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Trazy's AIP Journey
Monday, May 9, 2016
Friday, October 9, 2015
A Day in the Life of Someone Who Could Have Died
Maybe I'm being dramatic... Maybe I shouldn't think about it as much because it's over... Maybe I really shouldn't have read that wikipedia article about pulmonary embolisms... Maybe I should stop letting my hormones control my emotions... maybe... but tonight I cried.
For those of you who maybe missed it on Facebook (where I attempted to update the world once a day instead of constantly answering the same questions through text messages - yes, it advertised my own health problems for my 900+ friends, but it also let people know quickly and easily what the latest developments were, without them bothering me as I was either resting or just trying to catch that next breath), a recap:
Sunday, 10/4 - 5a-ish - I woke up unable to breathe. It was sudden. It felt like someone took a knife to the left-most portion of my chest (under my armpit) every time I tried to take a breath. It was, to say it lightly, painful. It was scary. However, Dr. Eaic and Dr. Trazy diagnosed this pain as "a high gas bubble" for which the obvious treatment is a good dose of Pepto Bismol and some yoga. Surprisingly, it soothed my pain and after a good bout of flatulence, I was able to rest a little until my alarm went off. I went into the city and shopped with a friend at an annual flea market for plus size people (the Big Fat Flea).
Sunday, 10/4 - 4pish - I tried to lay down and take a nap. Considering I hadn't gotten much sleep from the night before, I thought perhaps a 20 minute nap could refresh me and allow me to finish my homework. However, for about an hour, I tossed and turned. The nap wasn't happening and the pain had returned in full force. At that point, I turned to the trusty WebMD. Something was written about laying on the side of the pain to take it away. I tried it and thought I was literally about to die. At this point, WebMD searches turned to Urgent Care center searches. I absolutely despise emergency rooms. Still convinced it was something as simple as gas, there was no way I was going to go to an ER for that. Unfortunately, there is only one urgent care center open on Sunday after 6p on Staten Island. Eaic came home from the gym and away we went.
Sunday 10/4 - 7:05p - 5 minutes after arriving at the urgent care center, an EKG is ordered. 5 minutes later, we're receiving paperwork and being advised by the doctor to go to an emergency room immediately for fear of blood clots.
After arriving at the ER, it became apparent to me that my situation was serious when I was moved from a stretcher in the hallway to a private room way before other patients ahead of me. I was hooked up to an oxygen monitor and a heart monitor. I also got oxygen while they attempted and failed 10 times (not an exaggeration) to get an IV into my veins. Seriously - they even failed with an ultrasound machine locating the veins! They thought they got one and instead pumped dye into my arm while I tried to get a CT scan. Finally, at around 4a, a beautiful nurse came in and nailed it... right in my dominant wrist. Whatever. At least we could get the CT scan. A quick scan and thirty minutes later, it was confirmed. My lungs were hosting blood clots. Both lungs, even though only one of them hurt. Big ones, according to the doctor. Serious ones, according to the look on his face.
The next steps - painful, extremely painful shots of Lovenox in my belly (at that point, after not eating since 1p, I wanted a lot of things to get in my belly, but this shot was NOT one of them). Continued monitoring, lots of fluids, lots of tests and of course, not a lot of rest.
The next couple days are a blur. People kept coming in while wearing lab coats and introducing themselves. They'd give me a pill or take my blood pressure or draw blood (from a separate poke, mind you, not even from the IV!)... They'd tell me something and then someone else would come in after an hour or so and tell me something different.
Finally on Tuesday afternoon, I was moved upstairs. I had been admitted before midnight on Sunday/Monday, but it took more than 36 hours to get a bed upstairs. This is how busy they were! Finally, I met with the pulmonology team. I also got to finally meet my doctor. Everyone kept having that same concerned look in their face. I just kept waiting for them to finally let me out. I was dirty and tired and missed the freedom of being able to use my right hand (have you ever had to pull up your pants with only one hand? it's harder than it seems! I started to dread using the bathroom!)
