But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing (2 Corinthians 2:14-15).

Each year in January, I write out goals that I have for growth in my character. In January of 1998, I wrote down thirteen areas of my life that I prayed the Lord would help me improve in that year. In December of 1998, as I was reviewing those goals, I realized the Lord had done some work in every single area I had listed! I was blown away as I realized that the Lord had used my chemical injury in February of 1998 as a catalyst to prune me in a lot of areas that needed it. After realizing this, I said, "Thank you God for my chemical injury!" I quickly caught myself, realizing what I had just said. If you would’ve asked me in February, if I would ever be able to thank God for the chemical injury I’d just experienced, I would’ve said, "No way! What good could ever come out of something so traumatic?" Well, I can honestly say today that I am thankful for the chemical injury I experienced. I’m not thankful for the pain, but I am thankful for the tremendous things God has done through it.

Back in the winter of 1998, all four of my parent’s children flew down to Palm Springs to visit my folks on separate occasions. All of the siblings except me had normal, uneventful flights down there. The one daughter who is chemically sensitive ( me) ended up on a flight that was caught in an El Nino storm, and had to be re-routed to Ontario. Due to a malfunction on the plane, I ended up ingesting some large doses of toxic fuel, resulting in my chemical injury. Afterward, this did not make sense to me. I believe God is sovereign, and could’ve prevented me from getting on this particular flight, so why did He let this happen? All my brothers and sisters who are healthy ended up with the normal flights. It just didn’t seem fair to me.

Well, of course this addresses the age old question of "Why does God allow pain and suffering?" I believe one of the reasons is to refine our character, helping us become the person he created us to be. Well, I’d like to share a couple of good things that have happened in my life as a result of the chemical injury. Prior to my chemical injury, I had exceedingly high expectations of myself. I felt I had to be the perfect wife, the perfect mom, the perfect friend, the perfect daughter, and on and on it went. I realize now, I was my own worst enemy. The Lord has shown me that His expectations for me are far different than my own. Matthew 11:28-30 says,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn form me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Prior to my injury, I was running so fast, trying to be the perfect "everything" to everybody. God has shown me I needed to simplify my life greatly. Our society is so busy trying to achieve that we often don’t have adequate time for what really counts in life. This year has brought some major changes in my life. The Lord has brought a beautiful "angel" into my life by the name of Brenda Ries. This past year she has been an instrumental tool in filling in the gaps in my family’s life where we needed help. She helps me with my housework and errands, and she also helps my husband with his business. The Lord has also provided several women from Cedar Park Christian School that have been willing to relieve me of my carpooling duties. Because of these changes, it has allowed me to simplify my life, and spend more quality time focusing on my family. I feel like I have gotten really close to my children because I have had more time to spend with them. Since I don’t have a lot of energy, sometimes I just go lay on their bed and hang out with them while they read, do their homework, play or whatever. Just spending more time being with them has brought a closeness to them I had never experienced before.

Another positive change the Lord has brought about in my life this past year has to do with my view of myself. I used to feel like a failure if I didn’t have a lot of energy and wasn’t producing a lot. I now realize that even if I had to lay in bed the rest of my life and accomplish nothing, God would still love me and value me greatly. My works are not what He’s looking for—it’s my heart He’s most concerned with. 2 Corinthians 12:9 – 10 says this:

In the area of friendships, I used to think people would only want to be a friend to me if I was strong and capable. This past year, the opposite has proven to be true. In my time of weakness, the Lord has brought several new friends into my life—people who accept me just as I am and have served me unconditionally. What a healing thing that has been for me!

My fear of the future is another area of my life the Lord has dealt with this past year. Since my husband contracted melanoma skin cancer two years ago, I have often been afraid of how I would ever be able to raise my children in the midst of having MCS should he ever pass away. Seeing how the Lord provided for me through this whole chemical injury this past year has really boosted my confidence in the Lord’s faithfulness to take care of me through the difficult times. The Lord has literally "blown me away" with all the ways He’s provided for my needs this past year when I spent much of my time in bed, unable to do a whole lot. I now realize I am not indispensable. God can provide others to help me where I need it.

In closing, I would like to challenge all of you to look for positive changes in your life that have occurred as a result of the battles you’ve faced with MCS. One of my favorite Bible characters is Joseph, because he was a man who experienced tremendous unjust suffering, yet was able to see the good that came out of it. On one occasion, he was thrown into a pit by his brothers and left to die due to their jealousy of him. On another occasion he was thrown unjustly into prison due to false accusations against him. Later in his life, as he looked back on all his circumstances, he could see how God has used his suffering for ultimate good. He eventually became a leader in the land where he lived, and he was able to save many people from a famine. He eventually told his brothers who had left him to die,

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Genesis 50:20)

I wonder how many of us may help save people’s health or lives by our efforts to educate people about the potential dangers of chemicals. I feel all of us have opportunities to make a positive impact on society due to our suffering with MCS. This next year, let’s make it our goal to allow our suffering to accomplish good in our lives and the lives of others!

In a world that rejects many of the needs of MCS victims, the pastor and elders at my church have shown God’s love in standing up for the rights of MCS sufferers! My pastor has put an announcement in the weekly church bulletin which says,

"Chemical Sensitivity: Please refrain from wearing perfume or cologne when attending services out of courtesy to those who are allergic to or made ill by these products." "Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or stumbling block in a brother’s way." Romans 14:13

I feel in doing this, the pastor and elders are living out the principle found in Psalm 82:3 which says,

Putting this announcement in the bulletin has been a tremendous blessing to me and to others in my church who are made ill by perfume. It has allowed me to continue to

attend church when I have the energy. THANK YOU PASTOR MARTY AND THE ELDERS AT CCB!

Most of my life I have been an overachiever, so it was a real blessing for me to hear a quote the other day on the Focus on the Family radio broadcast which said, "It is no longer necessary to keep up with the Jones family—they’ve died of exhaustion!" Wow, what a relief that was to me!

The suffering is great

But I will not be filled with hate.

There’s a better way you see

To cope effectively.

I was angry for awhile

Wondering how I would go the next mile

But then God spoke to me

And said, "My daughter, trust me."

I’ve given my life to Him

And will someday reign with Him.

No more sorrow will there be

What a blessing that will be!

This illness is so cruel

But my life it will not rule

For I have hope beyond this life

Where there will be no more striving and strife.

I have peace in the midst of pain

As I look forward to heavenly gain.

With Jesus someday I will be

To live with Him eternally.

I would like to close this newsletter in a prayer. For any of you who wish to, feel free to pray along with me as you read this prayer:

"Father, I lift up all those with MCS who are reading this newsletter right now, asking you to strengthen and encourage them in whatever situation they may find themselves in. Help them through the challenges that MCS brings to their lives. For those who have lost their hope, restore their hope. Show them how they can strengthen their bodies that you have created.

I also ask that you would raise up some people in powerful positions in this country who would stand up for the rights of those with MCS, so that we may have access to safe housing, neighborhoods, and other public places. We cannot do this alone, and we need your strength and power to help us in our fight for safe air to breathe, and safe places to go. I pray that laws would be passed throughout this country and around the world, that would help us achieve that goal. We need you, Lord, and we look to you now for help. We thank you for all you have done for us in our lives and are continuing to do. Thank you that we can come to you with our needs and requests. In Jesus’ mighty name! AMEN."

I wish all of you the best in your MCS journeys.  Together we can make a difference! If any of you wish to e-mail me, my address is: aroma@ridingsinc.com.

 Copyright © 1998 Janine M. Ridings

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