Talking About The Atonement When You're Constantly Sick

Hey, guys.  Sorry that I've been silent, but it's been a rough week.  I've been really sick for about a month, and I originally thought it was just post-wedding stress sickness (ask anyone who knows me, I get sick after any major stressful event), but this week I put my foot down.  Okay, actually Aaron, my husband, put his foot down, and didn't move until I called my doctor and moved up my appointment.  Doc thinks my lupus is just becoming more active, but the jury will remain out until the blood work has come back.  How much more active and for how long? I'm not sure.  Maybe for a month, a year, or permanently.  It's hard to say.

Of course this had to come right before Easter.  Yes, I realize this is the day after Easter, when everyone is buying 50% off candy and making lots of egg salad, but I've been pondering the Atonement.  When we talk about the Atonement, we mostly focus on the fact that Christ suffered and died for us, that we may be freed from sin and live again.  And yes, that is most of it, but something has always stood out to me.  When Christ was in the Garden of Gethsemane, he suffered all pains and afflictions, including our sins.  But that also includes our temptations, our bad thoughts, our physical trials and suffering.  Which is why people say Christ understands all suffering, because he literally took it all on. Mental health issues, addiction, the stress of finances, even my lupus.  And because of that, and because He rose again on the third day, we can become like Him, perfect and whole.

Maybe you look at this and think, "No duh, Sherlock," but as I've celebrated Easter this year with my family, I am more grateful and more hopeful.  So one day, I can spend time with my family without pain or exhaustion.  One day, I can leave the house without worrying about having enough energy to make it by myself. And until those days come, I have someone I can turn to, who loves me unconditionally, and who knows exactly what I'm going through.  Who's been there, and who knows the path ahead, and can give me strength when no one else can.  Sure, it's still going to be hard.  Heck, there's times where I wonder just how much more I can take.  But He will always be there, to help me through.