Finally, after discussing in depth the fact that I did not want to administer self-injections, I was discharged with Xarelto (a new pill blood thinner) and a book to read with instructions for following up. When I got home, I did a Google search for pulmonary embolisms. What I found astonished me. Plain and simple: I'm lucky to be alive. In the hospital, I just rolled with the punches...
Okay, you're going to attach a bunch of sticky things to me to test or monitor my heart. No big deal.
Okay, you're going to inject dye into my arm and it's going to swirl throughout my body and make me feel all warm and tingly inside (no joke). No big deal.
Okay, so I have blood clots. Y'all are gonna get them out, right? Great. No big deal.
Oh, look! Strawberry shortcake with lunch! Best lunch ever!
Okay, so I need a little more oxygen in my life. No big deal, there's a tank right there. Hook her up!
Okay, so I have to keep getting these painful shots in my belly every 12 hours. They must be good for me because I can breathe again.
No
big
deal.
Then today, I ventured out into the real world. I saw some of my friends. Everyone looked so scared and so relieved to see me. And then, some of them shared stories of people in their lives who had passed away from blood clots. I went home. I saw my handsome, loving, wonderful fiancee and realized OMG, he almost lost me. He, who stood over me as they poked big ol' needle after big ol' needle into my arm, hoping to catch a vein. He who wiped my tears after each failed attempt as gigantic bruises started forming throughout my forearm. He almost became a man without a fiancee. A man who buried his love before she took his last name.
So, as I sat in the living room while he napped this evening, I hope he forgives me for just allowing him to sleep peacefully. He's been through a hellish week. And please forgive me if I get a little weepy whenever I look into his eyes.
Maybe I'm being dramatic... Maybe I shouldn't think about it as much because it's over... Maybe I should continue to live my life every day remembering that it was a gift and on 10/4/15, I was spared from death yet again.
Live your life well, my friends. It will end too soon.
For those of you who maybe missed it on Facebook (where I attempted to update the world once a day instead of constantly answering the same questions through text messages - yes, it advertised my own health problems for my 900+ friends, but it also let people know quickly and easily what the latest developments were, without them bothering me as I was either resting or just trying to catch that next breath), a recap:
Sunday, 10/4 - 5a-ish - I woke up unable to breathe. It was sudden. It felt like someone took a knife to the left-most portion of my chest (under my armpit) every time I tried to take a breath. It was, to say it lightly, painful. It was scary. However, Dr. Eaic and Dr. Trazy diagnosed this pain as "a high gas bubble" for which the obvious treatment is a good dose of Pepto Bismol and some yoga. Surprisingly, it soothed my pain and after a good bout of flatulence, I was able to rest a little until my alarm went off. I went into the city and shopped with a friend at an annual flea market for plus size people (the Big Fat Flea).
Sunday, 10/4 - 4pish - I tried to lay down and take a nap. Considering I hadn't gotten much sleep from the night before, I thought perhaps a 20 minute nap could refresh me and allow me to finish my homework. However, for about an hour, I tossed and turned. The nap wasn't happening and the pain had returned in full force. At that point, I turned to the trusty WebMD. Something was written about laying on the side of the pain to take it away. I tried it and thought I was literally about to die. At this point, WebMD searches turned to Urgent Care center searches. I absolutely despise emergency rooms. Still convinced it was something as simple as gas, there was no way I was going to go to an ER for that. Unfortunately, there is only one urgent care center open on Sunday after 6p on Staten Island. Eaic came home from the gym and away we went.
Sunday 10/4 - 7:05p - 5 minutes after arriving at the urgent care center, an EKG is ordered. 5 minutes later, we're receiving paperwork and being advised by the doctor to go to an emergency room immediately for fear of blood clots.
After arriving at the ER, it became apparent to me that my situation was serious when I was moved from a stretcher in the hallway to a private room way before other patients ahead of me. I was hooked up to an oxygen monitor and a heart monitor. I also got oxygen while they attempted and failed 10 times (not an exaggeration) to get an IV into my veins. Seriously - they even failed with an ultrasound machine locating the veins! They thought they got one and instead pumped dye into my arm while I tried to get a CT scan. Finally, at around 4a, a beautiful nurse came in and nailed it... right in my dominant wrist. Whatever. At least we could get the CT scan. A quick scan and thirty minutes later, it was confirmed. My lungs were hosting blood clots. Both lungs, even though only one of them hurt. Big ones, according to the doctor. Serious ones, according to the look on his face.
