Compassion for our neighbors, family, friends, and the stranger that you just cut off, ignored, laughed at, or just didn't pray for today because we're too caught up in our own issues. Everybody has them, and none of us are exempt from them. How we choose to deal with it though is the difference. I often can get caught up in my own issues and wonder "don't you understand my son may not make it thru his teenage years; there's no cure or treatment for NF". "Don't you understand, we don't have any food in the fridge and I had to go to the food pantry for the first time in my life; I need a job"............all of this only to strengthen me for what is about to come. I have been granted and allowed to be in this very family to build my faith, strength, courage and most of all love for others. I have endured and will be challenged with more; as God see's fit. A reward, compliment, promotion, or whatever you want to call it; but God must think I'm "able and good enough" to take it on.
I don't like it sometimes. It's much easier to crawl back under the covers and not face any of it. Its easy being depressed; I can excuse it, not worry about it, throw it off to the side; but then it drains all of my energy to be depressed; now it's too hard. I just want to be happy! Ok, I have a choice; it's not everyone else's job to make me happy. I need to find my happiness in another form than from the people in my life........where do you find yours? Most people really are selfish, and only care about their own lives.......really!
My eyes were opened when I saw the tent in the woods; on a sub zero degree day. A man (I'm going to call Jesus) only in a fleece jacket walks from a McDonald's dumpster across the street thru the field and into the balding trees to his now called home. A tent. How long has he had to live there? Is he warm enough? How many are there with him? How did he get to this place in his life? When's the last time he got to take a bath?What else might be wrong? Does he need a doctor? Is he starving? So many questions in the blink of my eye while I ride in my warm van that I gripe about needing to get rid of on the way back to my warm house with running water, etc. But see, Jesus was thankful; he had shelter, food, and clothing.
Does he not have any friends or family? Then I thought; if I got to a place where I didn't have a home, would I ask someone? Would I really be able to tell them? No, really would you be able? Its not a question of pride as much as it is; are there people that really care enough not to care to help take care of you until you can do it on your own again? People don't want to be bothered, or their finances tightened to really help out. Thoughts to ponder........when you think you're about to die in your circumstance..............
Ok God, what is my purpose; and why did I see this picture? That's between me and God and I do not need to share; but I ask you........when you think you are about to die in your situation; just look and behold another life; and be thankful, giving, and most of all in prayer that you can help someone out of that place that they are in or add to what they have/need. Why are we so busy that we just pass everyone by? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!
