No, not the whole comparison thing. I'm kinda in a good place with all that. I mean, there will always be someone more __________ than me. Have more ____________ than me. And that's OK. Because I am where I am because He wants me there... with Him. Sittin' right here. And if He's sittin' with me who am I to complain?
No, not that. There's just a lot. (And bear with me 'cuz you're gonna need tissues if you're gonna click on these links.)
There's the public stuff found on my newsfeed....
A beautiful 29 year old woman choosing to end her life before cancer does.
(and the be story of another woman, a mother of four young children, also dying of cancer pleading with her about her choice.)
The couple who lovingly planned a 'bucket list' for their unborn child meeting him face to face and saying goodbye to him this very morning.
.... and the private stuff of those around me. Friends of friends, family of family... dealing with things that we were never designed in mind to deal with.
I find myself with no words...
I find myself with no words...
....and all I can think is Romans 12:15
(Let's all pretend this is a self portrait, OK?)
I used to struggle with the first half SO MUCH. So very much. But the longer I experience adult life the more I can see His blessings. (more in hindsight than I'd like to admit) I've learned to rejoice with those who rejoice. Truly. Some days may be harder than others... I'm 95% of the way there.
So I rejoice with those who rejoice. Which we all can agree is fun, once you get there. Sharing in their new jobs and new vehicles and new pets and new babies.
We bounce around through life, accumulating children and homes and vehicles and stuff.....And adulthood rolls on...
...and the children get older,
...and our parents get older,
...and we get older.
Things happen. Real things.
And what do we do then? What do we do when we're not enough to help our kids, or our parents, or ourselves?
We weep.
We sit with, eat with, cry with, pray with those around us. We either weep because they're happening to us or weeping at the helplessness that comes with watching our friends suffer. The real face-to-face friends and the ones that we've adopted in our hearts.
When we really weep with those who weep, it doesn't stop when they've walked away from the dining room table. It's so much more and so much harder than that. It's hard to see those we love, those we've rejoiced with only what seems like moments before, suffer. To see the unsaid question of "Why would God, who says He loves me, do this?" in their eyes. To know we have no answers. We take that burden and wear it ourselves. For them and, because of our human nature, for us. Snuggling with our children a little longer. Calling our parents "just because". Making that appointment for the long postponed "yearly" physical. Looking at our spouse simply to see the person we fell in love with years ago.
So you know what? I'll stay on facebook. I'll post the silly things of my day (Because if I get a laugh out of it, you should too!) and the fun things and the awareness things....
...and I'll like the photo of your sweet goofy kids.
...and I'll commiserate with you as you share your struggles through yet another school day.
...and I'll "Wooo-hoo" your trip to Trader Joe's. ('cuz it's about stinkin' time we got one!!)
...and I'll tear up at the announcement of your pet passing.
... and I'll smile at the family fun you are having on a random Tuesday.
... and I'll smile at the family fun you are having on a random Tuesday.
... and I'll sit with and pray for you as you face something you never thought would happen to you and yours.
I'll rejoice with those of your rejoicing.
I'll weep with those of you weeping.
Even when it's hard.
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