National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week

Touching Lives for God... in Sickness and in Health

Carol Krejci, R.N
Author

Carol is the mother of 3 sons and a daughter, grandmother of 10 and great-grandmother of a one-year-old little boy. She currently lives in Lancaster, Ohio on a Christian Campground and enjoys writing, singing, making scrapbooks and cake decorating.

After 42 years of nursing, she retired in 2002 from Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster, Ohio and moved to San Diego, CA. where she wrote her first book, Sowin' Seeds and Touchin' Lives.

Her past experiences of raising four children while working as a staff and an Emergency Room nurse did not prepare her for the loss from cancer of four special people in her life. In 1986, she was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which provided a name and some credibility for the indescribable fatigue she had been experiencing. What she has learned is that regardless of the circumstances, God has things He wants to accomplish through us even when we feel we have nothing left to give.

Touching Lives for God... in Sickness and in Health

Host_Mary_Shep: Welcome to the National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week seminar. My name is Mary (a.k.a. "Shep" to many of you), and I'll be your host for this hour. We will open in prayer; then our guest will present the topic, after which there will be a question and answer period, then we will close in prayer.

Carol Krejci is the mother of 3 sons and a daughter, grandmother of 10 and great-grandmother of a one-year-old little boy. She currently lives in Lancaster, Ohio on a Christian Campground and enjoys writing, singing, making scrapbooks and cake decorating.

After 42 years of nursing, she retired in 2002 from Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster, Ohio and moved to San Diego, CA. where she wrote her first book, Sowin' Seeds and Touchin' Lives.

What she has learned is that regardless of the circumstances, God has things He wants to accomplish through us even when we feel we have nothing left to give. In her session for Invisible Illness Week, she will share some of the insights she has gleaned from her own experience and that of others with chronic illnesses: that we can feel fulfilled and purposeful, despite our illness, by following God's direction.

Her topic for today is: "Touching Lives for God… In Sickness and in Health". But before we begin, let's ask the Lord's blessing upon our time and our speaker.

Father, we thank you for being a loving and caring Father. We trust that today is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! We pray for those who are hurting today Lord, those who hurt physically, emotionally and spiritually. Comfort them as they come to hear words of encouragement and love. Bless our speaker; guide the words that are spoken so that when we are done here, we will know that we have been in Your Presence. In Jesus precious name we pray, Amen.

Now, it is my pleasure to introduce Carol Krejci! Carol, welcome and may the Lord bless you as you share with us today!

cakrejci: Thank you so much for having me. It is a privilege to be here.

There is something I need to clarify regarding the topic I have chosen. "In sickness" refers to we patients when we have our not-so-good day and "in health" refers to our better days. There is a line from a beautiful meditation by John Henry Cardianl Newman. I would like to quote it now. Let the words sink in.

"Therefore I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away.

If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him;

In perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him;

If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him."

I would like to present some practical ideas as to how you, even in your illness with its good and not-so-good days, can partner with God to brighten the day of someone else. God want to make a difference in the lives of others and in your life, too. His message of love and blessing frequently comes in the smallest form. It may be the sight of a butterfly or a beautiful rainbow, but very often, these blessings are the direct result of someone obeying the nudges of the Holy Spirit.

Believe in your God-appointed purpose and work at it. He will point the way and always be there for you.

DianeH: I used to be quite the greeting card sender, but then I found I was missing a lot of occasions because of sickness, and it has been hard to keep it going now...I'm so much out of touch now.

cakrejci: I have an idea. Just keep a little notebook where you can get to it and when you feel up to it, grab it and a post card and drop someone a line. When you are feeling good is the time to stamp and address the post cards. They mean a lot!

Remember that together, you and God can make a difference in someone else's life. If you have ever received a card at just the right time, you know what I mean. someone listened to God and sent it to you.

I have my presentation divided into 3 parts.

1. YOU CAN BE THAT SOMEONE!

2. DOING FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH

3. SOME HELPFUL ADVICE

Host_Mary_Shep: Carol, I have found that I am getting beautiful illustrations from the Lord just by asking Him for them when I begin certain tasks. What are some ways you find these special moments?

cakrejci: Even going shopping or being out to dinner, sometimes the Lord just "hits" your heart and whispers, "That person needs a smile or a hug.

Beth: I find sending e-cards is easier sometimes and there are a lot of good, free ones available.

cakrejci: I agree and I do that a lot. I miss sending the personal touch, but am satisfied that if that is all the energy I have that day, I still touched a life! So often in times of sickness, weakness or pain, we feel useless and without purpose. God has said otherwise. He promises to give purpose and meaning to the pain and illness we don't understand.

