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November 16, 2007
When Others Struggle
I only have a few minutes today, there is SO much to do. We're getting ready for another marathon trip- and that involves megapacking. On Saturday, we are meeting AGAIN with the future employer to nail down the specifics and hopefully get everything in writing so we can move forward with this move. Then, I'm spending a week with the kids at my parents house. So it's a busy day today.
But before I get to all that, I wanted to blog. My internet connection was spotty yesterday, so when I got up this morning and it worked, I had a lot of catching up to do. I love reading my favorite blogs as the kids eat breakfast and I drink my coffee. It's like my morning paper and a chat with friends all rolled into one. Most of the time, the news is funny and informative. Even the daily routines of other people cheer me. But sometimes, it's not a good day for news. Sometimes, the news is enough to break your heart.
It seems that so many of my friends and family are struggling financially right now. I can feel the full weight of that anxiety, that depression, that desperate desire to trust God but not knowing how to do that in the face of such grim circumstances. Been there, done that. Or rather, AM there, DOING that. So I get it, I really, really do. And I wish more than anything that I could help. When I read about a friend skipping meals so her children have more to eat, nothing in the world would bring me more joy than to write out a check RIGHT this instant, and be the means that God uses to provide for this week. Another friend, whose husband is out of work and is trying, trying to trust God but struggling... oh how I wish I could reach out and hug her. To see these troubles, and to really "get" it, but be helpless to aid them, it's heartbreaking.
Financial worries I understand, but when it crosses into health issues, well, it certainly puts things in perspective. I read a post from a fellow blogger this morning about her husband's cancer, and how they are looking into hospices now... oh, God. I pray for comfort and peace for them... I don't even know WHAT to pray. Saying goodbye to your lifelong love, oh my heart. That hurts.
I've told them all I'll be praying for them, and I really mean it. I will be. I hope that means something to them, that it lets them know they are cared for, that they're not alone. I hope they know it means they are remembered, their problems matter, and that their names are whispered into the Almighty's ear every day.
One day, maybe I'll be able to do more. That's my prayer, that one day God will allow us to be tools in other people's lives. That He'll give us the blessing and honor of being in a position to make a monetary difference. What a joy that would be! But I am no less content with being the one to hug, because that is a calling as well.
Anyway... those are my thought today. I realize they were a bit blue, but it is what it is. Remember those who are suffering around you today. Pray that God opens your eyes to the needs of others. Minister to those He leads in your path, even if it means just offering up prayers, and pointing back to Him. Encourage one another, lift each other up...
Okay, I'll stop before this turns into Chicken Soup for the Soul.
Have a wonderful weekend, everybody. I'll be back on Monday.
The Daily | By WonderGirl | 10:30 AM
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Comments
(((((((hugs))))))... oh, how i know that feeling, that heartache... that empathy... that yearning to help... I pray every day that God will use me somehow to make a difference in the lives of the people I come into contact with... that He will let me be an encourager, a prayer warrior, a provider... and mostly it seems the best I can do is pray... and while I know that's the single biggest gift I can give, it "seems" so little... I guess because it's so intangible... I want to do... to fix... and most often I'm not in a position to do... I'm reminded that when I lift someone in prayer, I'm really carrying them on a pallet of prayer, up to the rooftop, and lowering them down through the ceiling to where Jesus was teaching inside... (remember that story?)... but even knowing that, I still can't help my heart breaking when I know someone is going hungry... or in pain... or without... and a simple matter of money could ease the way... I'm praying for the ones I know of... and for yours, too... loving you... and praying for you always...
Posted by: spiderlillies at November 16, 2007 1:28 PM
How do you know the Lord is not using you just as you are?
Posted by: Cousin at November 16, 2007 3:22 PM
Thank you very much for your prayers, they DO mean a lot to us. We have been so blessed to have been given this "extra" time. I cannot imagine what my life will be like, and if I try, the grief pang that hits my chest is overwhelming. I do not know how people who do not believe in God deal with something like this. To not have that faith and hope, well, it's so "hopeless". I would not be able to put one foot in front of the other, if God was not in my life. And the only fear that my loved one has is the hurt and pain that our family will have. So, we are going to cry often, but we are going to do our best to laugh often, too. And I am kind of scared financially, too. This is totally new territory for me, after almost 33 years of marriage. But I don't have to figure that out this weekend, so I am just going to put it out of my mind and concentrate on David.
Thanks again for your prayers and kind words.
Posted by: tricia at November 16, 2007 9:48 PM
Thank you so much. Your friendship, thoughts, prayers, and love are the gifts that you give us, and we couldn't ask for more. I only hope that we can give back what you have given to us. Much love to you and your sweet family.
Posted by: erica at November 16, 2007 9:58 PM
we are never so close to Christ as when we carry our cross. for with the suffering comes an even greater reward in heaven. :)
Posted by: katie at November 18, 2007 1:22 PM
