[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ min_height=”582px” custom_margin=”-23px|||||”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″ width=”99.8%” min_height=”275px” custom_margin=”|auto|-62px|auto||” custom_padding=”|0px|0px|0px||”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_image src=”https://aprildawnwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Mercy-for-the-Meh-Days-Meme-2.png” alt=”Mercy for Meh Days” title_text=”Mercy for the Meh Days Meme 2″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”|-62px|-2px|||” custom_padding=”|0px||||”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.6″ width=”100%” min_height=”275px” custom_margin=”|||30px||” custom_padding=”|||8px||”]
Have you ever felt meh? Meh is the verbal expression equivalent to a shrug of the shoulders.
Meh days can result from physical, emotional, or spiritual battles. For those of us suffering a chronic illness, meh days are usually a combination of two or more of these factors.
I am writing this article on a meh day. I had a flare-up of my illness last night and today is a day of rest and recovery day.
My body is weak. I forced myself out of pajamas only to pull on yoga pants and t-shirt. I gave myself an imaginary gold star for changing clothes, even if I traded one set of comfortable clothes for another. Because conservation of strength is my primary goal, showers are optional these days. Showers require too much energy.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.6″ min_height=”125px” custom_margin=”13px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”||7px|||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.6″ min_height=”233px” custom_margin=”||-170px|||”]
My favorite coffee mug is too heavy, so I traded it for a lighter mug. My thought processes are as slow as Eeyore’s trot. Between sips of liquid mercy (AKA coffee) I hurry to type before the fog completely enveloped my brain.
As I refilled my mug with liquid mercy, the phone buzzed with a text from my friend and spiritual accountability partner. The text reads:
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”(Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT)
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″ min_height=”350px”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″ custom_margin=”|auto|-155px|auto||”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.6″ min_height=”340px” custom_margin=”115px|-3px||||”]
I smiled at God’s timing. He knew I was having a meh day. He knew I needed an extra dose of encouragement. I sensed God nudging past the brain fog,
“My mercy is for meh days too!”
God met me in the kitchen, wearing my yoga pants and holding my I-feel-weak-today coffee mug. God knew my struggle. He knew I wanted to cry, but that would only make my body hurt more. He knew the true number on my pain scale, even if I tried to fake feeling better than I was so my family wouldn’t worry (again). He knew the brain fog blanketed my thoughts and that today I should not drive nor pay bills.
I began to sing “Great is Thy Faithfulness:”[1]
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″ custom_padding=”||0px|||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.6″ min_height=”423px”]
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see All I have needed Thy hand hath provided Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
Dear friend, God knows your struggle. His compassion and mercy are new every day. Every morning we brew our coffee with fresh coffee grounds, so is God’s mercy. We never have to live today on yesterday’s compassion or mercy. Whether you are a chronic illness warrior or a supportive caregiver, God’s mercies are new every day. His mercies are for the meh days too!
© 2019 April Dawn White |Images courtesy of Canva
[1] Written by Thomas Chisholm, Composed by William Runyan, Public Domain
I originally published this article in the “Pressing On” column for the Broken But Priceless Magazine. Broken But Priceless, is an online quarterly magazine, which addresses the heartfelt needs of those battling chronic illness and their caregivers. If you or someone you know, would benefit from such encouragement, please share this article and/or link.
Hugs & Hope, April
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]