In Proverbs 21:19 Solomon says, It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife. He also noted not once but twice in the same book that a contentious wife is like constant dripping (19:13, 27:15).
Since we know Solomon to be the wisest person to ever live, I am guessing at least one of his 700 wives had some serious PMS. My own husband no doubt feels as though he is married to two women (and they‘re both me). I have PMDD ( premenstrual dysphoric disorder), which in layman’s terms is PMS on steroids and not just for a couple of days but in some cases three weeks out of a given month. Below I have listed the symptoms that must be present in order to qualify (sounds like you might be getting a prize,huh). You must have at least five of the following:
Disinterest in daily activities and relationships
Fatigue or low energy
Feeling of sadness or hopelessness, possible suicidal thoughts
Feelings of tension or anxiety
Feeling out of control
Food cravings or binge eating
Mood swings marked by periods of teariness
Panic attack
Persistent irritability or anger that affects other people
Trouble concentrating
Physical symptoms, such as bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, and joint or muscle pain
Sleep disturbances
Me, I have them all. I will frequently do and say things, when the hormone soup starts to come to a rolling boil, that are later regretted. As years passed things just got worse. At my annual physicals, I would list my complaints and they would be waved aside as nothing more than a little PMS. Last year a new physician took me seriously. She asked about any additional concerns and I jokingly told her, “my husband says I’m mean” but she didn’t laugh with me as expected, she listened and then said, “he would know’. Soooooooo... we set about finding a proper medical regimen to treat the condition.
Through it all my husband stuck with me even though the relationship was quite a roller-coaster ride. He never knew which one of me he would find upon his arrival home from work.
Every month without fail in the aftermath of my meltdowns, he would forgive me when I apologized. I did not deserve forgiveness, for without fail the cycle would be repeated.
How could he keep on forgiving me? I believe it happened because God gave him the grace too. For this was grace as God has shown it to be; simply unmerited favor that is a by-product of His love.
I happily report that with the prescriptions and life-style changes that were recommended, we are now one husband and one (nice) wife in the same house.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
The Big Why?
Why is it that when we are in the moment, it is so impossible to see past it? It's true in times of joy, it's truer still in our sorrows.
There's a country song by Patti Loveless from several years back, the gist of the song is about love and loss and life's constant change. One line says, "it's okay to hurt, it's okay to cry, come let me help you say goodbye". Some folks we know are facing a terrible goodbye. An untimely one, one that was preventable and one that leaves many people hurting and searching their hearts for answers in it's wake.
I know that I am looking back at missed opportunities, chances to have said or shown the love and concern a Christian sister should have and all the while knowing that this was the work of satan.
In our weakness, he strikes whispering awful words to our spirit. The ones that cause us to doubt God, to lose hope, to only see the pain of now and believe that this is all that's left in life.
While this situation leaves me heartbroken and aching for the ones left to carry on. It also makes me angry...I know God is the ultimate victor but why must the casualties of this war be so many?
There's a country song by Patti Loveless from several years back, the gist of the song is about love and loss and life's constant change. One line says, "it's okay to hurt, it's okay to cry, come let me help you say goodbye". Some folks we know are facing a terrible goodbye. An untimely one, one that was preventable and one that leaves many people hurting and searching their hearts for answers in it's wake.
I know that I am looking back at missed opportunities, chances to have said or shown the love and concern a Christian sister should have and all the while knowing that this was the work of satan.
In our weakness, he strikes whispering awful words to our spirit. The ones that cause us to doubt God, to lose hope, to only see the pain of now and believe that this is all that's left in life.
While this situation leaves me heartbroken and aching for the ones left to carry on. It also makes me angry...I know God is the ultimate victor but why must the casualties of this war be so many?
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Iced In
This will be a January to remember, and I'm sure the kids will remember it fondly for the snow days it has brought them.Leah made a video of herself walking through snow that was more crunchy than a kettle cooked potato chip. There were no Frostys made with that stuff. Oh the joys of winter- NOT. I like to look at snow for a day or so and I enjoy seeing the kids play in it once.After the first time, the amount of laundry they create with each new venture into the frozen tundra of our yard is all I see.
This weather makes me thankful for several things that other times of the year are more nuisance and time stealers than anything else. Video game systems, television, and the internet. Other than sick days ( mine not the kids), I complain vehemently about the excessive screen time that no doubt is damaging their eyes. In our nature imposed imprisonment I tend to overlook that danger.
We've had the requisite chili, played a few games and spent some quality time in conversation and I have read a pretty good book. Last night I fried cauliflower and pickles and Leah made chocolate cookies. This morning I cooked a real breakfast much to the delight of the kids. So in addition to vision loss, clogged arteries and weight gain are becoming real threats if we don't soon get out of here.
Although we moved farther south in order to avoid extended periods of cold and snow (not the only reason), on day two of treacherous road conditions I miss living in a place where the powers that be know how to clear highways and roads. At this point school has been out for two unscheduled days and it's looking pretty iffy for tomorrow. It's not all bad rest assured, I have plenty of bread and milk.
This weather makes me thankful for several things that other times of the year are more nuisance and time stealers than anything else. Video game systems, television, and the internet. Other than sick days ( mine not the kids), I complain vehemently about the excessive screen time that no doubt is damaging their eyes. In our nature imposed imprisonment I tend to overlook that danger.
We've had the requisite chili, played a few games and spent some quality time in conversation and I have read a pretty good book. Last night I fried cauliflower and pickles and Leah made chocolate cookies. This morning I cooked a real breakfast much to the delight of the kids. So in addition to vision loss, clogged arteries and weight gain are becoming real threats if we don't soon get out of here.
Although we moved farther south in order to avoid extended periods of cold and snow (not the only reason), on day two of treacherous road conditions I miss living in a place where the powers that be know how to clear highways and roads. At this point school has been out for two unscheduled days and it's looking pretty iffy for tomorrow. It's not all bad rest assured, I have plenty of bread and milk.
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