted about this.

    Morning services are usually not an option for me. When I am able to go to church, it has to be an evening service.

    Also, if I am awake Sunday morning, I watch online "live" video of church services on my computer. Even though it is not my home church and I can't be there, it still gives me a chance to be a part of worship as well as hear the sermon.

    For fellowship, small groups that can meet in a room or home setting give me the best sense of community, while keeping stimulation and distraction to a minimum.

    Big hugs to you as I know how frustrating it is to WANT to be at church and not be able to do it. I'm grateful that we can look forward to dwelling with God himself someday soon! :)

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  4. Sorry you had a rough week…Please know I’m praying for you right now! Have a great Thursday!

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  5. Hi-

    I have been following your blog for some time, and really feel uplifted everytime I read it. I also have dysautonomia while trying to maintain a home and home school our children. Thankfully, my kids are older and can pitch in a lot.

    I had trouble with the early morning church service thing, but God really answered a prayer for me when our church split into two congregations as we had gotten too large for a single service. We now have a smaller Saturday evening congegation that is easier for me. Less people, less noise, and I tend to do better in the evenings, though there is definately many times when my family goes without me if it's been a rough day.

    Shelia Talbott
    Scottsville, VA

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  6. I wonder if you could try hosting a weekly (or monthly) potluck Bible study with your church friends?

    I'm sure they'd all be willing to bring some hor douvres (Sp?), meaning minimal prep on your part!

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