Reaching out to others is more than obedience. It frees Jesus to minister to others, because we are, after all, His hands and His feet, aren't we? I Peter 4:1 says, "Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy He supplies." Living Bible. So the Bible says He give the strength and energy we don't have. I like that!

DianeH: Sometimes a phone call can really touch someone when you tell them you were just thinking about them and wondering how they were doing...when you feel up to it. Sometimes my nausea is so bad, I can't even talk.

cakrejci: I know that phone calls to me during unexpected times thrilled me beyond words. I just knew it was God who told them to call me.

I believe we serve Him whether we feel down or up because He gives the assignments. We put a lot onto ourselves that he didn't assign to us. Our desire is to be needed and to reach out to others. We may think the "assignment" is a small task (a smile or hug), but if it is from God, it is immeasurable!

craftingrama: I found that a lot of people with chronic illness have forgotten the power of prayer. A lot of times even when I am feeling my worst, if I come into the chat room here and just pray for everyone that comes in I feel God's blessing in my life and my pain seems easier to manage. And on my good days talking to people here in the chat room a lot of times relieving their loneliness takes away my feelings of uselessness too.

cakrejci: That is for sure. I have never been in a chat room until yesterday and I love it. New friends, common issues and needs and prayer and encouragement.

Alice: Have you ever heard someone say they would like a certain book, or something to that effect? With the internet, it is so easy to order that book on Amazon, etc. and have it sent directly to the person. I had that happen to me one time -- I received a book about Fibromyalgia from someone - and it made my day! So, now, I try to listen - then provide.

cakrejci: I have given a book that touched my life deeply. It is The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkerson. It changed my life and also others'. I agree it is a wonderful way to reach out.

Beth: I've found people really love it when I pray for them over the phone after we've talked a bit, rather than just telling them I'll be praying.

cakrejci: Yes, and it is such a blessing to be able to even be on the couch or in bed and know you have helped someone.

Laura_Beth: I have found that it often takes time to find your purpose, and it is hard to see how God can use you when you are first struck with chronic illness. But as time goes on, God begins to reveal His plan.

cakrejci: You know, it took a long time for me to acknowledge that, too. We have to believe that even a cup of cold water, if given in Jesus' name, is precious. That could be your purpose for that very instant in someone's life.

Alice: Or, while waiting in line at McDonalds' pay for the order of the people in the car behind you. (if you can afford to do that) That way you are "doing alms without the other people knowing it - kind of like it says in the Bible - "don't let your right hand know what your left is doing."

cakrejci: That is so good and so kind. Just what He would want you to do...help someone to have a warm meal. Even buy a book of coupons and have them ready to give as He directs.

Beth: Could you clarify that reference please: 1 Pet.4:1. I can't find it there.

cakrejci: Woops. I hope I didn't get the wrong one. E-mail me at cakrejci2001@yahoo.com later. I will find the correct verse. I am sorry.

NOTE: Correct reference is I Peter 4:11

Alice: I appreciate those who write the devotionals for Rest Ministries. I know they are doing it "even in their pain - and sometimes because of their pain. And, they minister to so many.

cakrejci: Yes. I think God is reaching deep into our soul during those time of weakness and illness.

Nora: Twenty five years ago, I delivered newspapers in North Pole, AK. One of my customers was a disabled veteran who was unable to work. Every afternoon, he had a cup of hot cocoa or glass of cold water for me. I am still touched by his kindness all these years later.

cakrejci: See? You have never forgotten that act of kindness. What if he had thought it was of no value for him to do that? It's a blessing for the giver and the receiver, isn't it?

Beth: I love this quote from Abbie Teh. It's called "Each Day to Do Your Will." "Help me to remember, Lord, that there is time enough (I would add strength, etc.) to do Your will each day. Not everything I think I should do or that others desire for me but Your will in Your time."

cakrejci: I have a story (idea) in my book. It's called the Energy Bank. Pretty much along that line. X amount of energy/day. Not what we think we should do, but what He asks us to do. No more or less than what He requires.

I would like to thank each of your for coming and for your wonderful questions. Later, when the handouts are available, I have list of 20 points each for the 3 topics I chose. Print those out and also the handout of bookmarks to print with just this thought contained. :"May my little, as the widow's mite, be accepted as JUST RIGHT." It's from a poem written by my friend who was very ill, but found a way to touch lives for God.

God Bless you all.

Host_Mary_Shep: Our hour is over; thank you, Carol. This has touched our hearts!... let's close in prayer!

Father God,

We thank you for this hour with Carol and the words of encouragement that she has shared with us. Remind us that we need only do what YOU ask us to do, and help our hearts to be in tune with yours so that we will see the opportunities to be all we can be "In Sickness and in Health"

Thank you again Carol