Combating Battle Fatigue- with a little help from my friends...

Lyme Battlers can often feel helpless.

Lyme Battler's caregivers, family, friends, community can often feel helpless.

It is a VERY long road we are on.

Some people just plain abandon us along the way, some zip in and out along the way- waving to us as they breeze by...
Some walk alongside for a bit, some walk a long ways with us-holding our hand...

Some walk the WHOLE way...  (me with my primary caregiver, my husband)

In the Old Testament of the Bible- God gave Aaron to Moses, to hold up his arm when battle weary... He gave Jonathan to David, to encourage him, believe him... 

In the New Testament, we see even more community- the disciples, Paul and Barnabas, Paul and Timothy- many of the apostles meeting up with each other... and leaving letters for us today emploring us to encourage one another...

Do you have anyone to encourage you? 

Sadly we often have to be good self-encouragers!  And thankfully- we have the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, through Christ, who NEVER leaves us. 

Is there something you SO wish someone would do for you to encourage you?  Many times it can be a very simple thing- a phone call, a note, wearing a Lyme-awareness T-shirt...  Well, if no one is encouraging you today- YOU BE THE ENCOURAGER (smile).  Truly- you will be encouraged! 

A fellow Lyme Fighter and I were chatting and he was telling that he, as many of us do, was hoping that when he had to begin this rigorous discipline in eating, changing his eating habits- that his family, at least someone, would be willing to show support by eating the same way he had to now.  But no (really, who would unless they had to).

Made me think-  perhaps someone is reading this who would like some ideas as to how to encourage their friend/family member.  Here is a list of some practical things I came up with- 

- yes, buy a Lyme Awareness T-Shirt!  Wear it when you come to see your Lyme Battle pal, and any time you are out in public.  (we very much want to get the word out to others and can't get out enough to do it ourselves)

- Ok- so maybe you don't want to eat like we have to, but maybe you could join your Lyme Battler in eating like they have to for even just a day or week to show your support, to learn what it is like.

- My family hears my alarm on my phone go off these days and I hear, "Mommmm, your alarm is going of aagaainnn!"  (not angrily though)  My alarm goes off many times a day to keep me on schedule with my different meds/treatments/reminders (poor memory-  Love the device! Such a help!)...  
Perhaps to show your support- you can set your device alarms for the same times your Lyme Fighter pal has to set theirs.   You can get an idea of all they have to do in a day/night to keep kickin..as well as take the opportunity to pray for them each time that alarm sounds.
(btw- Lyme Buddies:  if possible, choose soothing, least irritating ring tones for those alarms- it is good for you, and those around you)

- Don't forget that even though your Lyme Fighter pal hasn't been able to go out with you to do something in ages-  your pal would still absolutely love it if you asked anyway!  And maybe once in awhile you can bring a little rememberance back to your pal, letting them know they were thought of and missed- and that you hope one day your pal can join you again. 

- Look for ways to adapt outings so that it may be possible for your Lyme Fighter pal to join in... or join her.

- If your Lyme Battle pal is room/house bound-  perhaps bring a nice new picture to look at (of something you know they enjoy), or a magazine subscription, or a throw/blanket/pillow, new soft/natural fabric socks... 

- Find a gluten free, sugar free (Stevia),   whatever-free snack to your pal....your effort in learning and knowing what they can have is wonderful

- If your Lyme Battle pal is up to it- bring over a movie to watch together.   Record a local highschool concert that they Lyme Battler may have had to miss- and replay it WITH them.


These are just a few ideas-   I'm sure you can think of more!  In fact- please do!  And share them in the comments area!  The more ideas, the better! 

Blessings-

Exodus 17:11-13  (NASB)

¹¹ So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand ^[a]down, Amalek prevailed. ¹² But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. ¹³ So Joshua ^[b]overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build