The next steps - painful, extremely painful shots of Lovenox in my belly (at that point, after not eating since 1p, I wanted a lot of things to get in my belly, but this shot was NOT one of them). Continued monitoring, lots of fluids, lots of tests and of course, not a lot of rest.
The next couple days are a blur. People kept coming in while wearing lab coats and introducing themselves. They'd give me a pill or take my blood pressure or draw blood (from a separate poke, mind you, not even from the IV!)... They'd tell me something and then someone else would come in after an hour or so and tell me something different.
Finally on Tuesday afternoon, I was moved upstairs. I had been admitted before midnight on Sunday/Monday, but it took more than 36 hours to get a bed upstairs. This is how busy they were! Finally, I met with the pulmonology team. I also got to finally meet my doctor. Everyone kept having that same concerned look in their face. I just kept waiting for them to finally let me out. I was dirty and tired and missed the freedom of being able to use my right hand (have you ever had to pull up your pants with only one hand? it's harder than it seems! I started to dread using the bathroom!)
Finally, after discussing in depth the fact that I did not want to administer self-injections, I was discharged with Xarelto (a new pill blood thinner) and a book to read with instructions for following up. When I got home, I did a Google search for pulmonary embolisms. What I found astonished me. Plain and simple: I'm lucky to be alive. In the hospital, I just rolled with the punches...
Okay, you're going to attach a bunch of sticky things to me to test or monitor my heart. No big deal.
Okay, you're going to inject dye into my arm and it's going to swirl throughout my body and make me feel all warm and tingly inside (no joke). No big deal.
Okay, so I have blood clots. Y'all are gonna get them out, right? Great. No big deal.
Oh, look! Strawberry shortcake with lunch! Best lunch ever!
Okay, so I need a little more oxygen in my life. No big deal, there's a tank right there. Hook her up!
Okay, so I have to keep getting these painful shots in my belly every 12 hours. They must be good for me because I can breathe again.
No
big
deal.
Then today, I ventured out into the real world. I saw some of my friends. Everyone looked so scared and so relieved to see me. And then, some of them shared stories of people in their lives who had passed away from blood clots. I went home. I saw my handsome, loving, wonderful fiancee and realized OMG, he almost lost me. He, who stood over me as they poked big ol' needle after big ol' needle into my arm, hoping to catch a vein. He who wiped my tears after each failed attempt as gigantic bruises started forming throughout my forearm. He almost became a man without a fiancee. A man who buried his love before she took his last name.
So, as I sat in the living room while he napped this evening, I hope he forgives me for just allowing him to sleep peacefully. He's been through a hellish week. And please forgive me if I get a little weepy whenever I look into his eyes.
Maybe I'm being dramatic... Maybe I shouldn't think about it as much because it's over... Maybe I should continue to live my life every day remembering that it was a gift and on 10/4/15, I was spared from death yet again.
Live your life well, my friends. It will end too soon.
Friday, December 5, 2014
5 Senses
So, this was a funny little exercise. In order to make me aware of my surroundings and to give you a little peek into my life, I explored my 5 senses.
I taste: the brisk, delicious 23 flavors of Dr. Pepper. I was sitting here, watching TV and realized I needed a bottle. It wasn't just a "want," but rather a "need." I also maybe got dressed just for that occasion. I maybe put on shoes and walked to the corner deli just for a bottle of Dr. Pepper. THAT is a strong need.
I see: a mess. My room is in a state of disarray. There are empty bottles on my bookshelf. I didn't drink them all last night... they just never went into the recycling. I see books that have gone unread. I see a bunch of dust that has collected on the shelf and on the tv stand. I see dirt on the floor that needs to be swept. I empty picture frames waiting to be filled. I see the new cute blue flats that I bought last weekend that I haven't worn yet. I both a heater and a fan because the weather can't make up its mind. I see boots that I'm about to post for sale because I never wore them. I see a pillow without a pillowcase because I'm lazy.
