Fitted Sheets and Chronic Illness

​ CHRONIC ILLNESS IS LIKE FITTED SHEETS

Back when Martha Stewart was queen, and I was newly married and trying my best to be an exemplary wife, I watched a segment on her show about how to “properly” fold a fitted sheet. I understood folding the corners together, but, in the end, there always were pieces sticking out and parts flailing around as I quickly shut the linen closet door. The crisp flat sheet is folded square, fitting neatly into the life we’ve planned — but there’s that fitted sheet, untidy and often out-of-control.

I think chronic illness is like the difficult fitted sheet. You can’t quite fold it into submission. No matter how hard we try, chronic health issues can act out like rogue pieces of our lives that we want to hide, lopsided and misshapen parts that refuse to yield to our control. My disease just won’t straighten up and act right!

GOD IS LIKE A FLAT SHEET

God is the flat sheet, straight and hemmed and starched, that neatly wraps around the messiness of a life filled with challenges. In His grace, He covers us along with all our infirmities so that we can live our best life for Him.

Like a fitted sheet, my life with Lupus can be taut and tight; I’m often afraid it will snap back at me, but most of the time, it doesn’t. Instead, the perfectly squared flat sheet of God’s love wraps around the messy fitted one, securely tucking around those difficult parts, the set now complete.

REAL LIFE IS MADE UP OF BOTH FLAT AND FITTED SHEETS

Life is about fitted sheets and flat sheets together: the twists and turns, the adventures and risks, the good days and the bad. With unexpected elastic just where we need it and the steady, well-anchored love of God wrapping securely around those testy corners, God is enfolding you every moment, even on the worst days. Remember the fitted and the flat sheet. Real life is made up of both.

PRAYER

Father, thank you for being with me in every moment of my life. Allow me to trust in Your enfolding love when I feel like things are out of control. I know that You are with me every day. Amen.

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43: 1-3)

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Which parts of your health challenges make you feel out of control?
2. What verses could you post nearby to remind you of God’s love and care for you?
3. When you fold sheets this week, remember God’s love enfolding you!