{"id":1495,"date":"2015-01-05T23:14:17","date_gmt":"2015-01-05T23:14:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=1495"},"modified":"2015-01-03T23:26:17","modified_gmt":"2015-01-03T23:26:17","slug":"food-for-thought-given-a-precious-gift","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2015\/01\/food-for-thought-given-a-precious-gift.html","title":{"rendered":"Food for Thought: Given a Precious Gift"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Photo<\/a>
Photo courtesy of posterize\/FreeDigitalPhotos.net<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I’m fascinated by how, after Jesus was crucified, died, and rose from the dead, those devoted to Jesus did not scatter like cowards, fearing they would be next to die on the cross. Rather, they gathered in an “upper room” and received the Holy Spirit! From there, then, they went forth, communicating in ways that had before been utterly foreign to them. And, spreading the Gospel, they changed the world (though not without pain and personal sacrifice).<\/p>\n

It’s a powerful lesson for anyone, but especially for those of us with chronic illness. If you read the first couple of chapters of Acts of the Apostles superficially, it seems “natural” that all those men and women, followers of Christ, would naturally continue His ministry.<\/p>\n

But then, consider the time, the political climate, the personal tragedy they had each witnessed – the brutal death of their friend and, in Mary’s case, son. It’s a wonder they didn’t scatter, hide, “take a time out,” or otherwise give up!<\/p>\n

Praise God, they didn’t!<\/p>\n

Faced even with tremendous obstacles, each was given the gift of the Holy Spirit, speaking in foreign languages, filled with determination and that “strong driving wind” (Acts 2:2) of purpose beyond suffering.<\/p>\n

As we begin a new year, and probably face serious health obstacles, let’s keep in mind those first people who rose above their troubles, fears, and disadvantages – and changed the world! Pray for the profound gift of the Holy Spirit, and delight in where it takes you!<\/p>\n

Blessings for the New Year,<\/p>\n

Maureen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I’m fascinated by how, after Jesus was crucified, died, and rose from the dead, those devoted to Jesus did not scatter like cowards, fearing they would be next to die on the cross. Rather, they gathered in an “upper room” and received the Holy Spirit! 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She expected to be writing scripts. God had other plans. A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined. Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is \"Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, \"Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness\" (Image Books\/Randomhouse), \"Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy\" (Twenty-Third Publications), \"The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition\" (Perseus) and \"Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe.\" She writes the syndicated column, \"Living Well,\" for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others. \"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt\" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. Through the blog, she hopes to bring issues of health, wellness, and spirit into focus and, especially, inspire others that, no matter what health challenges, illness, or hardships they endure, each person can find a good way to realize the wonderful potential God has placed within each heart and soul.","sameAs":["http:\/\/www.maureenpratt.com"],"url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/author\/mpratt"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1495","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/548"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1495"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1495\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1496,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1495\/revisions\/1496"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1495"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1495"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1495"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}