I hear: the TV and traffic outside. The TV is playing season 6 of The West Wing. It's something I've been indulging on during my 'staycation.' It's all episodes that I've seen before, but it's still just as good as the first time.
I smell: nothing, really. there are no smells arousing my nasal cavities as the moment. I should start putting my Scentsy back on now that the windows will be closed more often, but I haven't yet. Actually, as I sat here, I turned on my Scentsy. Amazing.
I feel: cold. Cold. COLD. Time to turn the heat on. I feel my new slippers on my feet. They're so soft and warm. It's much warmer here in this apartment than my last apartment, though, so I shouldn't complain.
I taste: the brisk, delicious 23 flavors of Dr. Pepper. I was sitting here, watching TV and realized I needed a bottle. It wasn't just a "want," but rather a "need." I also maybe got dressed just for that occasion. I maybe put on shoes and walked to the corner deli just for a bottle of Dr. Pepper. THAT is a strong need.
I see: a mess. My room is in a state of disarray. There are empty bottles on my bookshelf. I didn't drink them all last night... they just never went into the recycling. I see books that have gone unread. I see a bunch of dust that has collected on the shelf and on the tv stand. I see dirt on the floor that needs to be swept. I empty picture frames waiting to be filled. I see the new cute blue flats that I bought last weekend that I haven't worn yet. I both a heater and a fan because the weather can't make up its mind. I see boots that I'm about to post for sale because I never wore them. I see a pillow without a pillowcase because I'm lazy.
I hear: the TV and traffic outside. The TV is playing season 6 of The West Wing. It's something I've been indulging on during my 'staycation.' It's all episodes that I've seen before, but it's still just as good as the first time.
I smell: nothing, really. there are no smells arousing my nasal cavities as the moment. I should start putting my Scentsy back on now that the windows will be closed more often, but I haven't yet. Actually, as I sat here, I turned on my Scentsy. Amazing.
I feel: cold. Cold. COLD. Time to turn the heat on. I feel my new slippers on my feet. They're so soft and warm. It's much warmer here in this apartment than my last apartment, though, so I shouldn't complain.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Why Do You Have So Little Faith?
I have a sincere confession for you. Recently, I nearly lost my faith. In fact, there were days after days that I wanted to lose my faith, wanted to just walk away from the God I love, the calling I have, the peace and joy that faith brings and all that is within the realm of having faith. I didn't want anything to do with it and I didn't even want to think about it.
It mostly stemmed from my partner and I making the hardest choice so far in our lives, after we both felt God calling us to make a permanent move to New York. For over a year, we'd been living in separate states. Prior to my leaving for an internship, we were discussing marriage and family and growing old together. Then I came here for what was supposed to be a one-year commitment, an internship, a temporary gig. Because I was offered an amazing position that I couldn't give up, I stayed. God's hand was in all of it, that is undeniable.
In that decision, I know (and am still pained with it) I crushed our aforementioned dreams. I knew that I needed to commit at least 3 years to this position before I could really move on and look for work elsewhere (read: back in Michigan). However, I truly felt that it was God was telling me to do. Upon making that decision, Eaic and I decided we were going to wait until my initial year was up to determine our next move. That way, if I was unhappy in my position or in my location, we could change it easier. Or, in that time, he could consider the options more regarding his future and our future together.
In May and June, we debated our options. We fought, we cried, we distanced ourselves mentally... but in the end, I felt like I was called to stay and he came. He saved up for this move. He left his job, he left his friends, he left his apartment, he left his school, he left. And even though our distance was over, the struggles were just beginning. He got here and immediately began his search for work. A week passed. 2 weeks passed. 3 weeks passed. Countless applications and resumes were sent out and not even one called him back. 4 weeks passed. 5 weeks passed. Finally, something came along. It wasn't what he wanted, but it was a little bit of money. Then it got bad - the job didn't work out. After 8 weeks of living in Staten Island, we were officially broke. His savings were nearly depleted and we were seriously looking the option of him moving back to Michigan. All that for nothing.
