When the Road Gets Harder: Chronic Illness, Lent, and Faith

I didn’t expect this chapter to unfold so soon. I mean, I thought I just shared all there was to share in this post about my diagnosis.
But here I am—walking through more tests, more questions, and trusting God with a heart that feels both heavy and quietly hopeful.

The past week has been a blur of appointments, test results, and a few surprises I didn’t see coming. An abnormal 72-hour EEG. You know that feeling when the kids finally go to bed and you can relax? Well… apparently that doesn’t happen in my brain. (It’s okay to laugh—I did too.) My alpha waves are basically non-existent. I flunked my neurocognitive memory test. A new word on my chart: encephalopathy. High autoimmune titers. A surprise ER visit. And just to keep things interesting… my thyroid results came back abnormal, and I need a biopsy.

All of this—in the past seven days. I can’t make this stuff up.
At this point, I’m just waiting for someone to hand me a crown and a sash that says Miss Mystery Diagnosis 2025. 👑

It’s a lot. On top of a lot.

But the timing isn’t lost on me. It’s Lent—a season of sacrifice, surrender, and reflection. And maybe this year, my offering isn’t something I chose to give up—but something I’ve been asked to carry.

I keep coming back to this truth:
He does not give us more than we can handle.

This cross—though unexpected and painful—is not without purpose.
I’ve been clinging to faith in new ways. It doesn’t make the path easier, but it reminds me that I’m not walking it alone.

And tomorrow is my birthday. Another year older, yes—but also a little stronger. A little more grounded. A little more at peace with the unknown.

I have my moments… but I really am okay.
Our chickens, ducklings, goslings, and bunnies are crushing it with their cuteness. The kids and I are outside every day—soaking up the sunshine. Wait until you see what I bought myself for my birthday. (Hint: it’s for the goslings and it involves a slide.)

If you’re walking a hard road too, I see you.
We may not choose the crosses we carry, but we can choose how we carry them—with grace, with faith, and with the quiet courage to keep going, even when it’s hard.

The second pic proves it—I’m officially a crazy chicken lady, and honestly? I’ve never felt more me. 💛