Are you hearing me, God? Do you see what's happening? You asked me to stay. I stayed. You asked him to leave. He left. I was angry. I was angry at myself. I was angry at my partner. I was angry at the people who had open positions but didn't hire him. I was angry at the irony of having a position he might really enjoy, only knowing that I could not be his supervisor (professionally or personally). I was angry, mostly, at God.
It was at this point that I actually started scoffing at the idea of faith. I couldn't fathom a God that would taunt us like this. I couldn't fathom a loving God leading me and him back into our battles with depression. I couldn't believe in a faith that didn't show up in my timing, in my plans.
Just a little over two months ago, Eaic told me that if he didn't find something or have a lead on something, he would be going back to Michigan on Sunday or Monday (September 21st or 22nd). He couldn't do it anymore. I couldn't blame him.
I want to pause in my story to share with you what one of my coworkers shared with me.
Matthew 6:30 - If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?
Matthew 8:26 - He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
Matthew 14:31 - Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Matthew 16:8 - Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?
Matthew 17:20 - He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
10 weeks later, Eaic has been employed for 9 weeks. It's a temporary job with a strong possibility of getting hired in. It's the highest wage he's ever made even as a temp. It's only about a 30 minute drive. It's good.
The mood in our apartment has completely changed. We go on dates. We have upgraded to cable television. We have
Things are looking up.
We celebrated Thanksgiving with bunch of friends.
We are celebrating our anniversary tomorrow (3 years! OMG!).
Christmas and New Years will be happy days spent together.
Oh, us of so little faith. Oh, we who doubted God's providence, God's grace and God's promise to prosper and not harm us. Oh, silly silly us. God is good.
I
wanted
out
It mostly stemmed from my partner and I making the hardest choice so far in our lives, after we both felt God calling us to make a permanent move to New York. For over a year, we'd been living in separate states. Prior to my leaving for an internship, we were discussing marriage and family and growing old together. Then I came here for what was supposed to be a one-year commitment, an internship, a temporary gig. Because I was offered an amazing position that I couldn't give up, I stayed. God's hand was in all of it, that is undeniable.
In that decision, I know (and am still pained with it) I crushed our aforementioned dreams. I knew that I needed to commit at least 3 years to this position before I could really move on and look for work elsewhere (read: back in Michigan). However, I truly felt that it was God was telling me to do. Upon making that decision, Eaic and I decided we were going to wait until my initial year was up to determine our next move. That way, if I was unhappy in my position or in my location, we could change it easier. Or, in that time, he could consider the options more regarding his future and our future together.
In May and June, we debated our options. We fought, we cried, we distanced ourselves mentally... but in the end, I felt like I was called to stay and he came. He saved up for this move. He left his job, he left his friends, he left his apartment, he left his school, he left. And even though our distance was over, the struggles were just beginning. He got here and immediately began his search for work. A week passed. 2 weeks passed. 3 weeks passed. Countless applications and resumes were sent out and not even one called him back. 4 weeks passed. 5 weeks passed. Finally, something came along. It wasn't what he wanted, but it was a little bit of money. Then it got bad - the job didn't work out. After 8 weeks of living in Staten Island, we were officially broke. His savings were nearly depleted and we were seriously looking the option of him moving back to Michigan. All that for nothing.
Are you hearing me, God? Do you see what's happening? You asked me to stay. I stayed. You asked him to leave. He left. I was angry. I was angry at myself. I was angry at my partner. I was angry at the people who had open positions but didn't hire him. I was angry at the irony of having a position he might really enjoy, only knowing that I could not be his supervisor (professionally or personally). I was angry, mostly, at God.
It was at this point that I actually started scoffing at the idea of faith. I couldn't fathom a God that would taunt us like this. I couldn't fathom a loving God leading me and him back into our battles with depression. I couldn't believe in a faith that didn't show up in my timing, in my plans.
Just a little over two months ago, Eaic told me that if he didn't find something or have a lead on something, he would be going back to Michigan on Sunday or Monday (September 21st or 22nd). He couldn't do it anymore. I couldn't blame him.
I want to pause in my story to share with you what one of my coworkers shared with me.
Matthew 6:30 - If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?
Matthew 8:26 - He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
Matthew 14:31 - Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Matthew 16:8 - Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?
Matthew 17:20 - He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
10 weeks later, Eaic has been employed for 9 weeks. It's a temporary job with a strong possibility of getting hired in. It's the highest wage he's ever made even as a temp. It's only about a 30 minute drive. It's good.
The mood in our apartment has completely changed. We go on dates. We have upgraded to cable television. We have
Things are looking up.
We celebrated Thanksgiving with bunch of friends.
We are celebrating our anniversary tomorrow (3 years! OMG!).
Christmas and New Years will be happy days spent together.
Oh, us of so little faith. Oh, we who doubted God's providence, God's grace and God's promise to prosper and not harm us. Oh, silly silly us. God is good.
Monday, October 6, 2014
What Am I Afraid Of?
This is a loaded question. I am afraid of so many things I cannot even name. I suppose I'll start with the ones I can name... and see what comes to me?
1) The Dark. This is always the first one that comes to mind. Maybe it's my past experiences in the dark that cause this... maybe it's the scary movies I enjoy... maybe it's the noises that happen only when it's dark... I don't know. However, I hate hate hate hate hate being alone in the dark. I start to hear things. I start to see things.
2) Loneliness. This maybe coincides with #1. It could also be taken to have many deep meanings. I'm afraid of feeling loneliness, but not of being alone (in the light). I enjoy spending time alone and actually need it a little each day, but the feeling of wanting to be with people and not having anyone to be with is frightening to me.
3) God. Maybe it's cliché, but it's true.
Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 - Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
Deuteronomy 10:12 - And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul...
4) Being broke. I was there. I was at the end of my financial rope, in the bottom of the pit and trying to dig my way out. I absolutely never ever ever want to be back there. I pulled myself out and I will continue to stay above that line. No matter what it takes. My budget sheet and plan has been flawless, as long as I stick to it. The problem of sticking to it is pretty much handled by the fear listed above.
1) The Dark. This is always the first one that comes to mind. Maybe it's my past experiences in the dark that cause this... maybe it's the scary movies I enjoy... maybe it's the noises that happen only when it's dark... I don't know. However, I hate hate hate hate hate being alone in the dark. I start to hear things. I start to see things.
2) Loneliness. This maybe coincides with #1. It could also be taken to have many deep meanings. I'm afraid of feeling loneliness, but not of being alone (in the light). I enjoy spending time alone and actually need it a little each day, but the feeling of wanting to be with people and not having anyone to be with is frightening to me.
3) God. Maybe it's cliché, but it's true.
Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 - Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
Deuteronomy 10:12 - And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul...
4) Being broke. I was there. I was at the end of my financial rope, in the bottom of the pit and trying to dig my way out. I absolutely never ever ever want to be back there. I pulled myself out and I will continue to stay above that line. No matter what it takes. My budget sheet and plan has been flawless, as long as I stick to it. The problem of sticking to it is pretty much handled by the fear listed above.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Hunger Action Month - Day 7 - From the Scripture
Today, first let me say that anyone can feed the hungry. Your faith, your background, your gender, your sexual identity, your race, your age, your socioeconomic background... none of those things hinder you from being called to feed the hungry. It's not a Christian/Muslim/Hindu/Jewish/Buddhist/etc problem. It's not an un/educated problem. It's not a male/female problem. It's not a gay/bisexual/transgender/straight problem. It's not a white/black/brown/yellow/green problem. It's not a young/old problem. It's not a poor/wealthy problem. This is a worldwide problem that we absolutely have the ability to transform and we are all a part of this world.
For me, my faith was the first thing to convict me to feed the hungry. I simply cannot call myself a Christian or claim to be a follower of Christ if I do not care for those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, homeless or oppressed. That is my interpretation of my faith, my calling. So, from where do I make these conclusions? Scripture.
First, if I am made in the Lord's image, to do His will, I take special notice in the nature of God's character.
Psalm 146:6-8 - He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous.
There are demands for the care of those who are hungry in Proverbs. Proverbs 25:21 - If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
The prophet Isaiah gives us an example of fasting for the Lord.
Isaiah 58:6-7 - “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
And also gives the Lord's reply to such fasting: Isaiah 58:9b-11 - “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
And probably the most powerful scripture on hunger is when Jesus is sharing about the separation of sheep (those who knew Him) from goats (those whom He did not know). It pretty much speaks for itself, but our Lord and Savior, Jesus, is putting Himself into the flesh and likeness of those worth nothing to society.
Matthew 25:31-46 - “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
"whatever you did for the least of these..., you did for me."
#HungerActionMonth
For me, my faith was the first thing to convict me to feed the hungry. I simply cannot call myself a Christian or claim to be a follower of Christ if I do not care for those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, homeless or oppressed. That is my interpretation of my faith, my calling. So, from where do I make these conclusions? Scripture.
First, if I am made in the Lord's image, to do His will, I take special notice in the nature of God's character.
Psalm 146:6-8 - He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous.
There are demands for the care of those who are hungry in Proverbs. Proverbs 25:21 - If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
The prophet Isaiah gives us an example of fasting for the Lord.
Isaiah 58:6-7 - “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
And also gives the Lord's reply to such fasting: Isaiah 58:9b-11 - “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
And probably the most powerful scripture on hunger is when Jesus is sharing about the separation of sheep (those who knew Him) from goats (those whom He did not know). It pretty much speaks for itself, but our Lord and Savior, Jesus, is putting Himself into the flesh and likeness of those worth nothing to society.
Matthew 25:31-46 - “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
"whatever you did for the least of these..., you did for me."
#HungerActionMonth
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Hunger Action Month - Days 4, 5, 6 - Working Together
#HungerActionMonth - I missed a couple days, so I want to post about three organizations I believe are fighting the good fight against hunger. All of these programs supply food for food pantries and soup kitchens.
Feeding America - feedingamerica.org - This is a national organization with foodbanks in almost all metropolitan areas including both NYC and Grand Rapids, MI. It provides low-cost or free goods to participating soup kitchens and food pantries.
City Harvest - c...ityharvest.org - This is a local NYC organization that collects 50 million pounds annually of produce and good food from restaurants, grocers, farms, and manufacturers, which would otherwise go to waste. They provide us with everything from carrots and frozen pizzas to coffee creamer and pretzels, all for free.
Rock and Wrap It Up - rockandwrapitup.org - This is also a local NYC organization. It collects leftover food from concerts, shows, movie and television productions and more, and then redistributes to soup kitchens for use in their programs. We've received trays of food from productions like Law and Order:SVU, Gotham, Boardwalk Empire and several movies - all for free and all delicious, catered food.
So, for many of us, yesterday was payday? Want an easy way to participate in #HungerActionMonth? Go to one of the above websites and throw in $10. It's not much, no, but it probably won't hurt your budget much and for these organization, $10 can go a long way. City Harvest even claims to be able to provide 40 New Yorkers with food for only $10. Hot diggity dog, that's $0.40/person. Not a bad deal, right?
Feeding America - feedingamerica.org - This is a national organization with foodbanks in almost all metropolitan areas including both NYC and Grand Rapids, MI. It provides low-cost or free goods to participating soup kitchens and food pantries.
City Harvest - c...ityharvest.org - This is a local NYC organization that collects 50 million pounds annually of produce and good food from restaurants, grocers, farms, and manufacturers, which would otherwise go to waste. They provide us with everything from carrots and frozen pizzas to coffee creamer and pretzels, all for free.
Rock and Wrap It Up - rockandwrapitup.org - This is also a local NYC organization. It collects leftover food from concerts, shows, movie and television productions and more, and then redistributes to soup kitchens for use in their programs. We've received trays of food from productions like Law and Order:SVU, Gotham, Boardwalk Empire and several movies - all for free and all delicious, catered food.
So, for many of us, yesterday was payday? Want an easy way to participate in #HungerActionMonth? Go to one of the above websites and throw in $10. It's not much, no, but it probably won't hurt your budget much and for these organization, $10 can go a long way. City Harvest even claims to be able to provide 40 New Yorkers with food for only $10. Hot diggity dog, that's $0.40/person. Not a bad deal, right?
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